7.2. SR 05-21-2018 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Project Narrative Detailed description/scope of project What is being proposed? I would like to keep up to 8 hives of bees on my property to use as pollinators for recently planted fruit trees and maybe get a little honey as a bonus, nothing commercial. I live at 21268 York 5t NW (Parcel Ia: 75-505-0144) on 4.21 acres zoned R -1a. I would like approval far 8 hives, although my intent is to run two sets of hives following that University of MN Bee lab's strategy of splitting and re -queening each spring. I would start with 2 hives in population building mode for the first season. After the first winter, I would split both (now 4 hives total) and have the two old queens (with high populations) be honey producing hives and the two new splits that were re -queened be building up. Over the next winter the old hives would be left to die off and the new splits become the two old hives. This cycle then continues year after year. The request for 8 hives allows flexibility if a population grows too fast or if a colony starts becoming aggressive. I can split and re -queen, and then allow the original colony to die off over winter to start in spring with two strong hives to split. How is the request consistent with City of Elk River Comprehensive plan? Based on my understanding of the Comprehensive Plan plus borrowing some words from previous Planning Commission submissions, Elis River strives to be a leader in sustainability practices including native plantings, greenspace and natural resources manamgement. Bees area key part of agricultural products and pollination of fruits, vegetables, flowers and plans. Also Beekeeping is included in the Green Step Cities Best Practices plan for city sustainability. As a bonus, bees can contribute to sustainable food choices through honey production. Honey bees are currently classified as agricultural animals, but given their size and behavior some of the city codes do not apply. Below is a listing of applicable codes and my interpretation of how they apply to bees. Section 30-1: Bees are classified as agricultural animals. Section 30-803.e.1: Agricultural animals in R -1a on parcels less than 5 acres require a conditional use permit. There was recently some effort to put city code changes in place for beekeeping, but it has been tabled with one of the main concerns being beekeeping on smaller lot sizes. Since my parcel is close to the 5 acres threshold, is located in a more rural setting, and I am only requesting a small number of hives I believe my request falls into the spirit of the regulations. Section 30-803.e.2: Number of animal units allowed is based on per acre of fenced pasture land.