7.4. SR 05-21-2018 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Request for Action To Item Number Planning Commission 6.4 Agenda section Meeting Date Prepared by Public Hearin March 27, 2018 BrieAnna Simon, Planner Item Description Reviewed by ■ Ordinance Amendment relating to beekeeping, Zack Carlton, Planning Manager Case No. OA 18-04 Reviewed by Action Requested Recommend, by motion, approval of an ordinance amendment modifying regulations related to the keeping of bees. Backgrou nd1D iscussio n Each year staff receives numerous calls pertaining to the keeping on honey bees. Unfortunately the current ordinance is vague regarding bees and they are lumped into the agricultural animal category at 1 animal unit per acre, this would permit 4 million bees per acre of fenced pasture land. The current ordinances also does not provide additional guidance related to the location of hives or safety regulations intended to protect other residents. In preparing the proposed ordinance, staff reviewed honey bee regulations of a number of other Minnesota cities that permit the keeping of honey bees and attended the University of Minnesota `Beekeeping in Northern Climates Year 1' class to develop a proposed ordinance, see attached. Due to concerns with bee allergies and public opinions related to bee keeping, the ordinance is necessary to help ensure the safety of all residents. The primary concerns identified during staff's research and analysis are bee stings and swarms. To address these concerns, staff has proposed a number of regulations to protect residents. Bee Allergies In the United States (US) there are 3,600 different species of bees, with 425 located in the state of Minnesota. Of the bee species located in the US, approximately 0.0003 percent of these bees are honey bees. The most commonly identified bees in Minnesota are honey bees, bumble bees, yellow jacket wasps, and baldfaced hornets. Bee allergies are typically developed towards a specific species of bee verses all bees. According the University of Minnesota, only approximately 3 percent of the entire population will develop a severe reaction to honey bees. To reduce the interaction between honey bees and neighboring properties or residents, staff proposes the following regulations: • Except as othenvise provided in this Section, in each instance where any part of a hive is kept within taventy-five feet of a lot lanae of the apiary site, a flyway Garnier of at least six feet in heaght must be constructed. The Elk River Vision A melcoming communi y with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity PDME0E0 sr NATURE