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<br />The Elk River Vision <br />A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional <br />service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity <br />Request for Action <br /> <br /> <br />To <br />Planning Commission <br />Item Number <br />7.1 <br />Agenda Section <br />Work Session <br />Meeting Date <br />February 27, 2018 <br />Prepared by <br />BrieAnna Simon, Planner <br />Item Description <br /> Ordinance Amendment – Beekeeping <br />Regulations <br />Reviewed by <br />Zack Carlton, Planning Manager <br />Reviewed by <br /> <br /> <br />Action Requested <br />Review and discuss the proposed beekeeping ordinance. <br /> <br />Background/Discussion <br />The proposed amendment will regulate the keeping of honey bees on residential properties in all zoning <br />districts. Due to the increased concern with bee allergies, this ordinance is important to help ensure the <br />safety of residents. <br /> <br />Staff has received a number of calls pertaining to the keeping of honey bees on residential properties. The <br />current ordinance does not clearly define standards for the keeping of honey bees but permits 4 million <br />bees per one acre of fenced pasture land. The current ordinance does not provide any additional <br />information on the location of hives or other safety measures. <br /> <br />Staff evaluated a number of other Minnesota cities that permit the keeping of honey bees to develop a <br />proposed ordinance, see attached. <br /> <br />The Planning Commission is asked to review the proposed bee keeping ordinance, for clarity and <br />understandability. <br /> <br />Financial Impact <br />None <br /> <br />Attachments <br /> Proposed Beekeeping Ordinance <br /> Environmental Beekeeping Memorandum <br />