Agenda Packets - 2015/08/03 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Item No: 3 Meeting Date: August 3, 2015 Type of Business: Work Session City of Mounds View Staff Report To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: James Ericson, City Administrator Item Title/Subject: Review Possible Code Amendment Relating to Honey Bees Introduction: At the June and July work sessions, the Council discussed the possibility of amending the City Code to allow backyard beekeeping. Residents and beekeeping experts from the University of Minnesota and Century College have attended the meetings, encouraging the Council to amend the Code to remove “honeybees” from the list of prohibited farm animals, as was done recently for chickens and ducks. Discussion A growing number of cities in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, including St. Paul and Minneapolis, allow backyard beekeeping, often in conjunction with a permit or license. Other cities have become “bee friendly” as more attention is being paid to the perils associated with colony collapse disorder and the impacts to pollination as bee populations decline. Supporters of backyard beekeeping point out that honey bees are often confused with more aggressive hornets or wasps. Beekeepers raise bees primarily as a means to enjoy a fresh and organic supply of honey. Opponents of backyard beekeeping, similar to opponents of backyard chickens, often suggest that beehives do not belong in a residential neighborhood, but rather at farms or agriculturally zoned lands. In addition, residents may have serious allergies such that placement of backyard hives nearby may pose an unacceptable risk to them. At the July work session, a resident suggested Council members visit an operating hive to get a better understanding of the impacts associated with the honeybees and hives. At this writing, Council member Meehlhause has visited a nearby hive and can respond to his observations. If the Council were to consider amending the Code to allow backyard beekeeping, a number of conditions could be incorporated, such as the following: • No more than two hives per property (unless lot larger than ½ acre) • Hives shall be set back 10 feet from a property line and from dwellings • Hives shall be located only in backyards • Water source shall be provided, best management practices observed • Beekeepers would be required to obtain a license and demonstrate proof of training • Permit or license can be revoked/denied by the Council in case of nuisance The City Council has reviewed a number of other cities’ ordinances concerning honey bees. Many of the ordinances are quite extensive and may be more than what is needed; some cities allow honey bees without any permit, license or requirement. Perhaps finding a middle ground as a starting point would be more appropriate.