WORKSHOP ITEM - Lori Johnson, City Planner
Title
POTENTIAL EXPANSION OF BEEKEEPING TO SINGLE FAMILY DISTRICTS
Background
Staff report prepared by Elizabeth Showalter
At the July 6, 2020 City Council meeting, residents spoke during the open forum requesting the city allow for the keeping of honey bees in residential areas within the city. The council requested staff prepare a report for an upcoming workshop.
Currently the city allows for bees as farm animals within the Farm Residential and Agriculture zoning districts. The Farm Residential district is primarily located in the northeast area and generally serves as a placeholder zoning district for land anticipated to be developed in the future. Only one property in the city has Agricultural zoning and it is currently an active farm protected from development as an agricultural preserve. Farm animals are not permitted in the R-1 or other suburban style single family districts.
Resident Request
The residents of Ham Lake and Blaine that spoke at the July 6, 2020 meeting expressed their support for beekeeping including the benefits of bees and honey in general. They indicated that most stings are not due to honeybees but instead are due to wasps, hornets, or ground bees and therefore beekeeping does not present a safety concern to neighboring properties. Additionally, they argued that most cities in Minnesota do not have any regulations regarding beekeeping. Lastly, they argued that beekeeping is expensive and therefore few people within the city would keep bees if they were allowed. One resident spoke during the open forum and was in favor of beekeeping, but wanted to have an approval process similar to native lawns and expressed concerns regarding the impact to neighbors that makes beekeeping different than backyard chickens.
Concerns about Beekeeping
Beekeeping is not generally expected in typical suburban style residential areas and comes with several potential impacts to neighboring properties. The vast majority of suburbs in the Twin Cities metro either limit bees to agricultural areas or have some sort of permitting process with standards to reduce impacts to neighboring properties. Rural and exurban communities, like Ham Lake, commonly do not have restrictions on beekeeping. The primary concerns regarding urban beekeeping are:
1. Swarming of bees where a large number of bees will leave the hive and may travel a significant distance. Bees in a swarm are more likely to be aggressive and humans may be more likely to panic and act in a way the bees may perceive as a threat.
2. Individual bees may leave the owners property in search of water or nectar, which may be mitigated by adequate provision of water and flowering plants on the property.
3. Bee stings present a safety and quality of life issue for neighboring residents, especially those with bee allergies.
4. Bees generate noise that may be considered an annoyance for neighboring property owners.
5. Honeybees are not a native species and may harm native bees by competing for habitat and resources and through the spread of disease.
Beekeeping in Other Cities
When considering ordinance amendments, staff generally considers the ordinances in cities of similar size and development stage (Woodbury, Maple Grove, and Plymouth) and neighboring cities. Woodbury, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Coon Rapids, and Lino Lakes do not allow bees, or limit them to agricultural areas.
If the city council wants to expand beekeeping within the city, the following ordinances from nearby cities may be considered to develop standards:
Circle Pines/Lexington (both cities have adopted the same ordinance)
1. One time license required
2. Minimum lot size of one-half acre
3. Maximum of two colonies
4. 25-foot setback from all property lines
5. Completion of University of Minnesota training class
Fridley
1. Annual license required
2. Notice is set to all residents within 200 feet. Application is denied if any respondent has a honeybee allergy.
3. Maximum of two colonies
4. Rear yard only, 30 foot setback from all property lines
5. Water source must be provided within 10 feet of each colony
6. Completion of University of Minnesota training class
Andover*
1. License required (2 year renewal cycle)
2. Maximum of two colonies
3. 25-foot setback from property lines, 125 foot setback from neighboring principle structure
4. Hedge required when hives are closer than 50 feet from property lines
5. Notice sent to properties within 125 feet
6. Water source must be provided
*standards for properties less than two acres in size, properties over two acres in size have lesser requirement
Recommendation
Consider whether the council wants to initiate a code amendment to expand beekeeping outside of agricultural areas, and if so, what approval process and standards should be required.