[0:22] Chairperson: Call the meeting order on behalf of the planning commission. I'd like to welcome our residents and viewers to this regular meeting of August 12th, 2025. On tonight's agenda, it's relatively short. [1:01] We have one public hearing. Before we get into the public hearing, we have one housekeeping item, and that would be the minutes from our regular meeting of July 8th. Are there any additions or corrections to those minutes? If not, is there a motion? [1:16] Commissioner: Motion approved. [1:17] Chairperson: We have a motion for approval. Is there a second? [1:18] Commissioner: I'll second. [1:19] Chairperson: Motion and second. All in favor say I. Minutes are approved. Thank you. With that, then we'll open up the public hearing. This is a public hearing on a new ordinance. Uh the ordinance number is 2025-006 and it's really on beekeeping. Um and it's an ordinance for residential lots. And Jared, you're going to take this. [1:35] Jared (Staff): Yes, I will. Thank you, chair. Planning Commission members. Uh staff is pleased uh to present ordinance 2025-006 um an ordinance related to beekeeping. Um and just kind of give a quick background on how uh we got here. Uh so roughly a year ago, um last August in 2024, uh the commission held an initial discussion um regarding potential beekeeping ordinance for residential lots uh smaller than 2 and 1/2 acres. Uh this discussion was prompted by a request from a resident who wishes uh to be a beekeeper and keep bees on their property. Um currently under the current city code, beekeeping is prohibited um on residential lots smaller than 2 and a half acres. Therefore, a code amendment um is needed to permit such activity. Uh [2:24] the planning commission did express interest um and has had multiple discussions uh since this date um relayed back in February of earlier this year, April and in June. Um, and these discussions, um, ranged from comparing surrounding city's ordinances, um, to presenting draft ordinance language and working through, uh, what the commission, um, would like to see. So, tonight, uh, the final draft ordinance is, um, in front of the commission for a public hearing and a recommendation to city council for approval. And I'll just go through an over or a quick detailed overview of what is within the beekeeping ordinance itself. Uh, so the ordinance contains a definition section. [3:04] Um it includes an administrative permit that must be applied for and approved by staff. Uh this approved permit would be valid for one year and must be renewed annually. Uh this initial permit fee will be $100 with the renewal fee of being $40. This is modeled after our urban chicken um ordinance. Um and then adjacent property owners will be notified of an approved permit. Um with this application, uh applicants will need to submit a detailed site plan. Um, this must show where the hives will be kept, including setbacks, any proposed barriers or screening, etc. Uh, applicants must also submit proof of completion of a beekeeping's basic course or or three or more years of beekeeping experience. Uh, the hives will be only allowed to be located in the rear yard. Uh, they are allowed um [3:52] the number of hives, I should say, is determined by the lot size itself. Um, in terms of setbacks, they'll be 20 ft from lot lines, 30 feet from adjacent decks, patios, swimming pools, or other outdoor living space. If the adjacent property is a storm water pond or wellin area, uh, this step back shall be reduced to 5 ft from the property line. [4:12] Um, a fly a flyway barrier will be required if hives are are kept within 25 ft of a lot line or 35 ft from adjacent decks, patio, swimming pools, or other outdoor living space. Uh this barrier either must run parallel to the lot line uh for at least 10 ft in both directions in front or can be in front of the hive entrance or a flyway barrier may be placed to surround the hive on three sides. Um inspections will be required upon issuance of the permit and each time a renewal permit uh is received. Uh the hive shall be kept in good condition and colonies shall be continuously managed to prevent swarming. Uh when it comes to termination, uh permits will be terminated if expired and no renewal permit was received. There's a violation of the ordinance of the or of the permit itself is occurring. Uh failure to allow [4:57] an inspection, transfer of ownership of the property, or if a public nuisance is occurring. Uh hives that aren't removed um after a permit is terminated will be deemed a public nuisance and may be abated by the city. uh these hives will need to be removed within 5 days of notice, but an alternative time frame may be approved um if necessary by the planning department. So, the action requested before the commission tonight is to recommend the city council approve and adopt ordinance 2025-006. [5:28] Chairperson: Thank you, Jared. This is a public hearing. Um just to acknowledge that uh we have one resident in the audience. Did you have any comments or questions regarding this new ordinance at this time? [5:44] Resident: I do not. Thank you. [5:45] Chairperson: Not at this time. All right. With that, then we'll bring it back to the commission table and we'll start with Commissioner Berg, our B expert. [5:51] Commissioner Berg: No, this uh you know, this has been a lot of work. We've had a lot of conversation around it. I think we've all landed in a good spot where we're all happy with how this turned out, including me. So, yeah, great job, Derek. [6:04] Chairperson: Commissioner Snowback, [6:05] Commissioner Snowback: I have nothing to add. Thanks Jerry for all your work and and thanks for bringing it forward and giving us some ideas on on uh how we can go forward with uh creating some ordinances for it. So thank you [6:15] Chairperson: Commissioner Tesy. [6:16] Commissioner Tesy: Uh likewise I don't have any additional comments. So [6:20] Chairperson: Commissioner Winshuttle [6:21] Commissioner Winshuttle: I have none. Thank you. And and just as the rest of the commissioners has mentioned, um this commission has with staff and also a local resident who is extremely knowledgeable in his field has have discussed this oh several times more than several times I'll even say and it's through a lot of work. But you know I will say this is a new ordinance for this community. I mean it isn't we we haven't had one. So, um, this is a way that I feel that it's it's going to help provide some controls and to help monitor those people that do it because it is happening in this community already and we just, you know, have people that are inquiring about it and and people that want some direction on how best to to do it in accordance with, you know, what's necessary. Um, so once the commission makes a decision, though, that's not the final one. the council will still need to discuss it, discuss it, and our city council will still need to approve this. So, we're just one step in the process. And so, if a a resident that may be watching this has some questions or concern, they can certainly call staff um because this might be going to the city council sooner rather than later, Jared. [7:35] Jared (Staff): Correct. Yep. It's planned to go to council uh next Monday. [7:37] Chairperson: Okay. So, if if there are some questions or comments, hopefully they can get in touch uh sometime this week with you still. Absolutely. so you can help resolve those. So, I have no concerns or questions about this at this time. Um, again, we'll pass it on to our city council and and see what their um reaction is to a B ordinance. Um, so with that, then I'd look for a motion to close a public hearing. [8:04] Commissioner: Motion. [8:05] Chairperson: We have a motion. Is there a second? [8:06] Commissioner: A second. [8:07] Chairperson: Motion and second to close a public hearing. Call the role, please. [8:07] Clerk: Winshuttle, [8:08] Commissioner Winshuttle: yes. [8:09] Clerk: Tesy, [8:10] Commissioner Tesy: yes. [8:11] Clerk: Rody, [8:12] Commissioner Rody: yes. [8:13] Commissioner Snowback: yes. [8:14] Commissioner Berg: yes. [8:15] Chairperson: front of the commission then is a recommendation to our city council on ordinance 2025-006 um dealing with beekeeping ordinance for residential lots. Is there a motion? [8:27] Commissioner: Motion to approve. [8:28] Chairperson: We have a motion for a favorable recommendation. Is there a second? [8:30] Commissioner: I'll second. [8:31] Chairperson: Motion a second. Is there any more discussion? If not, call the roll, please. [8:33] Clerk: Tesy, [8:34] Commissioner Tesy: yes. [8:35] Clerk: Rody, [8:36] Commissioner Rody: yes. [8:37] Commissioner Snowback: yes. [8:38] Commissioner Berg: yes. [8:39] Commissioner Winshuttle: yes. [8:40] Chairperson: All right. Well, that completes our agenda. It's relatively short. for this one. Um Tony, was there anything else from staff? [8:47] Tony (Staff): I have nothing, sir. [8:48] Chairperson: Anything else from the commission? If not, I'll remind the viewers our next regular meeting is September 9th. And with that, I'd look for a motion to adjurnn. [8:53] Commissioner: I'll make a motion. [8:54] Chairperson: We have a motion. Is there a second? [8:56] Commissioner: I'll second. [8:57] Chairperson: Motion and second for adjournment. All in favor say I. [8:59] Commissioners: I. [9:00] Chairperson: This commission is adjourned. Thank you, everybody.