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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – June 5, 2024 2 <br /> <br />four hundred (400) feet or more from any lot line, except for chicken coops in the R-1, R-2, and <br />R-3 Districts.” Farm animals are defined as “Animals traditionally kept or raised on a farm for <br />the purpose of providing food or products for sale or use, such as cattle, horses, goats, sheep, <br />swine, fowl, bees, and animals raised for fur.” In review of the Subject Property, city staff <br />determined that the property did not have the lot width required to meet the distance <br />requirements from any lot line for placement of the bee hive(s). <br /> <br />Community Development Director Jagoe explained based on that evaluation, the Applicant <br />submitted a land use application for a Zoning Code Amendment to add language to the Zoning <br />Code for residential zoning districts that would exempt the keeping of bees under Section <br />1325.07, Subd. 6.A – Location of Buildings Housing Farm Animals. The following is the zoning <br />code language proposed by the Applicant for consideration: <br /> <br />a. The number of hives on residential lots is not to exceed: <br />i. 1 acre or larger: 8 <br />ii. 1 acre – ¾ Acre: 6 <br />iii. ¾ Acre to ½ Acre: 4 <br />iv. ½ acre or less: 2 <br />b. The beehive(s) must not be located in the front of a property or a side yard that <br />abuts a street. <br />c. They may be no closer than twenty‐five (25) feet to an occupied building on <br />another lot and/or any public trail or walkway. <br />d. The hives shall be located at least ten (10) feet from a property line. <br />e. Any property owner who keeps bees shall provide and maintain a nearby, <br />designated water source. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Jagoe provided an overview of the ordinance amendments <br />and provided the Findings of Fact for review: <br /> <br />1. Joe Kimbell, the Applicant, is proposing amendments to the language of Chapter 13 – <br />Zoning Code of the City Code. <br />2. Under the City’s Zoning Code Section 1325.07, Subd. 6.A, the City does allow Buildings <br />Housing Farm Animals as a permitted accessory use in the R-1, R-2, and R-3 Residential <br />Zoning Districts subject to distance requirements from any lot line. <br />3. The Applicant is proposing an amendment to allow for an exception for the location of <br />bee hive(s) that would reduce the distance from the property line in the R-1, R-2, and R-3 <br />Residential Zoning Districts. <br />4. The Applicant is proposing additional criteria in the ordinance language that would be <br />used to regulate the keeping of bee hive(s) such as a maximum number of bee hives that <br />would be allowed based on the residential lot size, minimum distance the hive may be <br />located to a dwelling or trail, a water source must be provided, and that the bee hive(s) <br />may not be located in the front or side yard of a residential lot. <br />5. Of local communities surveyed, a majority allow for the keeping of bees as a permitted <br />accessory use in residential districts without a City license. <br />6. Amendments to the Zoning Code regulations require a public hearing prior to action by <br />the City Council <br /> <br />Community Development Director Jagoe reviewed the options available to the Planning <br />Commission for Planning Case 24-011 for a Zoning Code Amendment to Chapter 13, Section <br />1325.07, Subd. 6.A of the Arden Hills City Code to allow an exception for the Location for