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Memorandum To: Gem Lake Planning Commission Project Reference: Beekeeping Ordinance Copies To: Melissa Lawrence, City Clerk Kevin Beck, City Attorney TKDA Project No.: 20459.000 From: Client No.: Evan Monson, Planner Date: March 4, 2024 SUBJECT: Proposed changes to Ordinance No. 142, incorporating beekeeping MEETING DATE: March 12, 2024 ITEMS REVIEWED: Notes from the February 13th Gem Lake Planning Commission meeting, Gem Lake Ordinance No. 142 - Agricultural and Wild Animals BACKGROUND At the February 13th Planning Commission meeting, commissioners reviewed beekeeping ordinances from cities and townships in the greater metropolitan area. Staff led a discussion around allowing beekeeping in the City, and what to include in Gem Lake’s Ordinances if allowing it. Commissioners decided to move forward with permitting beekeeping in the City, with restrictions based on acreage. Other regulations such as setbacks, water sources, sales, and more were discussed. The commissioner’s suggestions from that meeting are ref lected in the draft ordinance. Beekeeping regulations are proposed to be kept in Ordinance No. 142, which currently regulates the keeping of agricultural and wild animals. The Minnesota Hobby Beekeepers Association has prepared a model ordinance for beekeeping. The proposed additions are derived from this model ordinance, as well as the beekeeping ordinances adopted by St. Paul Park, Shakopee, and White Bear Lake. OVERVIEW OF THE DRAFT ORIDNANCE Gem Lake’s current ordinances do not mention bees. The proposed additions and changes to Ordinance No. 142 are as follows: 1. Beekeeping and related terms are defined in Section 2.4.2 2. Beekeeping Operations are within the new Section 4 3. Section 4.1 includes Permitted Operations: Location Requirements, Colony Density, Standards of Practice 4. Section 4.2 includes Permitting and Inspection: Permit Required, Review/Revocation/Appeal, Duration of Permit and Fee, and Right of Entry for Inspection a. The proposed ordinance requires a yearly application be filed. The application must include a site plan of the lot showing the location of the hives, a signed agreement that the property may be inspected for compliance, a certificate of completion from a b eekeeping training course, and a mailing list of neighbors within 350 feet of the apiary lot. b. The permit may be granted or denied. It may also be revoked if found not compliant with this Ordinance or if the beekeeper is threatening health, safety, and welfare of the public. c. The fee for a permit would be set in the City’s Fee Schedule. d. Right of entry is granted to the Animal Control Officer to inspect any apiary at any reasonable time with the purpose of verifying compliance. 5. Each subsequent section is updated with its new section number: 5 – 11.