11-08-2021 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Monday, October 18, 2021 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 2 of 2 maintaining that number of hives. He is opposed to regulation; however, if there has to be a number on it he thinks it should be higher. He clarified that 10 hives would take up an 8x8 space. Finally, Bollis noted that counting these as an animal unit against other animals is hard as they have a symbiotic relationship with a horse, they are not taking up the space that a horse does. He thinks it is confusing to tie it together in the Code like that. Bollis does not think the honeybee hives should count against the aggregate total of animals. The Commissioners discussed whether to separate out the RR district and whether to have two separate standards. Oakden clarified currently she is proposing to amend the animal unit definition which is a flat one animal unit equals six hives. She noted it is regulated differently within different districts. Libby spoke in favor of the text amendment as presented. Bollis stated, respectfully, there are many family farms operating in Orono and he does not think it makes sense to regulate when there is no need for it. If there is a way to draft it so they are not regulating those properties that would be great. He also does not believe the wetlands should be counted out of that acreage because they are critical for the bees, and vice-versa. The Commission discussed the issue further, with Ressler and Libby noting Bollis brings up some thorough and interesting points. Libby is uncomfortable with the idea of an animal unit that could negate the ability to have another commonly owned recreational animal such as a horse or a goat. He is not comfortable voting and would make a motion to table until it is further researched and discussed. Erickson would like to see how other cities in the area handle honeybees. Oakden shared that many neighbors do not permit honeybees or are silent about the issue within their code. Barnhart suggested removing honeybees from the definition of farm animals. Based on Staff workload, it would likely not go before the Commission the following month. Bollis suggested honeybees come out as a farm animal and honeybees are a CUP in the Lakeshore Overlay District. He noted that might be a better way to regulate it. Ressler agreed. Gettman noted Staff is looking for a number. Bollis moved, Gettman seconded, to approve LA21-000065, Text Amendment to City Code Chapter 78, striking honeybees from “farm animals” so they would be unregulated in the Rural Residential District, and to draft regulation to make honeybees a CUP in the LA Districts with a number not to exceed 12 hives per acre. VOTE: Ayes: 5, Nays 0.