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To: Chair Kirchner and Planning Commission Members Adam Edwards, City Administrator From: Laura Oakden Date: October 18, 2021 Subject: #LA21-000065, City of Orono, Text Amendment related Animal Units, Public Hearing Background Home based bee keeping operations are becoming more and more popular, and staff is fielding more and more requests for regulations. The City of Orono regulates honeybees as farm animals. Farm animals are permitted in the rural districts (RR-1A and RR-1B) as an accessory use. They require a conditional use permit in the lakeshore districts (LR-1A, LR-1B, and LR-C). Farm Animals, other than horses, require a minimum 2 acres of land. The number of farm animals allowed is based on animal units and number of acres on a property. The animal units for Honey Bees has not been established. For Example: A 4 acre property in the RR-1B District would dedicate 1 acre for the dwelling and one acre for each animal unit. So this property would be allowed 3 animal units. (Exhibit B) Research (Exhibit C): Animal units are typically based, in part, on the weight of the animal. Obviously, bees are not going to be regulated individually. Research from University of Minnesota suggests maintaining 2 hives for a health bee colonies. The Bee Squad from the University of Minnesota conducted a survey from 2020 which found out of the 272 responders majority (66%) currently have 1-5 colonies. A review from the Bee Squad information and some additional research of bee ordinances found most cities that allow bees allow 1-6 hives for the keeping of honey bees in residential area. In 2021 the council reviewed and approved a CUP (LA21-000019) for the keeping of bees in a lakeshore district. All conditions for the project were met. Since the code does not identify number of hives allowed the applicant suggested 4-6 hives for their 2 acre property. The Council granted the CUP and limited the property to 6 hives. (Exhibit D) Review Based on the information above, staff recommends 6 honey bee hives equals 1 animal unit. It should be noted that this regulation will only apply to ‘domesticated bee hives” Bee hives occurring in nature would not be regulated, nor would they be required to be removed. Planning Staff Recommendation Planning Staff recommends amending the definition of Animal units to include 6 honey bee hives as 1 animal unit. Application Summary: The City if proposing a text amendment the definition for animal units to include up to 6 honey bee hives per animal unit. Staff Recommendation: Planning Department Staff recommends approval as drafted. Exhibit D LA21-000065