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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Monday,October 18,2021 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> maintaining that number of hives.He is opposed to regulation;however,if there has to be a number on it <br /> he thinks it should be higher. He clarified that 10 hives would take up an 8x8 space. Finally,Bollis noted <br /> that counting these as an animal unit against other animals is hard as they have a symbiotic relationship <br /> with a horse,they are not taking up the space that a horse does.He thinks it is confusing to tie it together <br /> in the Code like that.Bollis does not think the honeybee hives should count against the aggregate total of <br /> animals. <br /> The Commissioners discussed whether to separate out the RR district and whether to have two separate <br /> standards. <br /> Oakden clarified currently she is proposing to amend the animal unit definition which is a flat one animal <br /> unit equals six hives. She noted it is regulated differently within different districts. <br /> Libby spoke in favor of the text amendment as presented. <br /> Bollis stated,respectfully,there are many family farms operating in Orono and he does not think it makes <br /> sense to regulate when there is no need for it.If there is a way to draft it so they are not regulating those <br /> properties that would be great.He also does not believe the wetlands should be counted out of that <br /> acreage because they are critical for the bees,and vice-versa. <br /> The Commission discussed the issue further,with Ressler and Libby noting Bollis brings up some <br /> thorough and interesting points. <br /> Libby is uncomfortable with the idea of an animal unit that could negate the ability to have another <br /> commonly owned recreational animal such as a horse or a goat.He is not comfortable voting and would <br /> make a motion to table until it is further researched and discussed. <br /> Erickson would like to see how other cities in the area handle honeybees. <br /> Oakden shared that many neighbors do not permit honeybees or are silent about the issue within their <br /> code. <br /> Barnhart suggested removing honeybees from the definition of farm animals.Based on Staff workload, it <br /> would likely not go before the Commission the following month. <br /> Bollis suggested honeybees come out as a farm animal and honeybees are a CUP in the Lakeshore <br /> Overlay District.He noted that might be a better way to regulate it. <br /> Ressler agreed. <br /> Bollis moved,Gettman seconded,to approve LA21-000065,Text Amendment to City Code Chapter <br /> 78,striking honeybees from "farm animals"so they would be unregulated in the Rural Residential <br /> District,and to draft regulation to make honeybees a CUP in the LR Districts with a number not to <br /> exceed 12 hives per acre.VOTE: Ayes: 5,Nays 0. <br /> 2. LA21-000067 CITY OF ORONO PROPOSES A TEXT AMENDMENT TO SECTION 78- <br /> 1379 REGARDING SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS.(STAFF: JEREMY BARNHART) <br /> Page 2 of 3 <br />