Adopt Resolution #21-337 Approving a Beekeeping License on a Residential Property at 7339 148th Lane NW; Case of Maksym Soloshenko

The City has received an application for a Beekeeping License from Maksym Soloshenko (the "Applicant"), who desire to maintain two (2) honeybee hives on the property located at 7339 148th Lane NW (the "Subject Property"). The Applicant owns and resides at the Subject Property.

Honeybee populations are declining due, in part, to the growing use of certain herbicides and alterations to native landscapes (along with colony collapse disorder). The continued decline of honeybee populations is concerning and could have a devastating effect on food supply. In response to this phenomena, interest in hobby beekeeping has grown over the last several years. The City recognized this issue several years back and amended City Code to outline standards related to beekeeping, including the need for a Beekeeping License. The Beekeeping License provides the City an opportunity to notify nearby residents of a request and affords those property owners an opportunity to provide comment on these requests.

Ramsey City Code Section 10-1(f) (Beekeeping) states the following: the number of hives is limited to no more than six (6); no hive shall be in excess of twenty (20) cubic feet; hives shall not be within three (3) feet of any property boundary nor within any drainage and utility easement; and hives shall have a constant supply of water. Maintaining bees on a property requires a Beekeeping License reviewed and approved by City Council.

Staff attempted to send a notice public comment period via Standard US Mail to property owners, as noted in the Anoka County Property Records, within 350 feet of the Subject Property.

The Applicant desires to begin with one (1) honeybee hives on the Subject Property, with the possibility of increasing up to the maximum six (6) hives allowed on a residential property. The Subject Property is zoned PUD (Planned Unit Development. The Subject Property is approximately 0.28 acres in size. 

Per the Applicant's Site Plan, the beehives would be located in the rear yard. The beehives are nearly twenty-five (25) feet from the neighboring property to the East and nearly twenty-five (25) feet from the neighboring properties to the North. The beehives are more than one hundred (100) feet from the closest adjacent house and approximately eighty (80) feet from the Applicant's house. The Applicant plans to install water feeders as a water source for the bees. The proposed location(s), number of hives, and size/volume of hives all comply with City Code Section 10-1 (f) (Beekeeping). 

Alternative 1: Adopt Resolution #21-337 approving a Beekeeping License for the Subject Property. The request appears to comply with all standards outlined in City Code Section 10-1(f). Staff supports this alternative.

Alternative 2: Do not adopt Resolution #21-337. The request complies with all standards outlined in Ramsey City Code Section 10-1(f).  As of the writing of this case, there have been no objections to the Beekeeping License request from surrounding property owners.  

This case is being handled as part of Staff's regular duties.

Staff recommends approval of Resolution #21-337 granting a Beekeeping License to Maksym Soloshenko on the Subject Property.

Motion to adopt Resolution #21-337 granting a Beekeeping License to Maksym Soloshenko on the Subject Property.