HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Report 07-07-206
Carmel Plan Commission
RESIDENTIAL COMMITTEE
Tuesday, July 7, 2020 Department Report
3. Docket No. PZ-2020-00068 OA: Beekeeping Ordinance Standards.
The applicant seeks to amend the Unified Development Ordinance in order to establish standards and definitions
for Beekeeping. Filed by the Department of Community Services on behalf of the Carmel Plan Commission.
*Updates to the Dept. Report are written in blue.
Project Overview:
The purpose of this proposal is to establish beekeeping standards in residential districts. The proposed standards are based
upon the beekeeping standards recently adopted in Fishers; however, several revisions are proposed for committee review
in response to comments and questions received during and after the public hearing. See the Committee Packet and memo
dated June 26, 2020 for details.
In the past, DOCS was able to handle the occasional inquiry on a case by case basis, by recommending a few best practices
in spacing, setbacks, screening and communication with neighbors. However, as beekeeping has become more popular,
beekeeping questions and activity have increased over the last couple of years. In fact, the increased activity and the
importance of beekeeping compelled legislation in 2019 which preempts local municipalities from prohibiting beekeeping.
There has never been any intent to prohibit beekeeping in Carmel, but standards are needed to manage the size and location
of hives in residential districts. Standards will give much needed guidance to our planning and code enforcement staff as
they navigate questions from aspiring beekeepers, current beekeepers and their neighbors.
June 16 Plan Commission Meeting Recap:
Staff presented an overview of the proposed ordinance amendment and reiterated the need for Carmel to have beekeeping
standards considering the increased beekeeping questions and activity over the last couple of years.
No letters from the public were received. Plan Commission members had a few questions related the applicability of
Home Occupation standards, personal versus agricultural beekeeping and how to apply the proposed setbacks to hives on
rooves. The Plan Commission forwarded this item to the Residential Committee meeting on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, with
final voting/recommendation authority.
Recommendation:
After all comments and concerns are addressed, the Department of Community Services recommends the Residential
Committee send this item to City Council with a Favorable Recommendation.