HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence
Shestak, Joe
From:Peter Murphy <murphy_carmel@sbcglobal.net>
Sent:Monday, July 20, 2020 9:51 AM
To:Shestak, Joe; Hollibaugh, Mike P; Keeling, Adrienne M; Campbell, Laura; Finkam, Sue;
Rider, Kevin D; Hannon, Timothy J; Kimball, Bruce; Nelson, Miles D; Green, Anthony;
Aasen, Adam P; Worrell, Jeff
Cc:annmarie@youarecurrent.com; Jim7310@gmail.com; Tracy P.; bmcnulty361
@gmail.com
Subject:Re: Friendly suggestions and input for Beekeeping Ordinance
Follow Up Flag:Follow up
Flag Status:Completed
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Dear Jeff,
Thank you for your response and added information.
Your attachment 'Carmel Beekeeping' is new to me. I hope the final ordinance can be illustrated in
this way. I think it makes it easier to understand.
I had thought I had missed the opportunity to give input to Committee development. The Residential
Committee voted to pass the ordinance unanimously at their July 7th meeting. The agenda for July
21st meeting of the Plan Commission shows the ordinance will be reported with a favorable
recommendation to be forwarded to the City Council. I figured the next step was Council
consideration and passage. If there are more steps than that, I look forward to working with the
appropriate committee.
Peter Murphy
On Monday, July 20, 2020, 9:01:14 AM EDT, Worrell, Jeff <jworrell@carmel.in.gov> wrote:
Dear Peter,
I am one of the sponsors of this ordinance. In the past, we have relied on a document
of suggested guidelines (attached). However, those suggestions have proven
imperfect. An ordinance is the result of issues caused by an expanding number of
hives near neighbors in several areas of southeast Carmel. We used the Fishers
ordinance as a starting point.
1
First things first....
Notify Your Neighbors-
Bee pollination is vital to the growth and health of our plant life, however
some people do have allergies to bees, which needs consideration.
Be proactive and let all your neighbors know your intentions for urban
beekeeping.
Check Your Zoning and Setback Requirements-
Beekeeping is permissible in all zoning districts, but lot size and setback
requirements must be met. To determine the zoning of your property go to:
http://gis.carmel.in.gov/Zoning/index.html
Your property may have additional conditions and restrictions based on
zoning overlay districts. Contact Carmel Division of Planning and Zoning for
further information, to contact call 317-571-2417.
In Carmel it is unlawful to keep a colony that causes a threat to human
or animal health, or interferes with normal use and enjoyment of public or
private property.
Registration-
All colonies shall be registered with the Indiana Department of Natural
Resources Division of Entomology and Plant Pathology prior to April 1st of
each year. It is recommended that the beekeeper successfully completes The
Indiana State Beekeepers School. The class informs engaged residents about
challenging encounters during the first year and beyond. To register for the
school or for further information, please contact 317-504-4151. Register at:
http://indianastatebeekeepers.org/wordpress1/beekeeping-school/
Characteristics of a Good Bee Yard-
• Close to sources of nectar, pollen, and water
• Well-drained
• Away from frost pockets
• Exposed to morning sun and afternoon shade
• Protected by fences or plant barriers
• Minimally exposed to pesticides
CARMEL BEEKEEPING
Department of Community Services - Planning and Zoning Division
City of Carmel -
Department of Community Services
Division of Planning & Zoning
1 Civic Square, 3rd Floor
Carmel, IN 46032
p. 317.571.2417 f. 317.571.2426
Setbacks:
Bee hives are not permitted in front and side yards. In addition they must be a minimum
of 25 feet from neighboring homes. public spaces, common area, sidewalks, parking lots,
public facilities, streets, and other public uses.
Permitted Zoning Districts:
Allowed in all zoning districts, but must follow setback requirements for accessory
structures.
City of Carmel
So you want to be a beekeeper?Beekeeping Procedures-
COMMERCIAL
STRUCTURE
COMMERCIAL PROPERTYRESIDENTIAL PROPERTY
> 10,000 SQ. FT.
PARKING
LOT > 20,000
SQ. FT.
3 BEEHIVES IS
PERMISSIBLE
BEEHIVES
BEEHIVES >25’
>10’
>25’PROPERTY LINEPROPERTY LINEEXAMPLE 1:EXAMPLE 2:
PUBLIC SPACE
Continued...
Minimum Lot Size and Number of Beehives:
Two (2) beehives maximum on a parcel of at least 10,000 sq. ft.. One (1) additional
beehive may be added for each additional 5,000 sq. ft. of lot area. The maximum
number of beehives regardless of lot size is four (4). Hives shall be placed a minimum of
4 feet apart, which makes it easier for worker bees to find their own hive and prevent
drifting.
‘Flyaway’ Barrier Guidelines:
A barrier wall must be maintained at least 6 feet in height, consisting of a solid
wall, solid fencing material, dense vegetation, or a combination. Must be placed
a minimum of 5 feet and max of 6 feet from the front entrance of the hive,
and extend between 4 and 6 feet in both directions from the assisted beehive
centerline.
5 -6’
4-6’
WALL OR FENCE
BACKYARD BEEKEEPING:
BEEHIVE BEEHIVE
DENSE VEGETATION
(CAN BE EXISTING HEDGE)
4-6’
5-6’
Types of Bees and Hives:
No Africanized bees shall be allowed
on the property. Permissible bee types
include honey bees and any other
types used for honey and pollination
purposes.
Bees should be kept in movable-frame
hives, which offer many advantages.
It is easier to harvest the honey, and to
check the progress and health of your
bees at any time as well as controlling
swarming.
Hive Identification:
A weatherproof sign (ten inches by twelve inches) must be placed on both
sides of the flyway fence facing the neighboring property providing the
owner’s name and emergency contact phone number.
On-Site Water Sources:
A clean water source must be provided on-site during active months,
designed in a manner conducive to bee usage and which prevents any
significant number of bees from using a water source on neighboring
properties.
Bee
Area
Caution!
Flyaway barrier installed at
a height of 6’.
Barrier must be a minimum of 5’ and a
maximum of 6’ from beehive.
Pictured above are two movable-
frame hives up against a fence, which
prevents wind damage to the hive.
Barrier wall
consists of a
combination of
vegetation and
fencing at 6’ in
height.
Flowers and plants
are provided
for the bees to
pollinate.
Identification sign facing
neighboring property
should provide emergency
contact information.
Nearby vegetation
provides
protection for
bees from gusty
winds.
CARMEL BEEKEEPING City of Carmel
Chapter 13 Specific Use Requirements
Section 13-15 Personal Beekeeping
Purpose and Intent. The intent of this Section is to regulate beekeeping for personal and educational use only. Bees,
honey, beeswax, and related items production for sales is prohibited.
A. Permitted Districts
1. Personal beekeeping as an accessory use is permitted in all Agricultural and Single Family Residential zoning
districts (E-1, R-1, R-1a, R-2, R-3, AG, and AGO-1). Personal beekeeping is prohibited in all other zoning
districts.
2 Beekeeping for educational or research purposes by an institution such as college, school, place of worship,
or agricultural extension office is allowed in all other districts, subject to the requirements of this Section.
B. General Requirements
1. The number of colonies on a lot is limited to 1 colony per 4,100 square feet of lot area up to a maximum of 6
colonies regardless of lot size.
2. No bee colony shall be kept in a hive that exceeds 10 cubic feet.
3. Bee hives may be located on the ground or on the roof of any building with a permanent foundation.
4. Hives on the ground may not be located in a front yard.
5. Hives must be set back a minimum of 15’ from any property line.
6. If the opening of any hive located on the ground opens directly onto any activity area (such as a walkway,
patio, swimming pool, play area, etc.) then a flyway barrier must be maintained to the following standards:
a. Be minimum of 6 feet in height; and,
b. Consist of a solid wall, fencing material, or dense vegetation (or in combination) running parallel to
the property line and extending at least 5 feet beyond the hive in each direction so that all bees are
forced to fly at an elevation of at least 6 feet above ground.
7. Colonies shall be maintained in movable-frames with adequate space and management techniques to
prevent overcrowding and swarming.
8. Any colony exhibiting swarming or aggressive behavior must be immediately re-queened. Aggressive
behavior is any instance in which unusual aggressive characteristics such as stinging or attacking without
provocation occurs.
9. Every beekeeper shall maintain the following on the same property a colony is located:
a. An adequate supply of fresh water located near to each hive; and,
b. Annual and/or perennial plantings that offer a diversity of natural pollen and forage
C. Registrations and Training
1. Beekeepers are encouraged to register their colonies with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Division of Entomology and Plant Pathology prior to April 1 of each year.
2. The beekeeper(s) shall have successfully completed the Indiana bee school hosted by Beekeepers of Indiana.
Definitions
Colony: a family-unit of bees consisting of a queen, workers, and drones
Hive: a man-made structure specifically built to house a bee colony
Swarm: a large number of honeybees, in company with a queen, moving together from one hive to start a new colony in
a different location
Re-queening: the process of removing an existing queen from the colony and replacing it with a new queen.