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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-09CITY OF LAKEVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES May 9, 2024 Chair Majorowicz called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was given. New Planning Commission alternate member, Alexander Checcini, was sworn in by Community Development Director Tina Goodroad. Chair Jenna Majorowicz, Vice Chair Christine Zimmer, Alexander Checcini, Scott Einck, Pat Kaluza, Jason Swenson, Ex-Officio Jeff Hanson. Commissioner Tinsley arrived at 6:04 pm. Patty Zuzek : Tina Goodroad, Community Development Director: Kris Jenson, Planning Manager. The April 25, 2024 Planning Commission meeting minutes were approved as presented. Planning Manager Kris Jenson stated that if tonight’s agenda item isn’t tabled, the May 23, 2024 Planning Commission meeting will be cancelled. Chair Majorowicz opened the public hearing to consider the application of Debra Holman for an interim use permit (IUP) to allow an apiary (bee keeping) in the RS-2, Single Family Residential District, located at 18005 Jacquard Path. Debra Holman, applicant, presented a brief overview of the request. Community Development Director Tina Goodroad presented the planning report. Ms. Goodroad stated the applicant submitted an application for an interim use permit to allow an apiary, which is the keeping of bees on a single-family home property located at 18005 Jacquard Avenue. Ms. Holman proposes to keep one hive initially, with the ability to add a second hive in the same location in the future. Since a maximum of two hives are on a residential lot that is less than 25,000 square feet, the additional hive is recommended to be permitted at the property owner’s discretion subject to compliance with Zoning Ordinance requirements. Ms. Goodroad reviewed the performance standards as well as the interim use requirements from the Zoning Ordinance. The City’s discretion in reviewing the application for the IUP is limited to applying the applicable city code provisions to the facts related to the specific application. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, May 9, 2024 Page 2 Community Development Department staff recommends approval of the Debra Holman interim use permit, subject to the five stipulations listed in the May 3, 2024 planning report. Chair Majorowicz opened the hearing to the public for comment. Julie Ostergaard -18031 Jacquard Path Ms. Ostergaard expressed concerns about the potential impacts for those who are severely allergic to bee stings, including her daughter and several friends. She noted that when the ordinance was approved, there were comments made by several Councilmembers with concerns about the potential impacts of the ordinance and that they suggested the language be reviewed after a year to see if changes were needed. She requested that the application be denied or tabled until additional restrictions can be added to the Zoning Ordinance. to close the public hearing at 6:14 p.m. Chair Majorowicz asked for comments from the Planning Commission. Discussion points included: • Public hearing notification requirements. • Which emergency services carry epinephrine injections (fire does but not police). • How aggressive bee behavior is or would be defined. • Recourse for neighbors who experience negative consequences and whether the use of bee spray is prohibited. • Distance bees will travel to forage; applicant stated normal area is one to two miles but could travel up to five miles. • Chair Majorowicz stated that her brother has a hive on a larger acre parcel not in Lakeville, but she has been outdoors with her young child and dog at his home and hasn’t seen or noticed a large quantity of bees outdoors or had an issue with bees during visits. • Whether bees tend to revisit certain areas or continue to move around. • Whether studies of neighboring communities and comparable lots sizes were reviewed • Commissioners Kaluza and Swenson confirmed that language was adjusted for typical Lakeville lot sizes. • Commissioner Swenson also shared his experiences with family members that keep bees as well as those who are allergic. • Commissioner Swenson asked about the Planning Commission’s discretion in considering IUP. • Director Goodroad suggested that a stipulation be added to review the site once the hive is established and then again in one year to review bee keeping and see how the ordinance fits the situation. • Commissioners expressed support for the added stipulation. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, May 9, 2024 Page 3 Motion was made by Kaluza, seconded by Swenson to recommend to City Council approval of the Debra Holman interim use permit subject to the following stipulations, as amended: 1. The keeping of bees (apiary) shall comply with all requirements outlined in 11-35-3.F.2 of the Zoning Ordinance, as may be amended from time to time. 2. Not more than two apiaries shall be permitted on the subject property. 3. The apiary(s) shall meet all setback requirements. 4. A fence be installed by the property owner (Holman) if the adjacent trees are cleared or removed by the property owner immediately abutting the Holman property near where the proposed hive is located. 5. The interim use permit shall terminate upon a change of property ownership or when the apiary use has been discontented for more than a year. 6. The subject property shall be inspected by Community Development staff once the hive is established and one year after the establishment of the hive. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kris Jenson, Planning Manager