Lakeville City Council — Transcript
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Story
Lakeville approves backyard beekeeping permit despite allergy concerns
Interim Use Permit for Apiary (Beekeeping) Application
Votes (2)
Swearing-in of New Planning Commission Member Alex Chini
Dissent: None
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
Alex Chini was sworn in as a new member of the Planning Commission at the outset of the meeting, following which a roll call was conducted to confirm attendance of all members.
Public Hearing for Deborah Holman Interim Use Permit Application (Apiary)
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Kza [00:27:32] · Seconded by Commissioner Swenson [00:27:35]
Deborah Holman applied for an Interim Use Permit to operate an apiary at 18005 Jaquard Path, proposing one to two colonies of gentle, disease-resistant bees with an IPM plan. Staff found the application compliant with the Zoning Ordinance, particularly Section 1147, and recommended approval with standard stipulations regarding fencing and permit termination. A neighboring resident, Julie Asgard, voiced strong opposition due to her daughter's severe bee allergy and concerns about uncontained bees, citing past council discussions from 2017 about public safety. Commissioners questioned definitions of aggressive behavior, nuisance recourse, and peer city comparisons, emphasizing the Planning Commission's limited discretion when an application meets ordinance criteria. Discussion led to proposed additional stipulations for staff to follow up on the apiary's establishment and operation within a year.
Notable Quotes (4)
my intent for the plan for the aary is um to start out with one colony and eventually adding my second which is the maximum limit I believe I can have for the size acreage I have...
through the review we have determined that the applicant does meet each of the criteria um required for this interim use to be issued...
My daughter is severely allergic to bees and needs to carry a medically prescribed EpiPen... intentionally placing a hive or hives of beaves on an adjacent city property is irresponsible unlike chickens that are in a coupe dogs that are leashed these bees are not contained.
the closer you get to the top the less discretion you have and you know the function of the Planning Commission is really to look at for something like an interm use permit uh okay this is what the zoning ordinance says these are the criteria in the that zoning ordinance for someone to qualify for an interim use permit and we're looking at this application and you know with the help of Staff looking to see under what is written in the zoning ordinance does this application coming before us meet those criteria and as long as that applicant does we don't have a lot of discretion whether or not to deny that permit.
Ordinances & Resolutions (4)
The specific type of permit applied for to allow beekeeping as an accessory use.
The local legislation governing land use, specifically referenced for apiary regulations and performance standards.
A document prepared by city staff detailing the application review, findings, and recommendation, including six stipulations.
A document included in the meeting packet detailing the factual basis for the staff's recommendation for the Interim Use Permit.