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ATTACHMENT 3 <br /> application for beekeeping. She noted that this is a straight-forward application, very <br /> similar to processes already established within the Planning Division; it is not very <br /> labor-intensive and can be managed on staff time. She added that the Animal Services <br /> Officer had some experience in going through this process while working for the City of <br /> Fremont and stated that there are not a lot of concerns: she goes in, inspects to make <br /> sure the applicant meets the performance standards, and then leaves. <br /> Commissioner O'Connor inquired if Code Enforcement would be monitoring this in the <br /> same manner as is done today in that inspection would not be proactive but as a <br /> response to a complaint. <br /> Ms. Amos indicated that the role of the Code Enforcement Officer would typically be to <br /> go out and do the initial inspection, and when someone calls and complains about a <br /> large swarm of bees, he will check if any applications have been filed and approved for <br /> that location, then go out and inspect it. <br /> Mr. Weinstein added that staff has crafted the,performance measurees,to be effective <br /> and easily be monitored in terms of reducing`neighborhood impacts\He\noted that they <br /> are designed in such a way that they do not require,extensive, detailethi onitoring or <br /> intense intellectual engagement with beekeeping, and could be conducted by the Code <br /> Enforcement Officer or anyone with reasonable knowledge about beekeeping who could <br /> go out and take a look around to ensure that the beekeeping is being reasonably <br /> operated on the project site. <br /> Acting Chair Ritter. stated that,the biggest issue seems.to be swarming and that the <br /> biggest cure for that is changing out the queeribee. He inquired how that is done and if <br /> the inspector would go;out. and check the bee`s to confirm that the queen bee has been <br /> changed. , <br /> i <br /> Ms. Amos replied that it common practice for the queen bee to be marked with a <br /> different color for each year which Would indicate the age of the bee. She indicated that <br /> beekeepers typically remove-an older queen bee and introduce a new one to create <br /> more productivity. She added-that swarming can occur naturally in the hive when the <br /> bees notice that the queen tieeis not being productive or performing appropriately, and <br /> so they might start creating a new queen bee. She stated that the queen bee's <br /> hexagonal cell is larger thari any of the others, and the beekeeper can notice if <br /> something is happening there and can either remove that cell or remove the old queen <br /> bee and there can be only one queen bee in a hive. <br /> Acting Chair Ritter inquired if the beekeeper will have to file for the permit yearly or just <br /> once. <br /> Ms. Amos replied that it would be just once, and then it would be the beekeeper's <br /> responsibility to make sure he/she is maintaining the hive appropriately. <br /> DRAFT EXCERPT: PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES, 1/28/2015 Page 4 of 14 <br />