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F. All hives shalt 1. be kept in a usable condition at all times, as determined by the City's, code enforcement officer, animal services officer, or his or her designee; 2. have removable frames/combs; 3. be kept off the ground to prevent wood rot; and 4. be inspected by the beekeeper no less than three times between March 1 and October 1 of each year to ensure that the conditions of the hive(s) are maintained and to prevent natural requeening that can lead to swarming. Staff analysis: The performance standards noted in E and F are intended to reflect bee behavior, ensure that there will be minimal impact to adjacent residents, and ensure that the beekeeper makes reasonable efforts to prevent colonies from swarming. This would be achieved through providing a convenient water source on-site for the bees, installing a flyway barrier that directs the flight orientation of the bees and encourages the bees to fly above 6-feet when leaving the hive to forage for food, requeening, routine hive maintenance by the beekeeper, and an inspection from the City's code enforcement officer once the bees are on-site. G. Hive materials and/or equipment shall be stored in a sealed container or placed within a bee-proof enclosure. Beekeepers shall ensure that no burr comb, honey or related materials are dropped and/or left on the subject site such that it would attract pests. Staff analysis: To discourage pests, such as mammals, other insects, or feral bees, staff is proposing that the beekeeper maintain the area and store hive materials and/or equipment within an enclosure. H. Hive entrances shall face away from or be parallel to the nearest property line(s). Staff analysis: Staffs research has found that bees can be directed in their flight by orientation of the hive opening. While bees will decide where they pollinate, facing the hive entrance away from or parallel to the nearest property line could discourage bees from visiting the property closest to the hive when foraging for food. I. The maximum height of a hive shall not exceed four feet. Staff analysis: To limit the visibility of the hive and to prevent constructing large hive structures, staff is proposing that the hives do not exceed four feet in height. J. To prevent swarming, the beekeeper shall continuously manage the hive and requeen each hive at least once every two years. Staff analysis: Requeening can occur naturally within the hive when the bees feel that the queen is no longer productive. When natural requeening occurs, the new queen Page 7 of 9