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requires permits for a fence that is more than six feet in height, and that is why staff had limited the flyaway barrier to a maximum height of six feet so it does not trigger any additional permits in the City process. Commissioner Balch asked staff if, when they went out and looked at the hives, they had a quick estimate of what they thought from dirt to top, and if that was where the four -foot maximum height came from. Ms. Amos replied that it was four feet, from staff's visit and from the research, publications, and documentaries. She noted that hobbyists do not really have more than three or four stacked boxes, and that multi- stacking is particular to the commercial portion of beekeeping. Mr. Weinstein added that staff is linking the maximum height in the ordinance to the need for what staff is calling a flyaway barrier, which is a valid feature that should be included at properties that have beekeeping. He stated that staff wants the fence to be modest in scale, as opposed to 10 -foot or 15 -foot tall fences, and to relate to the height of the bee hive. He added that it is not practical to allow a really tall bee hive, and there should be a reasonable relationship between the beehive and the fence which will serve as the flyaway barrier, or the hedge. Commissioner Balch questioned where the height measurement would start for a hive that is placed on a slope and noted that the maximum height of four feet might result in unintentional impacts. He indicated that the maximum height might be six feet, in his opinion, as a neighbor looking at eye level over the fence would not want to see a monstrosity of a structure on the other side. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS RE- OPENED. Acting Chair Ritter asked Mr. Browne if the picture of the three boxes in his backyard is about four feet from the ground to the top of the box. Mr. Browne said yes, adding that the hive is definitely lower than their fence line. Acting Chair Ritter inquired what the average height of the boxes is. Mr. Schlachte replied that the big boxes are about eight inches tall, and the smaller boxes are six and five inches tall; hence, stacking three boxes would be 24 inches high. Mr. Browne added that the bees fly out from the bottom of the hive. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED. Mr. Weinstein stated that he wanted to talk about the fees and indicated that fee of $150 mentioned earlier really just represents a drop in the proverbial bucket of the cost to staff of administering something like this. He noted that taking into account reviewing PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, January 28, 2015 Page 13 of 17