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the applications, the possible Zoning Administrator hearing, the extra $25 fee, a <br />Planning Commission hearing, a City Council hearing, all the staff reporting related to <br />that, and all other tasks that are required on the part of staff, the actual cost to staff will <br />be well in excess of $150. <br />Commissioner Balch pointed out that the premise of that comment is that the <br />government body's duty is to break even or even make a profit and that staff's principal <br />role is not to serve the residents. He added that that is not the rule of government. <br />Mr. Weinstein stated that he agrees with that statement completely but that staff does <br />not even come close to breaking even. He noted that this is definitely a loss of revenue <br />to the City, and staff has to balance the needs of the community with the fact that staff <br />has to run its Division on a certain budget and that budget is funded by taxpayers. <br />Commissioner O'Connor commented that it is such a drop in the bucket that staff would <br />not notice it if it did not come in, and wondered how many beekeepers would be <br />swarming into the Division. <br />Ms. Amos replied that staff did not think it would be a lot, but apparently there are a lot <br />of underground beekeepers out there, so staff might want to re- evaluate the comment <br />made earlier about not being that many, as there may be more than anticipated. <br />Commissioner O'Connor stated that there is no guarantee that they are going to come <br />forward and pay $150 fee, and maybe they do not want to be inspected. <br />Commissioner Balch stated that to staffs defense, these will be noticed, which is <br />important and a good idea to have in place in this new process. He noted that this is <br />still new and everyone is trying to learn it, and they will be inspected. He indicated that <br />the cost of the initial inspection is high but that he can move on. <br />Commissioner Ritter inquired if these beekeepers are making money and selling their <br />honey; if they file a tax return or if this is just a hobby kind of stuff. <br />Ms. Amos replied that it is primarily mostly a hobby; they could sell the honey, but <br />honey jarring and everything else could cost a lot. <br />Commissioner Balch verified that should the application be denied at any point in the <br />process, the applicant would have an avenue for an appeal process and could go to the <br />Zoning Administrator for a hearing. <br />Ms. Amos replied that is correct. <br />Commissioner O'Connor stated that he is willing to compromise leaving the $150 fee <br />there but having some flexibility on the height. He noted that a maximum height of four <br />feet for a foot off of the ground and a stack of three boxes would limit the number of <br />bees the beekeeper can actually have. He added that he would also like to have some <br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, January 28, 2015 Page 14 of 17 <br />