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Ms. Amos replied that it does not have to be anything very large as the bees do not <br />drink gallons of water throughout the day: something like a coffee can, a dog dish, or a <br />small bowl set next to the hive that the bees can have access to continuously. <br />Commissioner Piper stated that the staff report also mentions that the Animal Services <br />Officer or Code Enforcement Officer will oversee and deal with complaints and refers to <br />the knowledge they would have. She noted that there is obviously no one in the City at <br />this point that knows much about beekeeping and inquired where the Officers would get <br />that training and if they will be licensed. <br />Ms. Amos replied that it would mainly be through self- education: the State has a <br />beekeeping inspector and there are local clubs, associations, and federations for <br />beekeeping that can help with education. She added that there are classes on <br />beekeeping, but these clubs and organizations offer good resources for self- education. <br />She added that no licensing is required in terms of inspections. <br />Commissioner Piper stated that she was not present when this item was first discussed <br />at a Commission meeting and requested clarification regarding Mr. Browne's statement <br />that the White House installed 70,000 bee hives. She inquired if he meant 70,000 bees. <br />Ms. Amos replied that David Browne, a local resident, brought this matter forward to the <br />Planning Commission, and that statement regarding the White House was a part of his <br />presentation and the packet he had submitted. She clarified that bee colonies have <br />hives within them, and the White House may have multiple hive boxes, which can have <br />up to 60,000 bees within one hive. <br />Commissioner O'Connor noted that the proposed amendments would allow beekeeping <br />in R -1 (One- Family Residential) and RM (Multi - Family Residential) zoning districts, but <br />not in townhomes. He inquired what the definition of Multi - Family is in terms of <br />beekeeping. <br />Ms. Amos replied that there are areas in the City where the zoning is not consistent with <br />the actual lot in question, for example, in the Downtown Specific Plan area, there are <br />properties along Second Street and off of Peters Avenue that have an RM zoning <br />designation for Multi - Family but are, in fact, detached single - family homes. <br />Commissioner O'Connor noted that the proposed Code amendment limits the number <br />of hives on Agricultural -zoned properties to ten hives; however, the staff report indicates <br />that the State limits that to nine hives. He asked staff to clarify this discrepancy. <br />Ms. Amos noted that the State would not require registration if there were ten hives. <br />She added that the agency representative stated that registration is a casual process <br />and that the State defers to the agency that oversees the registration process and <br />issues the permits. <br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, January 28, 2015 Page 3 of 17 <br />