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GOLD HILL Gold Hill beekeeping ordinance has second reading tonight Comment By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 1, 2016 at 1:56 PM Updated Aug 1, 2016 at 3:03 PM By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 1, 2016 at 1:56 PM Updated Aug 1, 2016 at 3:03 PM » Social News An ordinance that would govern beekeeping in the city of Gold Hill will get a second reading at 6 p.m. today in council chambers, 420 Sixth Ave. City Council voted in July to enact restrictions on beekeepers to resolve concerns between beekeepers and neighbors who don't want bees too close to their property. The process began earlier this year when Fifth Avenue resident Jody Luney asked the city to prohibit beekeeping inside city limits. Luney wrote a letter in February saying her neighbor, De Davis-Guy, had three beehives about 20 feet from her property line and had collected supplies for additional hives. Luney's letter stated that her father is allergic to bee stings and that she wanted the city to at least establish restrictions on beekeepers. Phone numbers for Luney listed online were disconnected, and the Mail Tribune has been unable to contact her to discuss the issue. The proposed ordinance would require that hives be registered and that beekeepers on properties smaller than 1 acre maintain no more than three colonies, with removable frames maintained in sound and usable condition. Beekeepers would have to maintain an adequate supply of fresh water and ensure that no wax comb or other material be left lying around that could encourage "robbing" by outside colonies. Mayor Jan Fish said she felt positive that the city had found a middle ground and could embrace beekeepers while addressing other residents' concerns. Davis-Guy said she was pleased with the ordinance overall, calling it less restrictive than ordinances found in some cities, although she is worried that registering hives with the city could prove tedious and costly. "That part of the ordinance concerns me on two fronts. One, will the hives be required to be numbered, which is difficult to do as the number fluctuates through the year, and, two, will there be a fee in addition to what the state already charges to register our hives?" Davis-Guy said she has made arrangements to move her hives outside city limits because of lack of food, but she applauded City Council for working with beekeepers. "Unfortunately, I've made arrangements to move my hives outside of the city because of the dearth — lack of food for bees — and the fact that somebody is cutting down the Queen Ann's lace, star thistle and other prime bee food that is available this time of year," she said. "But I'm pleased with the ordinance, and I think it was much more reasonable than other cities, so it's a step in the right direction." Buffy Pollock is a freelance writer living in Medford. Email her at [email protected]. By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 1, 2016 at 1:56 PM Updated Aug 1, 2016 at 3:03 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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