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MEDFORD Backyard bee ban begone, planners say Proposed ordinance modeled after Ashland beehive law Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 25, 2015 at 12:01 AM Updated Mar 25, 2015 at 3:06 PM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 25, 2015 at 12:01 AM Updated Mar 25, 2015 at 3:06 PM » RELATED CONTENT • City of Ashland ordinance allows beekeeping • Blooms coming too early for Rogue Valley's bees • Ashland eases rules governing beekeepers » Social News Busy bees soon could be buzzing around backyard blossoms in Medford if the city lifts its ban on hives. “Keeping bees illegal doesn’t get rid of the bees,” said Jesse Botens, who lives in Medford but has to keep his hives in Ashland. Botens said bees already are roaming around gardens in Medford, but an ordinance would help better manage the bees through a city-maintained registry. The Planning Commission this week will consider a proposed ordinance recommended by planning staff that aims to end the ban on hives in Medford. The public hearing will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in City Hall, 411 W. Eighth St. If the Planning Commission recommends adoption of the ordinance, it will go before the City Council at 7 p.m. April 16 at City Hall. Bees, which play a crucial role in crop pollination, would be allowed in single-family residential areas as well as on properties zoned commercial or industrial. Hives would be prohibited in multi-family residential areas. In Medford, bees currently are allowed only in areas zoned for agriculture. Under the ordinance, a maximum three hives would be permitted on properties of less than one acre and six hives on more than an acre. Registration of all beehives would be required in the city, which would create a map on its website showing their locations. For beekeepers with five or more hives, registration with the Oregon Department of Agriculture is also required. The ordinance would require bees to be kept in hives with removable frames or combs. Hives would have to be placed 10 feet from any street right of way, except along alleys, and could not be placed in small side yards or buffer yards, according to the ordinance. Only common, docile honey bees would be allowed. African honey bees or any hybrid variety would be prohibited. Those with beehives located less than 20 feet from a property line would be required to install a 6-foot-high barrier to direct bees up and over their neighbor's yard, referred to as a “flyway.” “We’re trying to make it as friendly to neighbors as possible,” said Carla Paladino, city planner. The city has carefully explored the idea of lifting its bee ban since 2014 and has referred to other ordinances throughout the country, including in Ashland and Talent. Paladino said her office has received four emails from local residents who supported lifting the bee ban. “We have not received any negative reaction,” she said. Sarah Red-Laird, who runs The Bee Girl organization, said she helped write the code that became the Ashland ordinance that allows backyard hives. She said bees are already in Medford, living in trees, utility boxes and sheds. “There are also beekeepers in the city of Medford,” she said. “They’re just doing it illegally.” Red-Laird said some people — especially those who are allergic — have expressed concern about getting stung by bees, but she said Ashland and other cities haven’t discovered any great problems with bees. Also, just because bees are allowed doesn’t mean the city will be overrun with hives, Red-Laird said. “It’s really hard to keep bees alive,” she said. This year has been particularly tough, with trees and flowers blooming up to three weeks early because of warmer weather. A lot of native bees live in the ground, which is still cold, so the hives are dormant, she said. “Native bees haven’t been up to the task of pollinating gardens, flowers and fruit trees,” she said. For local beekeepers such as Botens, the prospect of bringing his hives back to Medford is a welcome one. “Luckily, so far, the community has been supportive,” said Botens, who is a member of the Southern Oregon Beekeeper's Association. Beekeepers will be able to pick up swarms of bees from one property and transport them to a local hive, if the ordinance is approved, Botens said. “I haven’t found any logical reason to be against this,” he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow on Twitter at @reporterdm .   By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 25, 2015 at 12:01 AM Updated Mar 25, 2015 at 3:06 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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