Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Flores-Zambrano pleads guilty in drug-trafficking case ... Crews near 50 percent containment on Stouts fire ... Justice Court in Central Point breaks ground on new digs ... Flores-Zambrano pleads guilty in drug-trafficking case ... Crews near 50 percent containment on Stouts fire ... Justice Court in Central Point breaks ground on new digs ... MEDFORD Medford City Council lifts beehive ban Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 17, 2015 at 2:00 AM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 17, 2015 at 2:00 AM » Social News Beehives will no longer be banned in Medford backyards, the City Council decided Thursday night. On a 4-3 vote, the council approved changes to a city ordinance that will allow up to three beehives in a residential yard. The ordinance will come back for a second reading. "There are so many benefits that outweigh our risk of fear," said Jami Ronda, who was one of many residents to speak in favor of bees. Bees, well known for 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. 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. Not every councilor was happy with the new ordinance. Councilor Dick Gordon said that up to 10 houses on an acre could conceivably have 30 hives. "I'd rather proceed more conservatively," he said. Mayor Gary Wheeler and other councilors said they thought the hundreds of dollars needed to create a hive would be a deterrent to most people, along with the ongoing maintenance. "That's overthinking the situation," Wheeler said to Gordon. "I don't want to toss in barriers." Councilor Tim Jackle said he would prefer the ordinance allowed people to have beehives if they applied for a conditional use permit. "I can't support the motion," he said. Councilor Michael Zaronsinski also said he couldn't support the ordinance because it could open the door for too many beehives in a residential area. City planner Carla Paladino said Ashland allows beehives, and that city currently only has 17 hives within its 6-square-mile boundary. Given Medford's larger size and bigger population, Paladino said she expects the city might end up with about 70 hives. The city has received 60 emails regarding the ordinance, with most voicing support, Paladino said. A handful of people opposed beehives, citing issues with stings, bees going into hot tubs and swimming pools for water, the close proximity to houses and the possibility that it would raise code-enforcement issues, Paladino said. Ellen Wright with the Southern Oregon Beekeepers Association said she is surprised at how fearful people are of bees. "They are not aggressive," she said. Wright said that 40 people die from stings every year, but the stings are from bees, wasps, yellow jackets and other insects. She said about the same number of people die from dog bites each year. Wright said people who are allergic to bees typically carry around a device that can be injected in case of a bee sting. The same device is also used by those with nut allergies, she said. Richard Dumanowski, a Medford resident, said he supports the ordinance but would like to have the ability to place beehives on roof tops so the flyway could avoid neighboring yards. "There's bees everywhere in Medford, but there are just no boxes," 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 Apr. 17, 2015 at 2:00 AM » 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... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site 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. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501