Minutes
Lakewood City Council
Adjourned Regular Meeting held
June 11, 2024
MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER at 6:03 p.m. by Mayor Rogers in the Executive Board Room, 5000 Clark Avenue, Lakewood, California.
ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Mayor Todd Rogers
Vice Mayor Cassandra Chase (arrived 6:24 p.m.)
Council Member David Arellano
Council Member Steve Croft
Council Member Jeff Wood
. . .
BACKYARD BEEKEEPING OF HONEYBEES ORDINANCE
Community Development Director Abel Avalos displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda regarding the beekeeping ordinance. He provided background information and a brief history on the preparation of the proposed ordinance. He stated that the proposed ordinance would allow commercial apiaries in the A (Agriculture), and O-S (Open Space) zones, except those with a school or a public park; allow backyard apiaries on lots in the R-1 (Single Family Residential) and R-A (Single Family Residential - Limited Agriculture) zone with backyards adjacent to A or O-S lots that are not a school or public park; authorizes the “Best Management Practices for Backyard Beekeeping in Lakewood” as a guidebook; establish locational and operational standards; and clarify when bee colonies were considered public nuisances. He identified apiculture requirements and provided a description of public nuisance bees.
Vice Mayor Chase arrived and assumed her seat at the dais.
Staff responded to questions and comments from Council Members regarding taking a measured approach, the proximity and distance between hives; the importance of a system of checks and balances; public awareness and education for residents; and designated zones.
Direction was provided for staff to draft the proposed ordinance allowing for a pilot program limiting the number of permits to ten for backyard beekeeping citywide. . . .
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be brought before the City Council, Mayor Rogers adjourned the meeting at 7:19 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jo Mayberry
City Clerk