TITLE:
title
INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 3 (ANIMAL REGULATIONS) OF THE COSTA MESA MUNICIPAL CODE BY AMENDING CHAPTER I (IN GENERAL) AND CHAPTER VI (SPECIAL ANIMAL PERMIT) TO PROVIDE FOR BEEKEEPING AND TO CLARIFY APPEAL PROCEDURES FOR SPECIAL ANIMAL PERMITS, AND FINDING OF CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION FROM CEQA
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DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESENTED BY: STEPHANIE A. SELINSKE, LIEUTENANT
CONTACT INFORMATION: STEPHANIE A. SELINSKE, LIEUTENANT 714-754-5293
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council introduce for first reading Ordinance No. 2024-XX amending Title 3 (Animal Regulations) of the Costa Mesa Municipal Code by amending Chapter I (In General) and Chapter VI (Special Animal Permit) to allow for the lawful keeping of bees and/or hives within the city and to clarify appeal procedures for special animal permits, and find the Ordinance Categorically Exempt from CEQA.
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BACKGROUND:
The City of Costa Mesa Municipal Code (CMMC) 3-18, currently states it is unlawful for any person to have, keep, or maintain any hive or swarm of bees within the city. Presently, several cities in Orange County allow for the lawful keeping of bees and hives, including Fullerton, Santa Ana, and Irvine. On January 26, 2022, the Animal Services Committee voted to establish a Beekeeping Ad Hoc Committee to explore beekeeping with the intent to propose changes to CMMC 3-18 to allow for the keeping of bees in the City of Costa Mesa. On March 20, 2023, the Beekeeping Ad Hoc Committee submitted their findings and draft ordinance to the Animal Services Committee and staff. Based upon the Ad Hoc Committee's recommendation, the Animal Services Committee voted to send their findings and draft ordinance to City Council to receive and file for future review until such time either conflict over backyard beekeeping increased or popular support became evident. Recently, the Police Department and City Council have received publi...
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