. Title
Report regarding proposed Zoning Text Amendments to Title 20 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code provisions regulating Animal Keeping (Section 20.350.007) to update beekeeping regulations to expand where beekeeping is permitted as an accessory use to all zoning districts and to broaden performance standards related to beekeeping and determining that the proposed Zoning amendments are categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). (Cecelia Mariscal, Associate Planner)
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MOTION TO ADOPT STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. Move to determine the proposed Zoning amendments are exempt from CEQA.
2. Move to adopt the Resolution recommending that the City Council adopt an Ordinance amending the beekeeping regulations in Title 20 of the City’s Municipal Code.
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission conduct a public hearing and take the following actions:
1. Move to find that the proposed Zoning amendments are categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines §15308.
2. Move to adopt the attached Resolution recommending that the City Council adopt an Ordinance amending Title 20 (Zoning) of the South San Francisco Municipal Code regarding provisions regulating beekeeping.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The South San Francisco Municipal Code (SSFMC) Title 20, Section 20.350.007 (Animal Keeping) currently regulates animal keeping in residential districts, and includes required performance standards, such as the type and number of animals permitted. Section 20.350.007 defines “household pets” and “domestic animals,” and allows them to be kept as an “accessory use to a primary single-unit detached dwelling” subject to requirements restricting the number of domestic animals (chicken, hens, rabbits, guinea pigs or similar small animals) that can be kept depending on lot size, permitting requirements which apply to livestock, and where animal shelters can be placed on a lot.
Animal keeping includes backyard beekeeping, which is currently only permitted as an accessory use to residential uses. Beekeeping requires administrative approval of an apiary (beehive) registration through the Planning Division, as well as registration of hives with the San Mateo County Agricultural Commissioner. The Beekeeping section of the Zoning Ordinance also establishes a nuisance threshold, outlines water and placement requirements for apiaries, and regulates the number of hives that can be kept on a lot. Residential beekeeping is not a common use in South San Francisco; the Planning Division has a record of only two beekeeping permits in the city.
A summary of the changes is included below, and staff has prepared a draft ordinance that is attached as Exhibit A to the associated Resolution.
• Expansion of permitted beekeeping locations to all zoning districts.
o Recently, there has interest in beekeeping on commercial properties, such as large Research & Development (R&D) campuses east of 101, as well as on City-owned park property. R&D campuses have expressed interest in having bees on-site to produce local honey and provide beekeeping educational programs. Community members have also expressed interest in maintaining beehives at City parks and community gardens. City staff has reviewed the existing beekeeping regulations and has determined that expanding permitted beekeeping locations throughout the City can be beneficial for a range of land uses, while having a permitting process and performance standards, such as hive siting and orientation requirements, which were incorporated with the guidance from subject-matter-experts in apiculture, and ensure that the hives will not become nuisances.
• Addition of a requirement to provide pollinator-friendly natural food source.
o The proposed amendment also includes a requirement to provide a pollinator-friendly natural food source. The requirement for a food source for honeybee (non-native) hives helps to sustain the native bee populations and ultimately supports biodiversity through pollination by native bees of endemic plant species. This ensures the continued existence of local habitats through seed production by native plants, some of which produce fruit consumed by native birds and other native species, many of which are threatened or endangered.
Expanding where beehives are allowed and requiring a pollinator-friendly food source for honeybee colonies reduces competition with native bees for resources. Native bees are an essential part of local ecosystems, so supporting their habitats is an important component of expanding beekeeping as a use.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
The proposed zoning text amendments related to beekeeping are consistent with the following General Plan goal:
• GOAL ES-1: The City supports nature in South San Francisco to encourage healthy ecosystems, improve air and water quality, improve public health, and adapt to a changing climate.
CEQA REVIEW
The proposed amendments to beekeeping regulations are categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15308 (Class 8) of the CEQA Guidelines, which applies to actions taken by regulatory agencies, as authorized by state or local ordinance, to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment where the regulatory process involves procedures for protection of the environment; construction activities and relaxation of standards allowing environmental degradation are not included in this exemption. The proposed amendments would expand the permitted areas of beekeeping to all zoning districts within the City, with limits and regulations on the maximum hive number, requirements for distancing, barrier, water source, food source, and hive positioning that vary depending on parcel size and whether it is in a residential or non-residential district. Native bees are an essential part of local ecosystems. The proposed regulations would ensure the health of bees by increasing their potential habitat sources and would promote the health of local ecosystems by providing for the enhancement of local gardens through pollination of local trees, vines, and other plants, leading to increased production and quality of fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
CONCLUSION
The proposed amendments related to beekeeping will allow the expansion of this activity throughout the City to all zoning districts, which will help to support the native bee population by increasing their habitat areas, and will also promote the health of the native bee population by requiring a pollinator-friendly food source for beehives. Staff recommends the Planning Commission adopt a resolution recommending that the City Council adopt an ordinance to modify Title 20 (“Zoning”) of the South San Francisco Municipal Code Section 20.350.007 (Animal Keeping) regarding amendments related to beekeeping and determine that the proposed Zoning amendments are categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15308 (Class 8) of the CEQA Guidelines.
Exhibits to Associated Resolution (26-1767)
A. Draft Ordinance Implementing Zoning Text Amendments