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Council considers model beekeeper ordinance, pollinator education and possible community hives
Summary
A resident beekeeper asked the council to recommend beekeeper‑friendly guidelines or adopt the state’s model ordinance. Members supported inviting the beekeeper to present, discussed liability and siting concerns for small lots and community garden sites, and linked the topic to pesticide‑use education and parks coordination.
Council members on July 10 heard a request from a local beekeeper, identified as Chris, to consider adopting a beekeeper‑friendly ordinance or guidelines for the borough and to provide clearer municipal guidance on siting, liability and pollinator‑friendly landscaping.
Why it matters: members said clearer local rules could reduce neighbor disputes, ensure appropriate siting on small lots, and support pollinator habitat and community gardening efforts. The member presenting the request said the state of Pennsylvania has established beekeeper guidelines that the borough could adopt or adapt as a starting point.
Council members asked to invite Chris to the next CAC meeting for a short presentation on practical siting, hive management and neighbor‑notification practices. Members discussed sample property‑use agreements the beekeeper already uses to address liability and neighbor allergy concerns, and said parks and recreation could be a potential site for community hives if logistics and public‑education needs are resolved.
The discussion also linked beekeeping to pesticide and herbicide use: members suggested that pollinator‑friendly landscaping guidance and public education about spraying could be coordinated with parks and rec and school outreach. One member offered to seek infographic support from a colleague to help produce simple public‑education materials on bees and pollinator‑friendly yards.
No ordinance was adopted; the council directed staff to invite Chris to present at an upcoming meeting, to share the model ordinance provided in the meeting packet with council members, and to ask parks staff about interest in hosting a community hive or pilot site.
