EAC members discuss draft beekeeping ordinance; beekeeper urged to seek one‑on‑one council meetings

At the Oct. 9 meeting the Narberth Environmental Advisory Council discussed a draft beekeeping ordinance prepared by a council member and reported back on a recent conversation with a local beekeeper.

A council member said the beekeeper, Chris Anto, had not been able to attend the EAC's meeting (Thursdays are not feasible for him) and that borough staff indicated they were too busy to take on ordinance drafting at this time. The member suggested the beekeeper could meet one‑on‑one with interested council members or councilors to review the draft and to explain his plans before expanding hive siting.

Council members said Mr. Anto's primary concern was securing host households for hives and wanting assurance that he would not be penalized later if complaints arose about setbacks or other operational details. The EAC suggested he could seek meetings with individual council members and asked staff to circulate the draft—it was noted the draft ordinance (prepared by an EAC member) is already present in the EAC's file under the beekeeping folder.

Members also noted an ecological consideration raised by some conservationists: European honeybees can compete with native pollinators in some contexts, which has led to recommendations from some experts to balance honeybee support with measures that protect native pollinators. The EAC recommended coordinating with Parks & Recreation members who are interested in pollinator‑friendly landscaping so the borough's approach addresses multiple ecosystem goals.

No formal vote on beekeeping policy was taken; council members agreed to forward the draft to interested parties, to offer to connect the beekeeper with Parks & Rec contacts, and to let the beekeeper pursue one‑on‑one briefings with council members who are available.