Greendale board approves beekeeping ordinance subject to attorney review; permit fee to be set later

The Village of Greendale’s Board of Trustees voted to approve a proposed ordinance to allow beekeeping within village limits, with the approval conditioned on final review by the village attorney and an agreement to set a permit fee at a future meeting.

The motion, moved by a trustee and seconded by another trustee, directed the village attorney to complete final review and asked staff to return with a recommendation for a permit fee. Trustee discussion focused on whether the permit should be a one-time approval or renewed annually, how neighbors would be notified, and whether inspections would be required. One trustee urged waiting for the forthcoming community survey but ultimately supported moving the ordinance forward with the lawyer’s sign-off.

Staff presented a draft application and said the proposal had been adjusted to put the permit on the same annual cycle as other village permits. A trustee summarized the staff recommendation: “the permit should be renewed every year” (Trustee, speaking during discussion).

Some trustees raised concerns about ecological impacts. One trustee said, “Honey bees can displace or negatively impact other bee species, particularly native bees due to their competitive foraging habits,” and said that limited, sporadic beekeeping likely would not have that effect in Greendale. Trustees also discussed requiring a sketch showing proposed hive location and a flyway barrier to reduce interactions with neighbors.

The board approved the motion on a roll-call vote, with at least one trustee recorded voting no. The ordinance will be finalized after legal review and the board will set the permit fee at a future meeting.