City Council drops beehive regulations

Lorain Council will drop potential regulations on beekeeping in the city.

On Oct. 9, Council’s Police, Fire & Legislative Committee was scheduled to discuss new rules for animals and fowl in the city.

The legislation included a limit of three beehives or colonies per parcel, and a setback of at least 50 feet between hives and any buildings.

There was some buzz among local beekeepers about the new rules, but the discussion never happened. Committee Chairman Greg Argenti asked the group to remove it from the new rules.

“It seems pretty apparent that rather than trying to declare bees a nuisance, we should be encouraging their growth and development,” Argenti said. “They’re a very important part of our (environment).

“In that vein, unless there is support for that, I would like to just remove it from consideration,” he said. “I don’t know that anyone is supporting that wholeheartedly.”

The news was welcome to at least five beekeepers in the audience. Attendees included Denzil St. Clair, owner of Queen Right Colonies Ltd. and a northern Ohio expert on bees; and Lorain beekeepers John Schrenk, Emily Cheney, Joann Romick and B.J. Campana.

After the meeting, Cheney said the legislation would directly affect her hives, which don’t bother her, her children, dog or surrounding neighbors.

“My neighbors never have complaints about them, they enjoy them,” she said. “The neighborhood kids come over. They’re apprehensive at first, but they enjoy having them in the neighborhood. Their gardens have benefited from it.”

“I know my neighbor’s garden quadrupled,” Campana said.

“I’m very pleased that it got shot down that easily,” Cheney said about the rules. She brought with her a dead European hornet she killed near her house; it was twice the size of the dead honeybee she brought.

“That stings once,” Campana said about the honey bee. “That (hornet) stings about three times on average.”

“As many times as it wants,” Cheney said about the hornet, because those insects can sting multiple times, while a honeybee that stings will die when it loses its stinger.

The new animal legislation had two parts and the full Council will consider the second set of rules, which will limit the number of domestic animals such as dogs and cats in single family homes.

There would not be a limit on puppies, kittens, hamsters, gerbils or other small pets that are caged or kept in aquariums.

Ward 3 Councilwoman Pamela Carter asked if the new rule would require pet owners to get rid of some of their pets, and that is the intention, said Safety-Service Director Dan Given.

Ward 6 Councilman Angel Arroyo Jr. asked how the city will enforce the rules, especially if Lorain Police Officer Richard Broz, who specializes in animal complaints, retires next year.

Resident John Wargo suggested Council consider rules for feral cats, roaming dogs and “puppy mills,” or kennels of breeders who may not provide adequate care for the dogs.

Cheney noted in purchasing some animals, such as chickens, at retail, stores sell them in minimum groups, not as single animals.

Lorain Mayor Chase Ritenauer also affirmed farm animals still are not permitted in Lorain.