Nobody against urban bees at public hearing

NEWS/ CITY HALL — Ten years ago, neighbours were up in arms over bees in Brocklehurst. Tonight, there were some cautions about bears but no urban angst, and backyard bees are in.

Council held a public hearing to get input on amendments to the animal control bylaw that would allow beekeeping in standard single- and two-family dwellings, and only one resident expressed any reluctance.

Even he said he understands the benefits of bees. “I have no argument with all the positive aspects of beekeeping in the City,” Neil Marshall said, but pointed out the amendments don’t make any mention of keeping bears away from honey.

“I think it’s important to be part of the discussion. I’m not trying to rain on anybody’s parade.”

All the other speakers were beekeepers, and several said bears seldom bother with beehives and an electric fence is effective at discouraging any that do.

Schubert Drive resident Ian Farber, who teaches beekeeping, said part of his course deals with bears. “Beekeeping is really safe,” he said. “The bees know what they’re doing.”

Many of the questions from council were related to basic information about beekeeping rather than concerns.

“Do we have enough bees in our region?” asked Coun Tina Lange.

“No,” said Farber. “People are always saying we need more bees.”

Some councillors were curious about a letter from provincial apiculturist Paul van Westendorp, who said setback requirements for hives, as included in the proposed bylaw amendments, aren’t really necessary.

David Masurat, president of the Kamloops branch of the B.C. Honey Producers’ Association, said they were “for a comfort level” to assuage public fears.

Deputy Mayor Pat Wallace recalled the Brocklehurst situation a decade ago when people were worried allowing bees in an urban setting but a variance was allowed and there have been no problems since.

Tonight, council voted 5-0 in favour of the bees. Mayor Peter Milobar , Coun. Arjun Singh, and Coun. Marg Spina were away on City business, leaving Wallace, Lange, Coun. Nelly Dever, Coun. Donovan Cavers, and Coun. Ken Christian forming a bare quorum.