Aliso Viejo City Council Gives Preliminary 'No' to Beekeeping

If, for some reason, you just started thinking about keeping bees at your house in Aliso Viejo, you picked the wrong time.

The City Council gave its preliminary approval to an ordinance Tuesday that prohibits apiaries—bee housing—in residential districts.

At their March 2 meeting, officials conducted a first reading of a proposal that, if approved, would add a number of amendments to the city’s zoning code, including placing restrictions on beekeeping.

The second reading and vote on the adoption of the ordinance is scheduled for March 16. 

No beekeepers spoke during public comments.

The proposed zoning changes would also include restrictions on the amount of square footage allowed for secondary facilities of churches, temples, clubs, lodges, community centers, movie theaters and other nonresidential buildings where people assemble.

If the ordinance passes, secondary facilities—such as offices, gymnasiums and day-care rooms—of certain nonresidential zoning districts would not be allowed to exceed 20,000 square feet or 50 percent of the main meeting room, whichever is larger, unless the City Council approves the exception.

Rick Talcott, who spoke during public comments and identified himself as a representative of Compass Bible Church, said the new rules would limit the church’s expansion plans.

“We think that is unworkable,” Talcott said. “We’re not sure where this ratio or percentage came from.”

Other Business

Officials honored two young brothers for volunteer work that earned them a  Governor and First Lady Award for community service in January.

Jarod Smith, 7, and Jonah Smith, 5, of Aliso Viejo, volunteered more than 25 hours to organizations, such as Savannah’s Organic Ranch, St. Jude’s Hospital and Toys for Tots, according to a city staff report.

“We like to volunteer to be helpful and nice,” Jonah said at the meeting.

Also at the meeting, officials received an update from the Orange County sheriff’s deputy who works with students at Aliso Niguel High School.

Deputy Rich Franco said the School Resource Officer program has been a success.

 “We’ve prevented suicides. We’ve prevented overdoses,” Franco said, after thanking the council for its support and thanking the volunteers who have helped him.  

Also at the meeting, representatives of the student council at Don Juan Avila Middle School led the flag salute.

To read the text of Tuesday’s agenda click here.

The City Council meets the first and third Wednesdays of every month at 7 p.m. in the council chambers in City Hall at 12 Journey.

The next meeting is March 16.