Councillor Marni Fedeyko believes the town should be looking to other municipalities for ways to take the sting out of a beekeeping issue that has been raised in the Riversong/Riveria neighbourhood.

Last night, Fedeyko gave a notice of motion asking the administration to draft a bylaw she hopes will enable beekeepers and their neighbours to live in harmony. In particular, she recommends they examine some of the provisions laid out in the Airdrie urban beekeeping pilot.

Because no municipal bylaw is in place, provincial regulations within the Beekeepers Act are followed and limits how the town bylaw officers can deal with complaints. The two beehives of a Riveria resident both comply with the legislation.

By establishing its own bylaw, the town would be able to set the criteria. That's exactly what Airdrie has laid out in its program designed to control but also encourage beekeeping within the community.

"This is not about not being supportive of bees or beekeeping practices but more to keep harmonious neighbourly relationships when concerns do arise," says Fedeyko.

In particular, she's interested in the bylaw addressing setbacks from fencing and having the hives located where they won't impede neighbouring homeowners, obtaining consent from adjacent neighbours and making sure there is an adequate water supply.

"While I realize having administration delve into this now may not help current concerns, I am hopeful we take the time to draft up a bylaw in which both parties are satisfied," says Fedeyko.

Airdrie's beekeeping regulations include a section on "Good Neighbour Considerations" that requires approval from adjacent neighbours. Permission can additionally be revoked if documentation is provided to support a medical concern of neighbours.

The city retains the right to remove any participant from the pilot with 30 days notice. It also can cancel the entire program with 30 days notice, though the timeframe may be extended depending on the season. The location of the beehives is also subject to inspection.

Mayor Jeff Genung recommended Fedeyko add an achievable timeline to her motion when it returns for a vote by council.

In April, the City of Airdrie became the second Alberta city and 23rd in Canada to be designated as a "Bee City."

They are currently celebrating Bee Week and have pledged to plant 500 native trees, shrubs and forbs annually. They are also holding a huge variety of events to inform residents about pollinators. 

Beekeeping in the city limits is limited to those approved through the city's Urban Agriculture program.