Beekeepers get room to buzz in Paradise

By Mark Squibb/April 28, 2022

The Town of Paradise has amended its development regulations to better accommodate amateur apiarists.

Previously, a beehive had to be a minimum of 13 metres from another structure. As per the amendment, which was unanimously approved by council last week, beehives now only need to be a distance of 3.75 metres from another structure, a difference of almost 10 whole metres.

Deputy Mayor Kimberley Street brought forward the motion during a March meeting, as the 13-metre set back was too restrictive.

“It inevitably prohibits anyone from having a beehive, because the standard is nearly impossible to meet, due to standard lot sizes in residential areas,” said Street at the time.

Council, back in March, submitted the amendment to public consultation before giving its final stamp of approval. Council received no public comment on the proposed amendment.

Other amendments to the development regulations approved last week include an update to some definitions, the addition of unserviced development standards for single dwellings in Residential Medium Density Use Zones, and the addition of Clarke’s Hillview and Southview Drive, both of which front onto Camrose Drive, to the town’s list of existing streets to accurately reflect the list of streets in the town’s watershed agreement with the City of St. Johns.