Beekeeping may soon be allowed across the city, but backyards still up for debate

Winnipeg is poised to expand urban beekeeping to all areas of the city after public consultation found strong support for the idea.

A report by senior city planner Kurtis Kowalkerecommends allowing beehivesin all geographic areas of the city, but stops short of directing council to allow hives on residential properties.

Right now, beehives are permitted in downtown Winnipeg. They're also a conditional use in agricultural areas at the fringes of the city, which means large apiaries can be set up once property owners go through a public hearing.

• Beehives will be allowed in downtown Winnipeg
• Winnipeg's urban beekeepers concerned mosquito fogging could cause harm

The proposed change would make hives a permitted use everywhere, provided proper fencing is in place. Public consultations conducted in June 2016 found strong support for the idea.

Kowalke recommendedcouncil's planning, property and development committee hold a public hearing about changing the Winnipeg Zoning Bylaw to allow beekeeping everywhere in the city. But he said the city may wish to continue barring hives from properties zoned for residential use.

The report also recommends reducing mosquito-fogging buffer zones around hives from 300 to 90 metres, mainly because GPS technology has improved.

The report comes before the planning, property and development committee on Tuesday.