Agenda Item # 11.1 - Curt Cotner | Received 11/18/2022CAUTION: This email originated from an External Source. Please use proper judgment and caution when opening
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From:Gilroy Beekeepers Association
To:City Clerk; Mayor Marie Blankley; Council Member Peter Leroe-Munoz; Council Member Rebeca Armendariz;
Council Member Dion Bracco; Council Member Zachary Hilton; Council Member Carol Marques; Council Member
Fred Tovar
Subject:EXTERNAL - Allow Urban Beekeeping in Gilroy
Date:Friday, November 18, 2022 3:49:31 PM
From:
Curt Cotner
Please vote in favor of Urban Beekeeping in Gilroy.
Gilroy City Staff was recently asked to investigate the possibility of Urban Beekeeping within
Gilroy city limits. Staff stated it was impossible to exempt beekeeping as it would call for
allowance of other agriculture operations within developed areas, such as chickens, pigs, or
others.
Staff was unaware Gilroy already allows rabbits, chickens, turkeys, and other fowl as of
February 2012 without issue. Bees will not open the door for cows, sheep, etc. if that didn't
happen with chickens, turkeys, and rabbits.
Urban Beekeeping helps to build local food systems by pollinating urban farms and gardens
and providing city dwellers with locally produced honey. Honeybees play a critical role in our
food system for the pollination of crops. Contrary to what many may think, bees' survival rate
in urban areas is higher than in rural areas. They are less susceptible to pesticides, greater
access to biodiversity which results in a varied diet, strengthening their immune system.
Finally, bees are on the decline and several species have been identified as endangered here in
California.