Darien Targets Beekeeping Operations

DARIEN, IL — The Darien City Council decided to restrict beekeeping operations Monday. This was two months after an alderman reported that some of his constituents were concerned about a beekeeper in their neighborhood.

Under the new rules, a resident would be limited to two beehives or colonies. And they could only be on lots with at least 10,000 square feet.

Beekeepers are required to erect at least 5-foot flyaway barriers such as solid fences, tall bushes or existing structures. Such fences, the city says, would force bees to immediately fly up, instead of toward neighbors.

At an August council meeting, Alderman Lester Vaughan said residents in his ward had complained about a neighbor's raising of bees. The residents couldn't sit in their backyards without bees bothering them, he said.

Asked during Monday's meeting whether the new regulations would help, Vaughan said they would. Now, he said, "I think we have no authority to approach a resident if they are raising bees or if the bees are becoming a nuisance."

Under the new rules, beekeepers would need to get a $25 permit. Annual renewals would be free.

After only a few minutes of discussion — unlike the longer, more emotional discussion about chickens later in the same meeting — the council took a vote.

When it was his turn to vote, Alderman Joseph Kenny expressed surprise.

"Wow, I thought there would be more discussion. I'm a no. If someone gets stung by a bee, they could die. I don't want to see that happen," Kenny said.

Kenny was the lone dissenter.