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Buena Park residents looking to host a flock of chickens and harvest honey from bees in the comfort of their backyards may soon be able to do so.
It’s a move by city city council members looking to overhaul local laws and directing city staff to work with the city’s Climate Action Commission to formulate environmentally friendly policies.
In May, Buena Park City Council members kicked off the first step in loosening regulations on owning chicken coops and beekeeping in certain residential areas.
“Some of these regulations date back to a time when we were more agricultural, and so they’re not as dialed on what this is – which is more urban homesteading,” said Matt Foulkes, director of community and economic development, at the May 14 regular meeting.
At the same meeting, City Council gave direction to city staff to find a location for adding a new dog park within the city after shooting down proposals to place one at Buena Park Civic Center.
It comes as city officials debate on whether the city’s budget can afford add a dog park while grappling with limited tax revenue.
The city surveyed Buena Park residents in February regarding homesteading activities, in which 584 out 874 respondents, or 66.8%, supported overhauling current homesteading laws.
Urban homesteading typically refers to allowing community members to grow fruits, vegetables and herbs, owning small livestock and beekeeping.
“After being approached by some passionate residents on this topic, Mayor Sonne and I introduced a range of new urban homesteading items – with goals to better localize our food sources and support our surrounding ecosystem,” Councilman Connor Traut said in a Thursday phone interview.
The proposal is tentatively scheduled for review by the city’s planning commission on July 24, with council discussion following in August, Traut added.
While council members generally agreed to bring the proposal back for a public hearing, Councilwoman Joyce Ahn made clear at the May 14 council meeting that she’s “happy” some residents are interested in homesteading, even if some constituents in her district may be opposed.
“I don’t think my district would be very welcoming of that idea,” but added that she understands the citywide approach officials are taking.
Will Residents See A New Dog Park?
Buena Park City Council members debated on converting a vehicle storage lot at the Civic Center land into a dog park.
A proposed location for the park by city staff was adjacent to the Ganahl Lumber and Community Center parking lots at the city’s civic center – which was unanimously shot down by sitting city council members when presented the option at the May 14 regular meeting.
For some, the cost of the project was enough for the proposal to be dead on arrival.
“The cost is so high because you have to modify the fence, tear all of the asphalt out of the property and put landscaping into it for the dogs – they can’t run in asphalt and do their business,” said Councilman Art Brown during the same meeting. “I’m completely and 100% opposed to the idea.”
But other council members still wanted the city’s Community Services Commission to do a “thorough search” on finding a better location that still serves Buena Park residents, as voiced by Councilmember Trout and Mayor Susan Sonne.
“I’m always for adding more greenspace anytime we have the opportunity to do it. So I’d definitely support that idea,” Sonne said.
Bridget Englebrecht, marketing specialist for Buena Park, said in a Thursday email to Voice of OC Thursday that city staff is “still exploring options for a new dog park in the city.”
Councilman Traut, while in support of adding another dog park, said the proposal is being researched and could come back for a discussion in the fall.
“As with a range of necessary services, like our top priority in funding public safety, more resources are needed.”
Hugo Rios is a Voice of OC intern. Contact him at hugo.toni.rios@gmail.com or on Twitter @hugoriosss
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