John Hoeffel reports on the unwavering efforts of bee enthusiasts to legalize beekeeping in residential areas of Los Angeles.
Rob and Chelsea McFarland have charged themselves with the task of petitioning neighborhood councils throughout Los Angeles in an attempt to allow bee hives within residential zones. The couple created the nonprofit organization HoneyLove which hosts events and raises awareness about the importance of beekeeping. "Now, almost a year and a half later, their devotion has won support from eight councils," writes Hoeffel. "And an enthusiastic city councilman has initiated a formal study, a first step that could bring L.A. on board with other bee-friendly cities, such as New York, Seattle, San Francisco and Santa Monica."
The McFarlands' zest for beekeeping is evident to all who come in contact with them, and they like to infuse their message with a sense of humor. Hoeffel writes, "At events, Rob sometimes wears a bee suit or a yellow T-shirt, and Chelsea typically appears more flamboyantly attired, often in a bee-striped tutu. 'It's pretty hard to ignore people when they are walking around in bee suits,'" says Rob.
Whimsical as they may be, the couple has definitely done their homework. "Neighborhood council members, used to dealing with irritated constituents, tend to be startled and pleased by the McFarlands. At a committee meeting of the South Robertson Neighborhoods Council, the two, finishing each other's sentences, answered questions about wasps, feral hives, stings, allergies, industrial agriculture, swarms, why bees are disappearing, laws in other cities and tainted honey."
Their infectious passion is spreading fast on their Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages. With such a wide audience supporting their cause, the buzz about beekeeping is growing in Los Angeles. Says Kirk Anderson, a mentor to many L.A.-area beekeepers, "They're just unhindered enthusiasm and love for what they're doing, and how can you not love that?"
FULL STORY: Bee fans try to get Los Angeles to allow hives in residential areas

Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself
The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

San Francisco Muni Raises Fares a Second Time
A 10–cent fare hike for adults is part of the agency’s plan to chip away at a growing budget deficit.

Electric Grid Capacity Could Hamstring EV Growth
Industry leaders say the U.S. electric grid is unprepared for the increased demand for power created by electric cars, data centers, and electric homes.

Texas Bill Supports Adaptive Reuse in Commercial Areas
Senate Bill 840, which was preliminarily approved by the state House, would allow residential construction in areas previously zoned for offices and commercial uses.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Clovis
City of Moorpark
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions