VIDEO: A Chicken Coop in Cleveland Heights

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Chicken coops and bees dominated the discussion during a about the more sustainable practices being proposed for the .

Two residents spoke about the beehive and chicken coop they have in their backyards. And we were curious — what does that look like in Cleveland Heights?

So we decided to check it out.

Today we’ve posted a video about the six hens and chicken coop Cleveland Heights resident Jan Kious keeps in her backyard. Look for a video Tuesday to see Cleveland Heights resident Stan Hockey’s beehive, which has about 40,000 bees inside.

Chicken coops with up to four hens would be permitted if Cleveland Heights City Council approves the sustainable provisions added to the zoning code. Beehives would not be allowed in community gardens if the code is approved, and not in backyards either, according to city officials.

The Cleveland Heights Planning Commission will review these and the many other changes to the code at its meeting Wednesday. If members decide to approve the amendments, Cleveland Heights City Council may review and approve the new zoning code at its regular meeting April 16.  

The revisions to the code encourage residents and businesses to implement more sustainable practices, including using permeable surfaces for driveways, planting trees, bushes and flowers in parking lots, starting community gardens where homes have been torn down or in other vacant spaces, installing solar panels and geothermal units, using rain barrels and compost piles and more.

The new rules will apply to new business, renovation, construction and development in the area, while established merchants will be encouraged to apply the sustainable practices.

To download the 196-page zoning code and review the revisions, highlighted in yellow, click here.

And look for highlights from the Planning Commission meeting later this week.