I live outside my town limits, but RIGHT on the border with 43 acres of my own, 300 acres family owned. I had the mayor come talk to me about my bees. he wanted me to move them, I told him no. He said he could contact the county if he had to.. I said My hives are registered with the state. If pushed, I could contact four different beekeeping associations nearby and bring the case to the state, and that I was willing to fund the fight.
He calmed down, and we talked for about two hours.. part of that time while wandering around the hives.... I know its a bit unfair.. but I caught a drone and handed it to him. Explained that bees are not aggressive away from their hive.
He went away with a new perspective.
There are a lot of weapons and ammunition you can use to dispel the fears of the council, but as you already said, the squeaky wheel gets the oil, so speak up. get your ducks in a row, and make an appearance. Call in help from other local beeks. Many in the local clubs here would dearly LOVE to fight for their hobby/business.
We live in SE Iowa.. A few years ago, the newly elected council decided that having Big trucks, and tractors with wagons full of grain sitting along the highway waiting to pull into the elevator was a bad thing, so they tried to make them use the side streets.. The farmers wives/families inundated the town with a petition that proposed the city council had to wear a clown outfit when performing official duties.. with a population of 480, they got almost a thousand signatures. It brought an important point to the forefront of knowledge in the new councils minds.
You can accomplish a lot if you have the determination.