Watch
Edison officials may soon scrap the township’s year-old ban on bamboo.
The township council on Wednesday introduced a resolution to repeal a measure adopted last year that prohibited the planting and spread of bamboo.
Bamboo plants are an invasive species blamed for damaging landscaping, structures and infrastructure on residential and commercial properties.
Several other New Jersey towns have similar bans or restrictions on bamboo.
Under Edison’s current ordinance, property owners with bamboo must keep it at least 10 feet from property lines, though property owners are not responsible for removing bamboo that has already spread onto neighboring properties.
Property owners can keep existing bamboo unless a zoning officer determines it has encroached onto a public right-of-way or adjacent private property.
The ordinance also restricts new bamboo plantings to above-ground containers that contain the root system.
Violators can be fined up to $100 per day.
According to mycentraljersey.com, Councilman Ajay Patil said the ordinance should be repealed because property owners with existing bamboo should not be penalized. He also argued disputes between neighbors over bamboo should be handled in civil court rather than by township health or zoning officials.
News12 reported that 25 Edison homeowners have filed complaints with the township about neighbors allowing bamboo to invade their yards.
Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
