Bristol Township Council Drafts Bamboo Restriction Ordinance

An ordinance to restrict the growth of bamboo grass has been drafted and submitted for council approval during the Bristol Township Council meeting Thursda, according to Solicitor Russ Sacco.

The ordinance, written by Sacco by direction of the town council, would prohibit the growth of bamboo and conditionally qualify it as a nuisance plant. Sacco said bamboo grass will only qualify as a nuisance if the plant begins to grow into another individual's property.

Under the ordinance, the township will be able to provide a notice of violation to any resident who does not properly contain their planted bamboo.

"I've prepared (the ordinance) in such a way as to not over-regulate the issue," Sacco said.

The proposed ordinance is far less restrictive than one recent law approved last week in Haverford, Pa. According to Sacco, Haverford has outright banned the planting and cultivation of bamboo grass within that township.

Members of Bristol Township Council were leery leading up to the formation that they were not trampling on the liberties and rights of homeowners. Council member Bob Lewis said he feared that a restrictive bill could harm the local economy.

When you take a quick walk through the local Wal-Mart, through the gardening section, you see hundreds of glowering bamboo plants," Lewis said. "We want to be very careful that we don't over-regulate to the point it affects the market and the sale of these plants."

The ordinance comes after several complaints over the past few years from various Bristol Township residents over the growth of bamboo. Bamboo grass roots are known to spread quickly and virulently, many times causing infestation across property lines.

The stems of bamboo grass are also extremely strong, able to break through asphalt and even brick. The strength and growth of Bamboo grass is so well regarded, according to the BBC, the plant was actually used historically in Japan as a method of torture, by allowing the plant to grow through a restrained victim's body.

Croydon resident Patti Nickels said she has extensive damage to her property from a bamboo invasion. She said when her neighbor planted bamboo in his yard three years ago, the roots quickly spread and sprouted up more plants in her yard. According to Nickels, many of the roots aggressively damaged her lawn, plants and even home.

"When it destroyed my dad's property, which he slaved over for 60 years -- when something takes over in three months, and destroys everything you worked for, it's not a joke," Nickels said.

The council is expected to vote on the ordinance the first session next month.