Council set to vote on bamboo ban

Council set to vote on bamboo ban

UPPER DARBY, Pa. (AP) — Bamboo may soon be banned in a community just outside Philadelphia.

Officials in Upper Darby are set to vote on an ordinance that would ban the planting of new bamboo plants and regulate existing ones. The Delaware County Daily Times reports the township council is holding a public hearing on the ordinance Wednesday.

Councilwoman Colleen Marsini says residents have been complaining about bamboo spreading into their yards. She says, “Bamboo is taking over the township,” cracking sidewalks and causing other problems.

The ordinance would prohibit new plantings of bamboo. It would require that any bamboo already planted be maintained within 40 feet of the edge of the pavement and that metal sheathing be installed to prevent the plant from spreading.

Violations would carry a fine of up to $1,000.