(Huntington, NY) – After a long and arduous year of public hearings and resolution revisions, the Huntington Town Board adopted Local Law Introductory No. 2-2013, adding Chapter 156A to the Code of the Town of Huntington (Bamboo) last night following a public hearing. Councilwoman Susan A. Berland offered the resolution which was then seconded by Supervisor Frank P. Petrone. The resolution was adopted with an aye from Councilman Mark Mayoka.
When allowed to grow freely without constraint, bamboo can be intrusive and damaging to the quality of life the Town of Huntington seeks to assure for its residents. When planted in proximity to a property line, bamboo is known to migrate from the owners’ property to the adjacent property and cause damage to the landscape design or natural habitat being maintained on adjacent properties.
Thus, from here forth, the owner of property in the Town of Huntington having running Bamboo located upon it is responsible for either removing the bamboo or taking reasonable measures to confine the bamboo to their own property and to prevent the encroachment, spread, invasion or intrusion of Bamboo onto adjoining or neighboring properties. Residents have the benefit of a six month moratorium to clear and/or contain their bamboo before any penalty provisions begin.
“It has been quite the year, having begun this battle in February of 2012,” commented Councilwoman Berland. “As many are well aware, bamboo can be unruly and invasive when planted improperly and it is of the utmost importance that running bamboo be properly contained. I appreciate the feedback from my colleagues that finally culminated in the passing of this bamboo ordinance. I would like to thank the residents that continually attended board meetings to voice their support for a bamboo ordinance in the Town of Huntington. If anyone is looking for more information about bamboo or how to properly contain and maintain it, I published a pamphlet entitled ‘Planting Bamboo: The ins and outs of responsible bamboo ownership’ and it is available on the Town’s website.”
“The invasive nature of bamboo on residents’ property and in their lives was well documented in photos submitted to the Town Board and in the stories residents told at Town Board meetings,” said Supervisor Frank P. Petrone. “This ordinance allows residents to plant what they want on their own property, but makes it clear that they cannot adversely affect their neighbors. I supported this proposal from its inception, and I commend Councilwoman Berland for her persistence and flexibility in fine-tuning her proposal so it can become law.”
Councilman Mark Mayoka said that, “While many feel that Bamboo should be a civil matter to be settled between neighbors it has become increasingly invasive to the point where it has become a regulatory issue. I voted in favor of the revised legislation because it now provides for a 6 month amnesty period and eliminates the onerous 2nd and 3rd offense penalties.”
