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Ivins council to ask planning commission to align code after state lists ‘bamboo-like’ plant as noxious weed
Summary
Following a state genetic analysis that placed a locally common bamboo-like reed on Utah’s noxious-weed list, the council directed staff to ask the planning commission to revise city code to conform with state law and to consider timelines and enforcement for eradication and replacement.
City staff and the mayor briefed the council on a plant commonly called 'bamboo' in Ivins that Utah State University genetic analysis and state authorities have identified as a species on Utah’s noxious-weed list. The county weed board has sent notices to approximately 93 property owners across the county who have the plant on their properties and is initiating an eradication process.
Mayor Chris Hart and staff said the city’s code currently includes language that had allowed some properties to retain the plant under a prior grandfathering approach; the new identification creates a conflict with state law and county efforts. Council members discussed enforcement options, potential replacement programs, and whether to rely on the county’s enforcement and grant-seeking (the county may be eligible for state grant funds to support removal).
Council direction to staff was to send the matter to the planning commission for ordinance revision so city code is consistent with state law. Staff and council also discussed the county program’s approach (which can include replacement plantings) and the relative strength of state enforcement mechanisms compared with city code provisions.
Councilmembers emphasized the need to avoid discussing individual properties in the public meeting while directing planning staff to compare specific city code sections with state requirements and return with recommended code changes.
