Residents press West Windsor to strengthen bamboo rules; Shade Tree Commission drafting ordinance

Two West Windsor residents raised an invasive ‘running bamboo’ problem during the May 26 public comment period and asked the township to expand local restrictions beyond a recent state action limiting bamboo sales.

Philip Lee (8 Stonewall Drive) said his neighbor’s bamboo, planted about 25 years ago, has spread into multiple yards and requires continual maintenance: "the bamboo that he's planted literally runs across his the width of his house ... and 20 ft deep into his yard but also it comes into my yard," he said. Another resident, Prrii Jooshi (10 Stonewall Drive), said the bamboo had crept into her kitchen garden and posed safety and pest concerns.

Mayor Haymon Marate responded that the Shade Tree Commission and township professionals are reviewing a township bamboo ordinance; he said the administration would ask the township landscape professional to inspect the specific property. "We do have our own township bamboo ordinance which was almost ready for introduction and then the Shade Tree Commission went and made major changes to it," Marate said, adding officials plan to reintroduce it when finalized.

Council members encouraged residents to watch future agendas and to comment during ordinance readings. Councilmember Linda, a Shade Tree Commission liaison, said the commission spent significant time drafting the ordinance and will publish it for public review when administration finishes revisions.

No ordinance vote occurred May 26; the council asked staff to follow up with an inspection and to return any draft ordinance to the agenda for public review.