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After resident complaints, Belleair Beach board votes to add bamboo to invasive-species list
Summary
Following testimony from a neighbor who said bamboo from an adjacent property leaves debris in his pool and regrows quickly after trimming, the board voted to prohibit bamboo going forward; enforcement will be complaint-driven and staff will survey prevalence.
The Belleair Beach Planning & Zoning Board voted to add bamboo to the town's invasive-species list after a resident described repeated problems from a neighbor's planting.
Resident Peter Mahalek told the board his neighbor's bamboo has filled his pool with leaves almost daily since it was planted, forced repeated cleanings and, he said, has regrown quickly after being trimmed. Mahalek said the neighboring property appears vacant and that the plant has lifted walls and created a continuing maintenance burden.
Staff noted the town's current landscaping code references the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services noxious-weed rules and that some bamboo species are considered invasive. Board members discussed whether to ban all bamboo or simply prohibit its use as a hedge on property lines and raised the question of grandfathering: if existing plantings would be allowed to remain. Staff recommended a prevalence survey and indicated enforcement would likely remain complaint-driven rather than proactive.
After discussion a member moved to add bamboo to the invasive-species list; the motion was seconded and approved by the board. Members said complaints about specific properties will trigger code enforcement and that staff will return with guidance on grandfathering and implementation.
