Environmental commission outlines proposed native-plant ordinance; council introduces land-use amendment

The Redbank Environmental Commission presented a proposed native-plant ordinance and the borough council voted to introduce Ordinance 2026-9 to amend planning and development regulations to promote native-plant cultivation and prohibit invasive species in certain site-plan contexts.

Paulo Rodriguez Haymon, who identified himself as "one of the commissioners," said the proposal would require native plants for developments subject to formal site plans, prohibit invasive species in those cases, and include a species-diversity requirement so landscaping does not rely on a single species. "They're the plants that evolved in our area. And the birds and insects and animals, they co-evolved with the plants," Paulo said, arguing native landscaping supports pollinators and reduces irrigation and chemical inputs.

Scope and exemptions: The proposed ordinance would apply to major site plans and subdivisions; it would not require existing residential homeowners to rip out ornamental plantings, and it exempts vegetable gardens, athletic fields and small applications. The draft references three professionally maintained plant lists (the Native Plant Society of New Jersey, Rutgers, and the National Wildlife Federation) so species lists can be updated without amending the local code. The draft also allows cultivars derived from native species and includes a waiver provision for site constraints and safety concerns.

Council action: After the presentation and a brief discussion about bamboo and maintenance, the council voted to approve Ordinance 2026-9 on introduction and scheduled the public hearing for June 11, 2026. Several council members and commissioners expressed support for the ordinance’s flexible design.

Next steps: The council will hold the public hearing on June 11; staff and commissioners said they would provide waiver-review comments and technical input during the planning board and engineering review stages.