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Rye Brook trustees extend two one-year exemptions to seasonal gas-powered leaf blower ban
Summary
The Rye Brook Board of Trustees approved one-year extensions to exemptions from the villageseasonal gas-powered leaf blower ban for 975 Anderson Hill Road and for Cerebral Palsy of Westchester, keeping last year—s operating restrictions in place.
The Rye Brook Board of Trustees on March 25 approved one-year extensions of exemptions from the villageseasonal ban on gas-powered leaf blowers for 975 Anderson Hill Road and for the property operated by Cerebral Palsy of Westchester (CPW).
Both exemptions preserve the same conditions the board granted previously: during the ban period (May 1through Sept. 30) only battery-powered leaf blowers may be used within 50 feet of any residence, and gas-powered blowers may be used beyond that 50-foot buffer only at partial throttle. The board voted unanimously to grant each one-year extension.
The exemptions implement the villagelocal law enacted April 11, 2023, that established a seasonal prohibition on gas-powered leaf blowers; the law became effective May 1, 2024. Under the village code, properties of at least five acres may apply for a full or partial exemption; both properties had previously received one-year exemptions.
Representatives for the property at 975 Anderson Hill Road told the board that Fortress (which acquired the LLC holding the property) and the propertymanager are honoring the prior maintenance arrangements and asked for a second year of the same conditions. The applicantrepresentative said, "we are here asking for the same approval with the same conditions...we're not seeking anything differently. We're just asking for one more year." Dom (Dominic) Burganti of Dom's Landscaping described ongoing maintenance on the site, including mowing roughly every two weeks during the season and focused work on walking paths and borders used by condominium residents.
A representative for Cerebral Palsy of Westchester told trustees CPW continues to use electric blowers near residential areas and gas-powered blowers on larger commercial areas and asked for the same one-year exemption previously granted. The CPW representative said limited battery life and higher equipment cost make full electrification difficult for the nonprofit at present.
Trustees clarified enforcement measures and reminded parties that the village retains property-maintenance authority: the building inspector monitors compliance with the written maintenance terms and will contact property owners if conditions deviate from the agreed terms. Trustees also noted fire-risk concerns during drought conditions and asked applicants to be mindful of dry brush.
Votes at the meeting were recorded as follows for each exemption: Trustee Epstein, yes; Trustee Eisner, yes; Trustee Merlino, yes; Mayor Klein, yes. No abstentions or no votes were recorded.
The boardaction extends existing conditions for a single additional year; applicants must return to the board if they request further exemptions beyond the new one-year term.
