Trustees approve one-year exemption for leaf blower ban at 1100 King Street

The Rye Brook Board of Trustees on Feb. 11 approved a one-year exemption for 1100 King Street from the village's seasonal ban on gas-powered leaf blowers, imposing conditions intended to limit noise and emissions.

The board's draft resolution referenced the local law (Village Code Chapter 158, Section 2.1), enacted April 11, 2023, that prohibits gas-powered leaf blowers from May 1 through Sept. 30. Under the village code, properties of at least five acres may apply for a full or partial exemption; 1100 King Street previously received a one-year exemption that expired Oct. 1, 2024.

Representing the property, contractor Matt DeFabio of RealView Companies said the site uses one to two blowers during routine maintenance and that he plans to purchase a battery-operated blower in 2025 but has not yet acquired it. He said battery units cost roughly $2,500 per unit and "do not work as well" as gas equipment for some wet-leaf conditions.

After discussion the board approved the exemption "with conditions": gas-powered blowers must be run at no more than half throttle (the condition used in 2024), electric blowers must be used on paths closest to buildings, and electric use should be "weather permitting." The exemption runs through Oct. 1, 2025, giving the property owner time to transition equipment before the next season.

Mayor Klein and trustees emphasized the law's purpose—reducing emissions and noise—and expressed interest in phasing out gas-powered equipment over time while recognizing current battery-technology limitations during heavy leaf or wet conditions. Trustees asked staff to include the weather-permitting clause and the half-throttle restriction in the written resolution before final processing.

The motion carried with all recorded trustees voting in favor.