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Rye Brook trustees renew one-year exemption for gas leaf blowers at 975 Anderson Hill Road
Summary
The Village of Rye Brook Board of Trustees voted to approve a one-year renewal of an exemption to the seasonal gas-powered leaf blower ban for the property at 975 Anderson Hill Road, with the same conditions as the prior year requiring battery-powered use within 50 feet of residences and partial-throttle use beyond that buffer.
The Rye Brook Board of Trustees on March 25 approved a one-year extension of an exemption to the village’s seasonal ban on gas-powered leaf blowers for the property at 975 Anderson Hill Road.
The renewal continues the conditions the board imposed last year: during the restricted season only battery-powered blowers may be used within 50 feet of any residence, and gas-powered blowers may be used at partial throttle only beyond that 50-foot buffer. The exemption carries through the next year and was approved in a roll-call vote.
Why it matters: The exemption allows large properties that the village classifies as eligible (five acres or more) to maintain grounds while attempting to limit noise and emissions near homes. Property representatives told the board the same maintenance regime has worked over the prior year.
Bridal Schwartz, representing Cohen Purchase Building Company LLC (the corporate owner of the property; assets have been acquired by Fortress), told the board the applicant sought the same one-year renewal under the same terms granted previously. Dominic Burganti of Dom Landscaping said crews maintain walking paths and adjacent areas that serve condominium residents and that mowing and cleanup keep those paths passable.
Administrator Chris said the village enforces a property-maintenance agreement the prior owner and residents negotiated and that the building inspector monitors whether maintenance meets those written terms. The administrator also said Fortress remains in regular communication with the homeowners association and the HOA’s attorney.
Trustees asked about the extent of mowing, fire-hazard concerns during drought conditions and how battery-powered blowers have performed. Burganti said newer battery models have improved run time but that units and batteries are expensive; he said crews carry spare batteries and had recently upgraded equipment.
Mayor Klein and the four trustees on the roll call voted to approve the motion. The board had previously granted a one-year exemption on Oct. 1, 2024, and the applicant returned for the renewal.
The board did not change the previously imposed conditions and made clear the village would act if maintenance deviates from the written terms the village holds on file.
Votes at the meeting: the motion to approve the one-year exemption passed in roll call; the board recorded affirmative responses from Trustee Epstein, Trustee Eiser, Trustee Merlino and Mayor Klein.
