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Franklin Township environmental panel to seek landscaper input on proposed leaf‑blower ordinance
Summary
The commission agreed to invite local landscapers to a future meeting to review draft leaf‑blower limits and hear practical concerns about timing, costs and electrification; members debated whether to prioritize gas‑equipment operators or also include electrified contractors.
The Franklin Township Environmental Commission voted to pursue a stakeholder listening session with local landscapers to gather practical feedback on a proposed leaf‑blower ordinance that would incentivize or require a transition away from gas‑powered equipment.
At the meeting, a committee member proposed inviting two to three landscapers to the commission’s next session to explain how proposed hours, equipment limits, and enforcement would affect operations. The member said the goal was to "find out what it is that we're proposing" and to give landscapers a chance to offer constructive criticism before the commission forwards language to the township council.
Debate focused on who to invite. Some members argued for bringing conventional, gas‑equipment providers to hear resistance and cost concerns; others urged also inviting contractors who already use electric equipment so the commission could hear transition costs and successful practices. "If we are trying to promote electrification of leaf blowers as a way of making the air cleaner and not too much noise, we want to have someone who says, 'hey, it's possible,'" a presenter said, arguing electrified operators could answer cost and operational questions.
Commissioners agreed to send draft language in advance and to ask invited landscapers to review it ahead of the meeting so the group could focus on technical questions and time limits. Staff noted they would reserve ample agenda time if many people attend and that invitations should clarify the session’s format.
The commission also discussed related zoning questions raised during the exchange, including whether large landscape‑headquarters businesses are allowed in township zones and how that might affect enforcement. No final ordinance was adopted at the meeting; the commission set the outreach session as the next step and will report back with attendees and recommended adjustments to the draft before forwarding it to council.
Next steps: the commission will invite a short list of landscapers, circulate the draft ordinance in advance and set an appropriately long agenda block to accommodate testimony and Q&A.
