Rye Brook board grants one-year exemptions for two large properties, requires electric blowers on sidewalks

The Rye Brook Village Board on a unanimous vote approved conditional one-year exemptions to the village's seasonal ban on gas-powered leaf blowers for two large properties, Washington Park Plaza and Atria Rybrook, extending relief through Oct. 1, 2026.

Deputy Mayor David Heiser, who opened the item in Mayor Jason Klene's absence, read the resolution language that grandfathered the two large properties under chapter 158, section 2.1 of the village code with conditions. The board made the exemptions contingent on the continued use of electric leaf blowers on sidewalks and stairwells and requested evidence of progress toward broader electrification.

Property representatives and their contractors told the board they had invested in electric equipment but that commercial battery-operated blowers currently lack the power, runtime and durability for large parking-area work. An unnamed contractor representing Washington Park Plaza said a demonstration at the shopping center produced about 20 minutes of run time at "full boost," while the manufacturer's stated runtime of 2.5 hours did not match field results. "For a house maybe you can get by," the contractor said; "when you have acres of parking space, you just need something strong enough that's going to last."

Bob (Robert) Hart of Hart Realty Advisors, who introduced himself to the board as the new manager for Washington Park Plaza, said his firm had invested in equipment and charging trailers but that the industry had not yet delivered a reliable commercial electric solution for large properties. "We have committed to trying to do things to get better," Hart said, adding that the market and manufacturers must catch up with local regulation.

Board members said they support the ban's intent but recognized a practical gap for large commercial properties. Trustees said they expect to see visible progress if further exemptions are sought and cautioned that future extensions are not automatic. The board amended the resolution to include an explicit condition that electric blowers be used on sidewalks and stairwells at the exempted properties.

The motion to approve the amended exemption carried unanimously. The board recorded "Yes" votes from Trustee Epstein, Trustee Crom, Trustee Morino and Deputy Mayor David Heiser. The exemptions run through Oct. 1, 2026; each property may reapply at that time.