Narberth council adopts phased ban on gas leaf blowers, greenlight for parking and vegetation changes and approves several infrastructure items

At its April 16 meeting Narberth Borough Council voted on a slate of ordinances and capital matters, adopting an ordinance to phase out gas‑powered leaf blowers and approving infrastructure contracts and grant applications.

Leaf blower ban: Council adopted Ordinance No. 1069 to phase out gas‑powered leaf blowers on a staggered schedule. Staff clarified the near‑term window will be Sept. 1–Oct. 1 this year (education and outreach to contractors will precede enforcement), with expanded seasonal restrictions in 2027 and a full ban planned in 2029.

Vegetation and parking: Council authorized advertisement of Ordinance No. 1071, which harmonizes tree/sidewalk clearance standards (changing one chapter from 9 ft to 8 ft), removes a proposed 4‑ft maximum hedge height so existing privacy hedges need not be cut, and codifies prior council approvals removing 2‑hour parking restrictions on specific blocks (including parts of South Essex and Price Avenue). Council removed an appendix table amendment from this ordinance because it would constitute a substantive zoning change requiring separate zoning amendment procedures under the Municipalities Planning Code.

Capital and operational actions (Votes at a glance): - Bid award: 2026 road program — authorized $219,466 award to T Schifer Contractors Inc. (within budgeted $225,000 highway fund). - Parks capital: Approved ~ $21,000 to remove deteriorated bleachers and nearby trees and restore the slope lawn at the Windwood/Windsor field (master parks plan recommendation); staff noted netting replacement costs for other field runs range higher and will be considered in capital planning. - Escrow release: Authorized release of $3,850 for public improvements at 202 Dudley Avenue after final verification. - PennDOT reimbursement: Authorized manager to sign an administrative amendment reallocating PennDOT reimbursement buckets so the borough can request construction‑phase reimbursements for the bridge project. - Grants: Council authorized submission of a DCNR grant application for the Elm Grove Park pedestrian bridge; staff noted county and state grants can count toward match requirements.

Council described outreach and education plans tied to implementation of the leaf blower ordinance and said staff will continue communication for all implemented items.

Votes at a glance (outcomes): - Consent agenda (A–C): approved (unanimous) - Ordinance 1069 (gas‑powered leaf blowers): adopted (unanimous) - Table authorization for Ordinance 1070 (recodification): tabled - Authorize advertisement Ordinance 1071 (vegetation & parking): authorized (vote recorded) - Bid award: T Schifer Contractors ($219,466): authorized - Parks capital (bleachers): authorized (~$21,000) - Escrow release (202 Dudley Ave): authorized ($3,850) - PennDOT signatory resolution: authorized - DCNR grant application (Elm Grove Park pedestrian bridge): authorized

All adopted actions were recorded as unanimous in the meeting record; individual roll‑call tallies were not printed in the transcript.