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Committee explores phased restrictions on gas-powered leaf blowers
Summary
Committee members heard staff present health and noise data about gas-powered leaf blowers and discussed a phased approach similar to nearby jurisdictions; members asked staff to prepare a memo and consult landscapers and other stakeholders before asking full council to investigate drafting an ordinance.
The Smart Growth Committee opened a discussion on possible restrictions for gas-powered leaf blowers, prompted by staff's summary of environmental and noise concerns and examples from other jurisdictions.
Chair Jerry Spaniak said more than 200 U.S. municipalities have bans or restrictions on gas-powered blowers and cited studies staff reviewed: meeting remarks included the claim that these blowers contribute roughly 50% of all air pollution from small gas-powered yard equipment despite making up a smaller share of unit sales, that 30 minutes of running a two-stroke engine can generate pollution comparable to driving a pickup truck about 2,000 miles, and that operator noise can reach 90'00 decibels (exceeding a common 85 dB hearing threshold). "We should consider this as well," the chair said.
Members debated timing and effect on local contractors. Some favored a phased approach similar to Lower Merion's example (initial seasonal restrictions, then a tighter schedule with a later move to year-round limits); others cautioned about hardship for small landscaping businesses and borough contractors that rely on gas equipment. Code/building staff said owner permission is already required for some permits and recommended surveying local landscapers to estimate equipment inventories and useful life.
Public commenter Anne Carroll urged piloting electric equipment in borough contracts to test costs and operations and warned of battery-recycling and fire risks reported in the press. "There have been 3 to 5 fires just this past month in places that recycle," she said, urging caution and local testing before broad mandates.
Next steps: Staff agreed to draft a short memo and model form describing possible restrictions and desired outcomes and to bring that to the committee and then to full council if committee members support investigating a draft ordinance; committee members said the effort would focus on leaf blowers only, not snow blowers or lawnmowers.
Why it matters: Noise, air-quality and public-health concerns are driving similar rules elsewhere; local decisions will affect homeowners, landscaping contractors and borough maintenance costs.
