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After residents raise transition concerns, Juno Beach council pauses enforcement of gas‑powered leaf‑blower ban for six months
Summary
Residents told council the one‑year transition to electric leaf blowers left landscapers unprepared; council voted unanimously to pause enforcement of Ordinance 7‑68 for six months so staff can study impacts and potential assistance for local landscape providers.
During public comment, multiple residents urged the council to reconsider enforcement timelines for Ordinance 7‑68, which phases out gas‑powered leaf blowers. Thomas Lassimere, president of The Preserve at Juno Beach HOA, said his small community and its contractor were told about the ordinance months earlier but the contractor still considered the transition financially impractical. "This creates the undesirable situation that the service providers will either operate in violation or cancel their service contracts," Lassimere said, asking whether the town would offer subsidies or guidance.
Sydney Vickers described landscapers being stopped by police and residents not receiving clear notice of the rule’s dates and time restrictions. "We really need to determine if the benefit is worth the cost," she said. Council discussed enforcement options and whether to delay citations while staff explores alternatives; staff said the town’s current approach has been outreach and education rather than issuing citations.
Council later voted unanimously to impose a six‑month pause on enforcement to allow time for additional study and outreach. The council directed staff to report back with information on contractor impacts, possible subsidy options and a recommended enforcement timeline.
