Politics & Government

Council Continues Discussion on Leaf Blower Ban

The City Council will move forward with a potential leaf blower ban at Monday's meeting.

The will continue moving forward with proposed restrictions on leaf blower use in the city during its meeting Monday night.

, the City Council held a study session, during which members heard from Citizen’s Environmental Council representatives on a suggested plan of action regarding banning or limiting the use of leaf blowers.

The CEC prepared two sample ordinances to bring before the council. One would ban only gas-powered leaf blowers—which emit carbon monoxide into the air—and the other would ban both gas and electric leaf blowers.

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JoAnneh Nagler, who presented the ordinances and a report on leaf blower safety to the council, said an ordinance would be relatively easy to enforce.

After the study session, council members seemed in favor of looking further into leaf blower restrictions. The City conducted a survey to garner public opinion. Community members were evenly split between supporting and opposing a complete leaf blower ban. However, many residents expressed interest in banning gas-powered blowers in residential areas and a reduction of use hours.

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At tonight’s meeting, members will introduce the ordinance, but waive further action until a public hearing, tentatively planned for September 6.

According to a staff report, Burlingame officials suggest banning all gas-powered leaf blowers (electric leaf blowers will still be allowed), discontinuing leaf blower use on the weekends in residential areas and mandating all leaf blowers display proper labels with the model number and noise level, not to exceed 65 decibels.

The current Burlingame Municipal Code allows only leaf blowers operated at a noise level of 65 decibels or less from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays and holidays, with extended hours for city park and facility areas.

The City Council members are also scheduled to discuss increased dog off-leash hours for Washington Park for a three-month trial period, the status of cell phone antenna installation in Burlingame and cell phone usage guidelines.

For the entire agenda of tonight’s meeting, click here.


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