TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Mark Danaj, City Manager
FROM:
Anne McIntosh, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Title
Discussion of Leaf Blower Ordinance (Community Development Director McIntosh).
ACCEPT REPORT AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
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Recommended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council discuss the current leaf blower ordinance which prohibits the use of all leaf blowers throughout the City and uphold the ordinance as written. If the City Council determines that there may be a desire to amend the Ordinance, direction can be provided to staff to agendize an ordinance amendment on a future agenda.
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FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There is no fiscal impact related to the use or non-use of leaf blowers. Any revenue of related citations is an offset to the staff required in code enforcement and the Police Department to enforce the regulations.
BACKGROUND:
In 1998, the City adopted Ordinance 1986 banning the use of leaf blowers due to noise and pollution impacts on the environment.
DISCUSSION:
A copy of the staff report and accompanying documentation from September 1, 1998 agenda packet is attached. The primary concern of the use of leaf blowers is the associated noise, particularly with gas powered blowers. However, the dust that is blown around is also a pollutant according to standard air quality definitions, so even electric leaf blowers can result in this impact.
Recently, a resident complained that the leaf blower prohibition presents a hardship to gardeners, which he feels makes it difficult for Manhattan Beach residents to secure gardening services.
Code enforcement and the Police Department regularly cite violators on both a proactive and complaint basis.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
A change to the leaf blower ordinance will require an environmental review pursuant to CEQA.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and deter...
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