Newport Beach bans gardeners from using gas leaf blowers

The Newport Beach City Council this week approved an ordinance prohibiting gardeners from using gas-powered leaf blowers.

After a lengthy discussion and the failure of a motion to also ban electric blowers, the council voted 4 to 3 to require groundskeepers to use only more quiet methods to collect leaves and debris.

“I hate blowers,” Councilman Rush Hill said. “They just drive us crazy in our house.”

Hill is not alone in the city -- residents in Corona del Mar organized a petition drive in 2009 and surveyed their neighbors. Their complaints were wide-ranging, including debris falling into the storm drains. “It’s not just the noise,” Councilwoman Nancy Gardner said. “For many people, it’s about kicking up all the dust.”

Homeowner associations will be able to opt-out of the ban.

Read the full story: Newport council moves forward on banning leaf blowers

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-- Mike Reicher, Daily Pilot / Times Community News

Photo: Blowing up a noisy debate. Credit: Associated Press

Comments

[Hugh Jazz]

Good. Now if only the rest of the cities (and country) would follow suit. What a complete waste of gas to accomplish nothing. Instead of collecting the stuff and throwing it in a compost bin, WHRRRRRRRRR let's blow it all over the street and into the neighbor's yard. Whoop de freakin do.