The Greenburgh Town Board has scheduled a public hearing for Wednesday, July 13 at 7:30 PM at Greenburgh Town Hall to discuss a temporary local law dealing with leaf blowers. If the law is enacted no leaf blowers will be allowed to be used in unincorporated Greenburgh on Tuesdays and Thursdays. And -on weekends leaf blowers would only be allowed to be used between the hours of 11 AM and 4 PM. The law would only be tested for a few months -till October 15. At the conclusion of the test we will consider a longer term leaf blower law.
Enacting a leaf blower law has been among the most difficult quality of life issues to address. Very strong feelings on all sides.
There are residents who can't deal with the noise from leaf blowers. There are other residents who object to government telling them what they can or can't do. Or, who can't afford landscapers and need the blowers for their property maintenance. Some communities in Westchester only allow electric blowers but the Conservation Advisory Committee feels that electric blowers contribute to health issues -particles from leaf blowers get into lungs.
This proposed local law is a beginning. Will provide residents with the ability to experience quiet two days during the week. We can evaluate our effectiveness dealing with enforcement of the law during the period the legislation is in place. And, can also educate people about leaf blowers and options. E mail your thoughts to townboard@greenburghny.com
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor
Local Law No. /2022
A local law amending § 380-7(I) of the Town Code of the Town of Greenburgh pursuant to New York State Constitution Article IX and New York Municipal Home Rule Law § 10 creating and regulating the use of leaf and garden blowers.
BE IT ENACTED by the Town Board of the Town of Greenburgh:
§ 1. Title.
§ 2. Legislative Findings.
§ 3. Amendment to § 380-7(I).
§ 4. Severability.
§ 5. Effective Date.
§ 1. Title. This law is entitled “A local law amending § 380-7(I) regulating the use and operation of yard and garden blowers.”
§ 2. Legislative Findings.
For the promotion of public welfare, the Town Board of the Town of Greenburgh finds it necessary to amend the Town Code by regulating the permissible use of yard and garden blowers within the Town to address noise and environmental concerns.
§ 3. Amendment to § 380-7(I).
§ 380-7(I) of the Greenburgh Town Code is hereby amended as follows (deleted text in strikeout; new text underlined):
- Beginning on July 1, 2022 and including October 15, 2022 the operation of yard and garden blowers are permitted only on (i) Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during the hours 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, and (ii) weekends during the hours of 11:00 am and 4:00 pm when used by or on behalf of residents, or individuals renting, the property on which the blower is used. The operation of
gasoline-powered power lawn mowers, leaf blowers or other gasoline-powered lawn or garden equipment or construction tools is prohibited between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. any weekday, before 9:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. Saturday or any holiday or before 11:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. Sunday. Operation of a gasoline-power lawn mower, leaf blower or other gasoline-powered lawn or garden equipment or construction tool in a residential zone may not exceed 75 dBA measured 50 feet from the property line any time. Operation of gasoline-powered leaf and garden blowers in excess of 55 75 dBA is prohibited. from May 1 through October 1 of each year. Town Public Works and Parks and Recreation Department employees are authorized to operate yard and leaf blowers during the hours between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm on days that use of blowers are permitted.
§ 4. Severability
The provisions of this local law are intended to be severable. If any provision of this local law is found by a Court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, such findings shall not be deemed to invalidate the local law as a whole, nor any other section or provision thereof, other than that which is found to be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid.
§ 5. Effective Date
This local law shall take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State and cease to be in effect one year after filing unless extended by the Town Board.