City adds teeth to long-ignored ban on gas-powered leaf blowers

Our recent (April 2023) experience with Craig Hartley ("Palo Alto hired a code enforcement officer last year who is specifically focused on the regulation") does not bode well for the city's ability to enforce this law fairly and honestly. We received a letter dated 4/13/23 telling us we had to "advise your landscape professional to stop using the gas-powered leaf blower by 04/20/2023." Our gardener assured us that he never used a gas-powered leaf blower. The letter arrived in the mail on 4/22/2023. We attempted to reach Hartley by phone for over a week with no success. We then asked the administrative staff who answered the phone in the Code Enforcement Office for details about the finding. She gave us the day and time cited by the person who made the complaint to Code Enforcement. Neither was the day or time our gardener routinely comes to our house. I confirmed this with her and asked for an explanation. She could not give me that, but she assured me that the Code Enforcement Officer would typically go to the address provided by the complainant, park in an unmarked car and observe the gardener before issuing a letter. A few days later (on 4/27/23) Hartley called our home, talked to my husband and told him that our "record was wiped clean." So he obviously used the wrong address, wrong time, wrong day without checking! But there was no acknowledgement of his error, no apologies! If the city wants to enforce this law they need to do it correctly.

The article says nothing about gas powered mowers, trimmers, edgers. As well from what I gather here. Places like Mayfield Place 2500 ECR which is associated with no neighborhood and is on SRP land AND is a residential community. So management may use all gas powered landscaping equipment and can start anytime day or night? Yes MP where is an overwhelming amount of air, light, noise pollution on this strip which residents are subjected to daily, hourly. Many residents are immune compromised, kids who have lung issues . Another PA contradiction -- must have solar panels yet no care for polluting residents lives with all of the above including the hypocrisy for climate friendly solutions. Oh wait. This leaf blower thing is all about SFH's property values, right? Not about the quality of life for all incomes, ages, abilities, home locations .... Or is this about the elite saying "don't make the perfect the enemy of the good" .

Gas-powered leaf blowers should definitely be banned EVERYWHERE in Palo Alto. Why are they still allowed in “mixed use” areas, by condominiums and businesses? Residents in condos and apartment complexes and business workers deserve consideration too. Science tells us that noise is a health risk. We’ve got so much traffic and airplane noise. Banning gas-powered leaf blowers throughout the city is easy. We shouldn’t still be discussing this! It’s time to take care of all residents and workers in Palo Alto.

Unfortunately the new fines are useless as the enforcers are asleep at the wheel. I’ve had a complaint in for months and no response. I have pictures, video, truck license plate number and the schedule of when they arrive so basically an open and shut case and still no response.

Its teeth with no mouth

A simpler suggestion...what if residents simply provided the Code Enforcement Office with cellphone pics including location, time, and the license plate of the landscaper?

Then Mr. Hartley could follow-up on his own, issuing warnings and citations if warranted.

Residents could then follow-up on these incidents by contacting the office or Mr. Hartley via phone call/message, letter, or email.

Another option would be to limit the use of gas-powered leaf blowers from1-2 days per week.

That way, PA residents and landscape professionals can strike a compromise.

Leaf blowers (whether gas or AC powered) stir up a lot of dirt and allergens. Neither one is optimal.

The other options, using a hand rake or water is either slow, noisy, or wasteful.

Alternative solution: eliminate all natural lawns and shrubbery. Have a rock garden instead with some succulents for greenery or install artificial turf.

Done deal.

Roberta Peterson,

What a clever solution you came up with!!!! Tell me, what trees should we plant that are leafless year round? And should we all dig out all our trees and then replace them with the leafless ones? Because I have not one blade of grass in my professionally designed garden but I have 11 mature trees .... Please preach responsibly.