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Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct an error in the hours of use.
The Menlo Park City Council passed a motion in a 3-2 vote to prohibit gas-powered leaf blowers and string trimmers, commonly known as Weedwackers, starting July 1, 2024.
Vice Mayor Cecilia Taylor and Council member Drew Combs opposed the ban on gas-powered gardening equipment.
Combs had concerns over using the city’s police to enforce a regulation on gardening equipment, and the varying consequences across the city.
“I know in this case, there will be disparate impacts with regard to the enforcement of an ordinance, a measure like this, and that it will be mostly people of color who will be targeted, who will have the police called on them,” Combs said.
Under the new ordinance, the property owner would be responsible for violations that occur on their property, not their hired gardeners, and gas-powered lawnmowers, hedge trimmers and chainsaws would be prohibited years later, starting Jan. 1, 2029. The hours of allowed use aren’t changing from those currently permitted for electric gardening equipment, which allows anyone to use it Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and by residents-only on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Combs said that despite the fact the infraction or fine will go to the property owner, the people who will actually have law enforcement called on them are disproportionately people of color.
“For me, it’s hard to wrap my brain around how this is not just criminalizing people of color doing their jobs,” Combs said.
Council member Nash said that she shares concerns about the health of the gardeners, but that the council could move in the direction of state or city incentives to switch to electric gardening tools.
Vice Mayor Cecilia Taylor expressed concern over the low numbers of outreach, with only 12 gardeners in Menlo Park responding to the city’s survey. Taylor said that she would expect at least 50 responses. Taylor also said she had concerns about the ordinance disproportionately impacting residents making under $100,000 a year.
“It’s a good intention to not have gas leaf blowers, to (not) have anything gas,” Taylor said. “However, I have to consider the folks who it’s going to disproportionately impact, which is that that’s their income, and it’s not like it’s a high income.”
The ban on gas-powered equipment came as a result of public health and noise concerns. A 2001 study from the American Chemical Society showed that one hour of using a gas-powered lawn mower produces as much pollution as driving a car for 100 miles.
The council determined that there will be an adjustment period, when law enforcement is focused on education instead of repercussions. City staff is doing further research on making homeowner rebates hardship-based, in order to help residents get the necessary equipment.
The city will be studying enforcement options, as well as conducting outreach.
The ordinance will return to the City Council on June 27 for formal adoption.
I don’t particularly care for gas blowers and mowers; I maintain my own yard, and I no longer have them. However, for those who have a landscaping business – this is going to be a challenge for them to adjust. A few months ago, there was a booth set up in Belle Haven to promote this law; when I talked to them, they were at a loss of how to get in touch with the people who use these things as part of their regular job. There’s a disconnect, I fear.
People should be prepared for their lawn care/gardener costs to go up. Electric tools are expensive and the batteries are VERY expensive. And a battery won’t last the entire day so gardeners will have to buy numerous batteries. That cost will get passed on. Yet another “save the world” law full of unintended, or ignored consequences. I wish our council would think these things through instead of blindly passing laws that have negative effects for little to no benefit.
I think that rather than focusing on the difficulties for the gardeners to transition to electric we should focus on the health benefits to the gardeners and the rest of us from the transition. We can improve outreach, we can provide financial incentives, we can encourage homeowners to help out by providing their own equipment for use by their gardener, and we can work to end the mindset that requires a pristine landscape over a few leaves on the ground. We cannot, however, allow the noise and toxic emissions to continue as the alternative to doing these things.
Hi say good step to get rid of gas leaf blowers. Homeowners in Portola, Valley, and Menlo Park can easily pay to switch to electric. What I don’t like is putting the ban out six years from now. That’s crazy. I’d like to see it done tomorrow. When people talk about it, unfairly targeting people of color, they should consider the fact that these people of color will not be inhaling toxic fumes all day so it’s a good thing all the way around.
I agree with Combs and Taylor. This will affect the gardeners here, big time. Gardeners need to buy new equipment. Slick!!!! Holding the property owner responsible. That’s perfect. Homeowner not home working and the gardener they hire breaks the ordinance. Fair? This could not be more stupid. Common on?
“We cannot, however, allow the noise and toxic emissions to continue as the alternative to doing these things.”
Because we live out in the countryside where there are no other noises like jets flying overhead, or sirens, or, and no other toxic fumes around like car exhaust. Yeah, sure, let’s “save the world” on someone else’s back and not actually do anything that actually makes a difference. Don’t hurt yourself patting yourself on the back for “saving the world”.
Prices for battery tools have come down and are comparable to gas models now. All the gardeners know the switch is coming, and are prepared to shake down MP residents with stories about “how expensive” switching is costing them. They are quieter and yes “potentially better for the environment”, but the quiet part is what I believe most of us are interested in. Make the switch soon please council.
New Guy:
Great idea yet, we in the USA only maybe 16% of the global solution. Too bad the other 84% won’t come on board. Our friendly neighbors: that 84%, won’t play. Sad….. a huge disappointment. A huge expense to tax payers for such a small % for a green economy.
New Guy:
if it was only about noise, I’d say you have a point, but for the people pushing this nonsense, it’s not. It’s about air quality and reducing CO2. Never mind the fact batteries require charging and 35 to 55 percent of the power to charge those batteries is generated by burning natural gas depending on the time of year. Boy that’s sure going to cut down on CO2 emissions now isn’t it? This is just more of the same “save the world” nonsense from the usual suspects.
As to noise, you live in the middle of a city in a large metropolitan area with three international airports close by. Is cutting down on the noise produced by a leaf blower going to make a real difference in the overall volume of noise you are exposed to each and every day that comes from the simple fact of where you live?