The Sun
Sunnyvale's Newspaper

City launches noise study

that includes leaf blowers

A ban on leaf blowers unlikely, councilmembers indicate

By Justin Berton

The hottest political issue sweeping through local governments blew into Sunnyvale Sept. 29, after councilmembers voted to launch a broad study to measure noise pollution in the city, including the noise created by leaf blowers.

The study will cover all elements of noise pollution that sour the quality of life in Sunnyvale, from thumping stereo-equipment stores to rumbling delivery trucks in downtown.

Though findings from the study won't be brought before the council until February, some councilmembers already hinted that there was little chance a total ban on leaf blowers would be accepted.

Councilmember Julia Miller, who has taken the lead on the noise study, said she opposes a ban, instead calling for restrictions on the hours of operation.

Currently, the Sunnyvale noise ordinance allows gas-powered equipment such as lawn mowers and gas blowers to be used up until 10 p.m. Miller and others who spoke at the meeting asked that those hours be scaled back.

"I just want to see noise reduced and pollution reduced," Miller said.

Miller also said five months was too long to wait for the results of the study, and attempted to persuade her colleagues to vote on the regulations at the meeting--a move that was denied.

Before councilmembers unanimously approved the study, advocates for and against leaf blowers spoke on the issue.

Don Howard, owner of a local gardening retail store, said leaf-blower manufacturers were responding to complaints from the public. Howard said designs for new models of leaf blowers drastically cut back on noise and air pollution.

"[Manufacturers] are hearing the message loud and clear," Howard said.

But some residents said the noise generated from leaf blowers is unbearable.

One resident, who first pled for a ban on the tools, later quipped, "I also want to see a shock collar on every leaf blower," referring to collars worn by dogs who bark excessively.

Another resident claimed gardeners next door to her Sunnyvale home use leaf blowers, creating noise levels comparable to "demolishing a house or an airplane crashing."

Gardener's Association executive director Juan Carlos Pardo said his group, which represents 300 local gardeners, supports limiting the hours of operation, respecting holidays and educating his gardeners not to use the leaf blowers excessively.

"These problems need to be dialogued out," Pardo said. "It's not just a simple solution where you say, 'Just ban it.' "

David Boesch, Sunnyvale's director of community development, announced that the city will hold at least one public forum that will be incorporated into the study.

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This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, October 7, 1998.
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