HomeMy WebLinkAboutGas Powered Leaf Blower Discussion PresentationGas Powered Leaf Blower Discussion
Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Discussion
Medina Council Meeting
October 10, 2022
History
In October 2020, the Medina Council amended Chapter 8.06 of the Medina Municipal Code - limited sounds created by powered equipment when used by a resident or by the Overlake Golf & Country Club and limited professional yard maintenance and landscaping hours.
In June 2021, then-City Manager Michael Sauerwein held virtual community forum on gas-powered lawn equipment.
October 11, 2021, City Manager Sauerwein gave presentation to City Council on “Gas-Powered Lawn Equipment for Yard Maintenance & Landscaping.
In December 2021, gas-powered lawn equipment discussion tabled because of City Manager transition.
At the September 12, 2022, Medina Council Meeting, staff was given direction to research options regarding gas-powered leaf blowers.
Discussion Points and Options
Council could delay the discussion to see if either King County or the State of Washington will pass legislation banning gas-powered leaf blowers.
Council could table discussion and potential decisions to see if this option occurs.
Council could take proactive step to recommend that King County and/or the State of Washington pass legislation restricting gas-powered leaf blowers.
Council could refer, reprioritize the Planning Commission Workplan and provide specific guidance to the Planning Commission to review and to provide recommendations regarding gas-powered leaf blowers.
</
Council to provide staff direction for any of the following:
Ask staff to get community feedback through community forum, Engage Medina, mailers, City webpage, etc. This would allow Council to gain a level of interest from residents.
Direct staff to include information regarding gas-powered leaf blowers in future City Newsletters, create topic page in Engage Medina (with options for surveys), and add information to the webpage.
Recommend or require Medina City Public Works to replace gas-powered leaf blowers with electric – either immediately or when phasing out old equipment.
Encourage residents to voluntarily replace gas-powered equipment with electric.
Discussion Points and Options
Council could direct staff to prepare a resolution which could include any of the items discussed.
Council could address increase noise issues in the community.
Review all ordinances pertaining to noise.
Research other issues pertaining to noise – power washing, etc.
Council could pass an ordinance to ban gas-powered leaf blowers.
Discussion Points and Options
8.06.160. - Work hours for commercial construction and development activities and professional yard maintenance and landscaping.
A. General. Commercial construction and development activities and professional yard maintenance and landscaping may take place only between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on weekdays. On Saturdays, commercial construction and development activities may occur between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and professional yard maintenance and landscaping may occur between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. No such work is allowed on Sundays or legal holidays set forth in RCW 1.16.050(1).
Medina Municipal Code – Landscaping Hours
8.06.140. - Exemptions—Sounds exempt during daylight hours.
The following sounds are exempt from this chapter between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on weekdays, and between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on weekends, unless different hours are specified:
A. Sounds created by bells, chimes, or carillons not operating for more than five minutes during any one-hour time frame;
B. Sounds created by blasting, provided their operations are between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, and between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Saturday.
C. Sounds originating from lawful pickets, marches, parades, rallies, and other similar public events.
D. Sounds created by powered equipment when used by a resident or by the Overlake Golf and Country Club for the temporary or periodic maintenance or repair of their property or its appurtenances, including lawnmowers, leaf blowers, powered hand tools, and snow-removal equipment, provided such use is between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on weekdays and between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on weekends.
E. Sounds originating from the required testing of emergency equipment such as generators.
Medina Municipal Code – Landscaping Hours
Questions/Discussion