Lower Merion is revisiting its leaf blower ban, now in effect, after confusion over what equipment is included
A proposed amendment would clarify that the township's ban on gas-powered leaf blowers only applies to handheld and backpack-style appliances, not wheeled equipment.
Lower Merion’s gas-powered leaf blower ban went into effect on Monday, but a procedural hiccup has reignited a debate over exactly how far a prohibition on the landscaping tools can, and should, go.
Lower Merion’s board of commissioners voted last fall to ban gas-powered leaf blowers, first on a seasonal basis and then, beginning in 2029, permanently. The ban that took effect this week will run through Oct. 1 for the summer season.
Enforcement is complaint-based, and residents are encouraged to report violations via email, phone, or Lower Merion’s LM Report-It App (the township’s preferred method). Violators will first get a warning, then a $100 fine for a first offense, a $250 fine for a second offense, and a $600 fine for a third or subsequent offense.
Lower Merion’s ban follows similar legislation in communities such as Montclair, N.J., and Evanston, Ill. It saw wide support from residents, who cited noise issues and environmental and health concerns. Narberth passed a similar measure this spring, and Radnor is considering one.
Local landscapers, however, warned that electric substitutes are not yet advanced enough to replace gas-powered machines, and that the ban will put financial stress on their businesses.
Lower Merion’s leaf blower debate took center stage again on May 20 when the township commissioners moved ahead an amendment specifying exemptions for wheeled walk-behind, stand-on, riding, and tow-behind leaf blowers and chemical sprayers. Officials said the amendment clarifies the original intent of the ordinance, which was designed to ban backpack-style gas-powered blowers and not larger wheeled equipment.
Paloma Vila, Lower Merion’s sustainability manager, said the leaf blower ordinance passed last fall was never intended to ban wheeled machines or chemical sprayers.
“That was clear to staff. I believe that was clear to a lot of the board. I thought it was clear to the public. We found out after it was rolled out that there was different interpretations,” she said.
Lower Merion has already been instructing large institutions within the township to switch to tow-behind and other larger machines, in addition to electric equipment, Vila said.
In an email, she said wheeled machines are “operationally and functionally distinct” from the handheld and backpack blowers targeted by last fall’s ban.
The board voted to advertise the amendment, and will vote on its passage at a future meeting.
Commissioners said the amendment would clarify the ban’s language and make it more legally defensible.
“What we are passing tonight is what this board passed last fall,” Commissioner Ray Courtney said, addressing attendees.
Courtney later remarked that “part of the reason we’re in the somewhat confusing situation we’re in tonight is because we attempted to legislate on the fly, or at least not give ourselves the proper amount of time to deliberate amendments that came before us back in November.”
The proposed amendment faced considerable pushback from residents, many of whom described it as defanging a previously strong piece of environmental legislation.
“This proposed exemption is a major policy change, not a clarification,” said Bryn Mawr resident and physician David Pole. “… The public health and sustainability goals of the ordinance will be effectively erased.”
Bala Cynwyd resident Marion Williams warned the amendment “sharply reduces the efficacy of the passed ordinance.”
Board President Todd Sinai said whether or not the ban should have encompassed larger machines like tow-behind blowers and chemical sprayers is “kind of moot.”
“The board did decide to allow them,” he said.
“We’ve given guidance, as [Vila] said, to companies that they can use these things,” Sinai said. “Peak season for using them is this summer. It would be irresponsible for the township to go and amend this current ordinance, which would take effect this June, to prohibit this equipment that we’ve been telling companies that they can use, and it would take effect immediately.”
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