COF 2023-205
Proposed amendments to the Gas-powered Leaf Blowers Ordinance
Per Policy Order 2023 #163, the City Council directed the City Manager to develop ordinance language to that effect.CMA 2023 #268delivered recommended language. A community meeting and listening session for landscape professionals and all interested parties has been scheduled for Monday, November 27, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.,via Zoom, to gather any input as to the proposed changes. An Ordinance Committee meeting will be held on November 28, 2023 at 3:00 p.m.
The timelines proposed by city staff for the phase out are longer than had been discussed at prior meetings, and are at odds with surrounding communities.
Therefore, at our Ordinance Committee meeting, I will be moving to amend the yet-to-be adopted leaf blower ordinance language, which will appear under Chapter 8.16.081 of the Municipal Code of the City of Cambridge, proposing the language below. 8.16.081.4 - Transition. The prohibition of gas-powered leaf blower equipment use shall be subject to the following timeline: 1. Owner Use Transition Period.
The use by owners, other than multi-parcel owners with an operations plan, on their own property will be allowed until March 15, 2025. 2. Commercial Leaf Blower Operators and Multi-parcel Owners Use Transition Period: The use by commercial leaf blower operators and multi-parcel owners will be allowed until March 15,20272026. 3. Municipal Use Transition Period: The use by City employees or City contractors will be allowed until March 15,20272026. CITY HALL, CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS 02139 Email: pnolan@cambridgema.gov As is shown in the chart below which summarizes current timelines for some Massachusetts municipalities, cities and towns have taken different approaches to phased-out limitations for residential, commercial, and municipal use, but each of the below municipalities have committed to 2025 or 2026 for commercial use.
Maintaining the same timeline for commercial use and municipal use allows the City to work toward its goal of phasing out the use of gas-powered leaf blowing equipment in a manner that treats all commercial operators the same, regardless of whether or not they contract for the City. Environmental and worker justice demand we take more urgent action to reduce the use of gas-powered leaf blowers as soon as possible.
In addition to these communities, other municipalities are considering similar action on aggressive timelines across the state and across the country.
Therecent report from MASSPIRGdocuments many of the adverse public impacts and highlights the drawbacks of gas-powered lawn equipment and the benefits of transitioning to electric-powered equipment. Town/City Phase-out Timeline Cambridge City Manager Proposed Resident – March 15, 2025 Commercial – March 15, 2027 Municipal –March 15, 2027 Arlington Residential – March 15, 2026 Commercial – March 15, 2025 Municipal – March 15, 2025 Belmont Residential – January 1, 2026 Commercial – January 1, 2026 Municipal – January 1, 2026 Dedham Residential – March 15, 2027 Commercial – March 15, 2026 Lexington Residential – March 15, 2026 Commercial – March 15, 2025 Marblehead Use is prohibited from Memorial Day to Labor Day by all users effective as of July 20, 2023 Swampscott Use is prohibited from Memorial Day to Labor Day by all users as of May 15, 2023 I look forward to discussing the proposed amendments with you all at the Ordinance Committee meeting on November 28. Sincerely, Patricia Nolan Cambridge City Councillor 2