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Landscapers come together ahead of possible ban on leaf blowers in Palm Springs

Published July 19, 2017 12:27 AM

Landscapers who work in Palm Springs are coming together against a proposed ban on leaf blowers. They are hoping city leaders will hear their concerns about a big part of their business.

“The blowers are one of the main components of our equipment. We use them all day long, ” Alvaro Rochin of Al Landscape said. “I know that they produce fumes. They also pick up a lot of dust.”

Back in June, city leaders in Palm Springs introduced the idea of banning both gas and electric leaf blowers, but put off the vote. They argued that noise complaints and growing environmental concerns justified the ban. The ordinance would either ban the use of leaf blowers or alternatively place limitations and regulations on the usage of them.

Rochin hopes that some form of agreement could be reached where they could at least use battery powered blowers. He says that the outcome will have a direct effect on consumers from cost to the time it takes to do their job. “We will have to pass the cost onto the consumer that’s all. The consumer would be affected people in this case.”

Palm Springs City Council will meet on Wednesday, July 19th to consider the ordinance related to the regulation of leaf blowers.

“It has been an issue for several years the city’s sustainable commission made a recommendation to council based on air quality issues, noise issues,” Palm Springs City Manager Dr. David Ready says. “But again, City Council wants to balance those concerns as well as the community values and standards of leaf blowing in our landscaping.”

The Council will consider many possible solutions and will view demonstrations before their discussion at tomorrow’s meeting. However the issue won’t be settled tomorrow Ready says. “They will give us some direction tomorrow and we will come back with an ordinance some time in September.”

KESQ News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 will be at the meeting and provide updates on what is decided.