Landscapers and home gardeners can continue using their leaf blowers in Sonoma, for now, after the City Council on Wednesday sent the possibility of a ban on the yard cleanup tools to a subcommittee for more research.
The issue of banning leaf blowers has drawn considerable passion from Sonoma residents, and eight of them spoke during the council meeting, urging the city to either ban the noisy tools completely, restrict their hours of use or stay out of it.
One resident, a landscaper, asked the council to drop the issue, arguing a ban would put him out of business.
Four of five council members supported having the city's community services and environmental commission study the leaf blowers' noise, air pollution, financial implications to the city and effects on tourism. The discussion didn't include issues of enforcement or potential penalties.
Sonoma resident Lisa Summers, the driving force behind a ban, asked the council to prohibit leaf blowers, most of which are gas-powered, arguing that they disrupt the quality of life, cause air pollution and contribute to a range of health problems.
Her request focused on the city's recent designation as a cittaslow, or "slow city," an environmental and quality of life movement that started in Italy.
"Leaf blowers are an assault on the senses, the immune system and all living things," she said. "They are as unneighborly as can possibly be."
Landscaper Jerry Bruno, a Sonoma resident for 30 years who has run a landscaping company for 20 years, was just as firm in his opposition to a ban.
"If I don't have a blower, I'm out of work. That puts me on the unemployment line," he said. "I'm a little angry about this. They are an important part of my tools. I need a blower to work."
Bruno suggested restricting the operating hours to after 9 a.m. and before 5 p.m. and not on weekends.
About 20 California cities, many of them affluent suburban enclaves, have passed ordinances either banning or restricting gas-powered leaf blowers. Sebastopol tabled the issue last year and will take it up again this fall.
Sonoma's existing noise ordinance prohibits the use of "residential power equipment" such as leaf blowers, before 8 a.m., later on weekends and holidays, and every day after 6 p.m. Noise limits are set at 90 decibels. Power-tool industry officials said most newer leaf blowers operate at 65 decibels or less.
Council members Joanne Sanders, Ken Brown, Laurie Gallian and Mayor Steve Barbose all supported further research into restrictions or a possible ban and its implications.
Aug Sebastiani was alone in his opposition, suggesting instead that neighbors simply talk to each other if someone's garden habits are bothersome.
"I'd like to see this addressed with neighborly conversations," he said. "I don't understand how the city, the long arm of the law, needs to come and shut down leaf blowers."
Sanders acknowledged that her husband uses a leaf blower, albeit a quieter, electric model.
"I'm not steadfastly opposed to the use of them," she said, adding that "I can live with a few more leaves on the ground. I don't need the parking lot to be pristine."
Barbose said he hoped to have the issue back to the council by October.
You can reach Staff Writer Lori A. Carter at 762-7297 or lori.carter@pressdemocrat.com
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