Majority of council members leaning toward ban of gas-powered leaf blowers

BY ADRIANA HERNANDEZ
Daily Post Staff Writer

Most members of the San Carlos City Council are siding with residents who are pushing to ban gas-powered leaf blowers.

Council members Pranita Venkatesh, Adam Rak and John Dugan agreed Tuesday (May 26) to study a potential ban despite other members’ concerns.

Councilwoman Sara McDowell said the city just started a program in February to pay residents and landscapers to switch to electric leaf blowers.

“I feel like we should give the rebate program more time to work,” McDowell said. McDowell said she has always preferred to use incentives to help people switch, using carrots rather than sticks.

McDowell said she’s heard residents complain about a lack of enforcement for similar bans in other cities.

Hundreds sign petition

There may be a few people upset in other cities, but 600 San Carlos residents want the council to do something, Rak said.

“I’m going to lean towards those 600 people,” Rak said.

Resident Emily Burt started a petition three weeks ago that has over 600 signatures to get the city to ban gas-powered leaf blowers. The city should have a ban because harmful pollutants are contributing to respiratory issues, Burt said in the petition. Gas-powered leaf blowers could also lead to hearing loss and the ban would create cleaner air and quieter streets, Burt said.

Dugan said he acknowledged McDowell’s concerns but felt it was worth looking at what other cities are doing.

“We’re not breaking new ground here,” Dugan said.

Neighboring cities

Others who have banned gas-powered leaf blowers are Atherton, Menlo Park and Portola Valley. Menlo Park approved a ban that started in July 2024, including a ban on gas-powered push lawnmowers, hedge trimmers and chainsaws by January 2029. Atherton’s ban also started in July 2024 and offered a $250 rebate to residents who purchased an electric leaf blower. Portola Valley passed its ban in 2019 and held a buyback program that offered residents $120 to switch to electric leaf blowers.

Venkatesh said her inbox has been flooded by emails from residents asking for a ban. She suggested council study what other cities have done, the benefits of having a ban and the cost of enforcement.