Portola Valley: Gas-powered leaf blowers: not just a noise problem

Ban all leaf blowers whether electric or gas. The particulates can cause major breathing problems triggering asthma and the particulates contain animal feces and bacteria such as E.coli and C.difficile. Use of blowers on driveways and parking lots and streets blows many toxics from vehicle exhaust, brake pads and tires into the air and onto lawns and areas where children play and ingest the toxics.
More rakes, more exercise.

I hate leaf blowers. I wish they'd disappear from the face of the earth. When I was growing up in San Carlos in the 60s no one used gas or electric leaf blowers. I raked and mowed my parents lawn with a rake and a push mower. I didn't mind. It was much quieter then. I'd love to open my window and hear the birds singing instead of the constant roar of the leaf blowers.

It is really troubling how accustomed we've become to assaulting noise and pollution. We shouldn't allow it.

Study by California legislature re blower hazards.
Web Link

Let them use rakes and brooms! That is how I clean my yard, paths and driveway. It really works!

The leaf blowers on all three sides of me are so loud I cannot sit in my yard three afternoons per week because they blow on different days. And it goes on and on and on for almost 20 minutes. The one to my left is the loudest so I’ve downloaded an app that measures decibels. I stood at my fence and it is two times the allowed decibel measurement in our town. I wish all gas leaf blower‘s were banned immediately. Been in my home 40 years... it’s gotten worse and worse with these dang leaf blowers

How about turning an electric blower around and adding a HEPA filter?

They're a menace in Menlo Park too. I actually gave up on trying to work from home one day a week because of the leaf blower noise.

I say ban them all, there's no harm in leaving some leaves behind - and if you really need a specific area clear, get a rake or a broom.

many menlo park residents are voicing support for this proposed ban. However, Portola Valley parcels are much larger than those in Menlo park. It’s one thing to rake a 1000 square foot lot, but try doing that on a 5 plus acre lot including driveway, lawn, pool deck, etc. I think that lot size needs to be taken into consideration. It’s just not practical to rake a 5 acre lot.

It may not be easy to rake a 5-acre lot, but why bother to blow it? I would think you would clear areas near buildings (fire hazard), otherwise let the leaves decay naturally and serve as mulch.

@pv Res, I don't understand the resistance to the idea of banning blowers in a place like Portola Valley where residents seem to pride themselves on the rural like setting with horse trails, etc. What's the point in living in such a beautiful place with the constant drone of the leaf blowers? Wouldn't you rather hear birds singing? Why are green lawns necessary? Why not drought resistant plants and let nature do what it is supposed to do and nourish itself with its fallen leaves?

If a house has a low slope roof, electric blowers can be useful for cleaning gutters. It is a lot easier and faster than spending hours moving a ladder around. And cheaper than hiring someone to clean for you.

Remember to check your gutters before the rain starts ;-)