City considers partial leaf blower ban

The Coral Gables City Commission is scheduled to vote Oct. 26 on an ordinance that would ban commercial gardeners and lawn services from using leaf blowers and restrict homeowners to using only electric leaf blowers during approved hours, The Miami Herald reported Wednesday.

City Commissioner Ralph Cabrera, who is leading the effort to pass the ordinance, said leaf blowers create excessive noise and cause pollution by spreading mold spores and chemicals including pesticides.

However, many residents have said the commission is overreaching with the proposed measure.

"This is a clear case of over-regulation and government gone wild," said Jon Goldman, who started a campaign to send e-mails to the City Commission opposing the ordinance. "I don't know a single neighbor or homeowner in the Gables who doesn't use a leaf blower to maintain his property in the pristine manner that is required by code."

--
Copyright 2010 United Press International, Inc. (UPI).