Council Votes to Study Ban on Gas Leaf Blowers

At the behest of dozens of residents who filled council chambers, the Manhattan Beach City Council voted 4 to 1 to consider adopting an ordinance that would ban gasoline-powered leaf blowers.

Several residents said they were concerned about the alleged health and environmental risks associated with the leaf blowers. Proponents of the ban brought data and information compiled from other California cities that already have such bans.

City Councilman Tim Lilligren voted against the proposal because, he said, the benefits wouldn’t justify the cost. “We don’t consider banning the lawn mower,” he said. “For three minutes of noise, we get clean yards, cheaply and efficiently.”

The ordinance is scheduled for consideration by the council in early September.