The Winter Park City Commission recently sent out a 12-question survey to Winter Park residents in efforts to gain further insight into the noise, health, and environmental impacts of leaf blowers in the community. Due to concerns from residents, the City is considering changes to the code impacting the use of leaf blowers and plans to gain input from the public through the Winter Park Resident Survey, which will be available until midnight on October 6.
The City of Winter Park Code of Ordinances, section 62-97, currently allows the operation of landscaping or yard maintenance power tools or motorized equipment Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on Sunday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. According to City of Winter Park spokesperson Clarissa Howard, the City is asking for participation in this survey, which is available to Winter Park residents living in city limits, to gauge perspective and/or concerns on the impacts of such changes to the City’s code.
“As a result of the pandemic, many of our residents are now working from home or having children home-schooled where the noise levels of the leaf blowers have become a disturbance,” Howard said. “Residents have also expressed increased concern for particulate pollution, pollen, fossil fuel use, current operating hours, and landscaping company employee’s health. Recent technological advances in the performance and longevity of batteries in electric leaf blowers have improved their viability for both residential and commercial landscaping.”
According to Howard, a separate survey was sent to landscape companies that service neighborhoods as well and, together, these survey results will be used to formulate recommendations made to the city commission for consideration.
Visit the website or send the City an email for more information.
