HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-03-2015 Public Comment CarrSubject: FW: leaf blowers and parking lot cleaning _ _ _Y_
COUNCIL MEETING: FEB 0 2 2015
-------- Original message -------- ITEM NO.: _t1_G_ cam -
From: Jeff Carr <
Date:02/02/2015 9:29 AM (GMT -08:00)
To: "Marx Jan" "Ashbaugh John" "Carpenter, Dan" "Christianson Carlyn" "Rivoire Dan" "Dietrick
, , , , , , , , , , ,
Christine" , "Lichtig, Katie" , "Codron, Michael" , "Mejia, Anthony"
Subject: leaf blowers and parking lot cleaning
Dear Council Members:
I'm writing to share my experience this morning just before 8am while enjoying coffee in the outside
patio at Blackhorse Coffee at Foothill and Chorro. From there I watched a worker with a leaf blower
blowing -off dirt and debris from the parking lot and sidewalk at the end of University Square Center
with a leaf blower. There was substantial dirt and debris being kicked up into the air as the worker
blew the lot and sidewalk, and then proceeded to blow out the gutters. I could see the dust and dirt
blowing into the air as high as the traffic lights as it blew across Foothill ---made clearly visible by the
sun shining through it. As the worker blew this debris --the area had many walkers and bicycle riders,
mostly students, that were being exposed and forced to breath in this dust and dirt. It was a breezy
morning to begin with --and I'm only thankful the wind wasn't blowing towards Blackhorse.
Back at home, I found past discussions of the topic of leaf blowers online ---including the 2010 SLO
County report where it included the problem with airborne dust and pollution. In my opinion, what I
witnessed this morning was a prime example of this problem. I spoke to a City representative on the
telephone this morning and found that there are no restrictions on this specific type of parking lot and
sidewalk cleanup; Le, no restrictions on pushing dirt and debris from one property out into the City
and into the air.
This worker went farther than just cleaning up his employer's parking lot --he went on to blow the
sidewalk and then the gutter. It would have been better to let the City clean up the gutter with 'street
sweeping' vehicles that are designed to do that in a more efficient and 'cleaner' manner.
Bottom line --I consider this type of cleaning and blowing of dirt and dust into the street and air as
unhealthy and dangerous. Yes, we like University Square Center to have a clean parking lot --but what
gives them the right to move their dirt from the parking lot to the air we breath and to be blown to
other parts of the City? I think the City should revisit this issue --and reconsider the 2010 findings on
this matter --and eliminate this type of cleaning in the City. There are vacuum devices made to pick up
leaves and debris --without spreading the level of dust and debris as I witnessed this morning.
Thank you,
Jeff Carr
San Luis Obispo