Letter to the Commissioners on Leafblowers
In a letter to the Township Commissions dated 7 May 2007, Bradford Whitman describes the goals of the Lower Merion Citizens for Action Against Leafblowers and outlines a proposed ordinance for the regulation of leafblowers.
Honey Bee Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD)
Mid-Atlantic Apiculture
Testimony given before the House Committee on Agriculture.
Congressional Research Service Report.
TRID & Zoning
“No one is enthusiastic about zoning except the people. The non-people–the professionals–hope it gets lost. The judges find zoning a monumental bore, most lawyers consider it a nuisance, and the planners treat it as a cretinous member of the planning family about whom the less said the better.” Richard E. Babcock, The Zoning Game, p. 17.
According to the TRID Act, Chapter 3, Section 301, (3) “A local municipality or municipalities shall further define and suppport the rationale for the TRID designation through a TRID planning study, as well as appropriate amendments to the municipal comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance and other pertinent regulations.”
There are many zoning initiatives used to promote TRID. TOD (or TRID) ordinances have many features that distinguish them from conventional zoning regulations. These ordinances often encourage more intensive development patterns by offering height and density bonuses; feature maximum setback (rather than minimum setback); restrict off-street parking (rather than requiring a minimum of off-street parking); and reduce or eliminate frontage and lot size requirements (in order to promote higher density).
In return for these zoning regulation “give aways”, TOD (or TRID) ordinances often require the developer to provide urban design amenities to stimulate pedestrian activity at the street level as well as additional open space oriented towards pedestrian use. Some Tod (or TRID) ordinances include architectural and aesthetic criteria and/or the establishment of a design review board.
Existing zoning in Bryn Mawr, from Bryn Mawr Draft Plan, 17 April 2006
Zoning code, R7 Residence Districts
More to follow…
TRID vs. TJD
In progress. Check back in a few days.
More on Leafblowers
Unfortunately, the Township’s proposed leaf blower ordinance fails to address the health effects of exhaust emissions and fugitive dust. Even on the issue of noise, however, the proposed ordinance fails to adequately restrict the use of leaf blowers.
There are two restrictions of noise in the proposed ordinance:
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between now and January 1, 2011 (during the next four years) the proposed ordinance would limit the operation of two or more Non-Conforming Leaf Blowers (defined in the proposed ordinance as “any gas powered leaf blower with an operating decibel level that exceeds 65 dBA”) to the Leaf Collection Season (October through December), Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.;
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after January 1, 2011 the use of two or more Non-Conforming Leaf Blowers on a single property would be prohibited.
So where does the proposed ordinance leave us (forgive the pun)?
With regard to leaf blower noise we would have the following situation in effect in the Township under the terms of the proposed ordinance after January 1, 2011 (four years from now):
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the simultaneous use of two or more Non-Conforming Leaf Blowers on a single property would be prohibited; however, the use of Non-Conforming Leaf Blowers would be allowed as long as only one was being operated on a single property at any one time;
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the use of leaf blowers, two or more Conforming or one Non-Conforming, would no longer be limited to the Leaf Collection Season. The use of two or more Conforming Leaf Blowers would no longer be restricted to the Leaf Collection Season on weekdays during the working hours.
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No restriction on noise from the use of one Non-Conforming Leaf Blower. No restriction of leaf blower
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noise to Leaf Collection Season. No restriction of leaf blower noise to workdays. No restriction of leaf blower noise to work hours during the day. No restrictions on exhaust emissions (unburned fuel and carbon monoxide). No restrictions on fugitive dust (including particulate matter).
The proposed ordinance falls far short of the one envisioned by Bradford Whitman, President, Leafblower Facts and Citizens’ Group Proposal. (see Leafblower Facts and Citizens’ Group Proposal). lowermerionGreen supports the Citizens’ Group Proposal and calls on our Commissioners to enact a Leaf Blower Ordinance providing for more immediate and stringent protection of the health and well-being of the residents of our Township.
Proposed Leaf Blower Ordinance
The debate on the detrimental effects of leaf blowers on health and the environment has been heating up for a number of years across the United States (see Zero Air Pollution) - as well as in Canada (see Toronto Board of Health Staff Report). There are three major health concerns related to the use of leaf blowers: exhaust emissions (carbon monoxide and unburned fuel); fugitive dust (including particulate matter); and noise. Lower Merion Township’s proposed Leaf Blower Ordinance, however, addresses only one of these concerns: noise.
Before reviewing the Township’s proposed ordinance on leaf blower noise, learn about exhaust emissions and fugitive dust in California’s Environmental Protection Agency Air Board Report on the Potential Health & Environmental Impacts of Leaf Blowers:
TOD & TRID in Pennsylvania
Not every TOD is a TRID, but every TRID is a TOD…
In November 2004, the Pennsylvania state legislature passed Transit Revitalization Investment District (TRID) Act. This act establishes a new program to promote Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) through a TRID program, to be administered by the Pennsylvania DOT (PennDOT) and the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). The act includes:
- Development of a “how-to” book on TOD;
- Authorization for transit agencies to partner with local governments and developers to facilitate TOD and also share in tax revenues;
- Planning and implementation grants for TOD, initiated by local governments defining a TRID and identifying responsibilities and land ownership. The act authorizes the State to award planning grants of up to $75,000 to each municipality and requires a 25 percent local match;
- The establishment of value capture areas in which local jurisdictions and transit agencies share incremental tax revenues to benefit improvements within the zone; and
- Allowance for transit agencies to acquire land for non-transportation purposes, including economic development.
PennDOT and the DCED are working to obtain funding from a variety sources to support implementation of the program. PennDOT will provide both funding and technical assistance. A TOD can serve as an economic catalyst and is consistent with PennDOT’s mission, which includes the promotion of economic development. For general information on DOTs and TODs see Roll of State DOTs in Support of TOD - especially Section 3-12 on PennDOT and TRID.
See Delaware Valley Regional Planning Association’s slide presentation explaining Pennsylvania’s TRID Act (2004).
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) sees TOD as ” a huge new real estate trend. It is building momentum in unlikely places, such as Salt Lake City, Denver and Huston — areas rife with sprawling out-of-control development.”
See Transit Oriented Development: Literature Review for an extensive review of TOD with some explanation of Pennsylvania’s TRID.
Not every TOD (or TRID) is Smart Growth…
See Smart Growth: It Takes a Transit Village for an excellent comparison of Pennsylvania’s TRID with New Jersey’s Transit Village Initiative.
What is the U.S. Green Building Council [USGBC]?
U.S. Green Building Council’s core purpose is to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life.
At USGBC, we take how we make our decisions as seriously as the decisions themselves. Our Board of Directors has articulated a set of guiding principles to provide clarity and continuity in our decision making.
[From About USGBC]
What is Smart Growth?
Smart Growth features vary from community to community. In general, Smart Growth is town-centered, transit and pedestrian oriented, and seeks an appropriate mix of residential, commercial and institutional uses. Smart Growth preserves open space and other environmental amenities.
Smart Growth Principles
- Create Range of Housing Opportunities and Choices
- Create Walkable Neighborhoods
- Encourage Community and Stakeholder Collaboration
- Foster Distinctive, Attractive Communities with a Strong Sense of Place
- Make Development Decisions Predictable, Fair & Cost Effective
- Mix Land Uses
- Preserve Open Space, Farmland, Natural Beauty & Critical Environmental Areas
- Provide a Variety of Transportation Choices
- Strengthen and Direct Development Towards Existing Communities
- Take Advantage of Compact Building Design
[From Smart Growth Online]