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A city councillor is withdrawing her push to place a 6 p.m. nightly curfew on the use of gas-powered lawnmowers and other garden tools following a fierce response from annoyed Londoners and some political colleagues.
Skylar Franke, in her first term representing Ward 11, is pulling the proposal – which would have gone to city council in early June – that would expand the existing 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew on noisy, gas-powered garden tools to between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m.
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“After listening to your feedback, it has become clear that the initially proposed time restriction from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for gas equipment is too limiting for many of our residents,” Franke wrote in a statement posted to social media.
In the statement, Franke said the intent of the motion was to reduce noise and emissions but understood the difficulty the restrictions could pose for landscape companies and home owners with busy schedules. “While I still believe we must reduce emissions and noise wherever possible, it appears this will not be a viable solution for many.”
When the proposal first became public earlier this week, residents, and council colleagues, were critical of it, noting many people who work day jobs wouldn’t be able to comply, while also noting many mow their lawns in the evening to avoid the summer heat.
Mayor Josh Morgan took the unusual step of issuing a statement saying he would vote against the idea.
“We have far more pressing issues to deal with. The message I’ve heard most often from Londoners is one I agree with wholeheartedly: ‘Get off my lawn,’” Morgan wrote.
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A city hall staff report using carbon emissions data per person from a 2015 U.S. study estimated that, based on similar usage, gas-powered equipment like lawnmowers and leaf blowers could make up one per cent of London’s total carbon emissions. Also, excessive noise was flagged as harmful and disruptive to people and wildlife, according to the report.
Expelling or forcing out gas-powered equipment has occurred or is being explored in several cities across the country, with the aim of replacing them with quieter electric versions.
Franke called the feedback “valuable in our local democracy” and encouraged Londoners to continue sharing thoughts on motions coming before city council.
“Thank you for your understanding and engagement,” Franke wrote in her statement.
bwilliams@postmedia.com
@BrianWatLFPress
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