HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 10 - EV Charging Stations
AM23-02.4 – AMENDMENT RCPH 1
MEMO TO: HONORABLE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
FROM: BRUNO RUMBELOW, CITY MANAGER
ERICA MAROHNIC, PLANNING SERVICES DIRECTOR
MEETING DATE: JULY 16, 2024
SUBJECT: ELECTRIC VECHICLE CHARGING STATIONS (AM23-02 -
AMENDMENT)
RECOMMENDATION: City Council to hold a discussion and provide staff direction
regarding possible amendments to the Comprehensive Zoning
Ordinance (Ordinance No. 82-73) same being Appendix “D” of
the Code of Ordinances, as follows: amend Subsection (C),
Conditional Uses, of Section 25, “CC”, Community Commercial
District; Subsection (C), Conditional Uses, of Section 26, “HC”,
Highway Commercial District; and Subsection (C), Conditional
Uses, of Section 31, “LI”, Light Industrial District, regarding the
requirement of a conditional use permit for electrical vehicle
charging stations, by adding an exception for automobile sales
and services and retail establishments with the repair of new and
used cars, light trucks and vans, motorcycles, and boats.
BACKGROUND:
On January 16, 2024, the City Council approved an amendment to the Comprehensive
Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance No. 82-73) related to Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations
and their supply equipment. This amendment establishes specific requirements for their use
after a series of workshops held by the Planning and Zoning Commission. The amendment
regulates EV charging stations as a land use, including their location, size, and appearance.
It was determined that EV charging stations were not listed in the Zoning Ordinance as a
specific land use. Council approved a definition for EV charging stations, specified which
zoning districts could house them through the conditional use request process, and set
standards for their siting, location, and screening/buffering.
At the public hearing on January 16, a Grapevine business owner expressed their opposition
to the amendment. They cited that Level 3 charging stations were their main concern, and
that Level 1 and 2 stations should not be regulated through a public hearing process,
particularly for businesses involved in automobile sales and service. These business types
anticipate a shift towards electric vehicles in the market, which would require significant
investment in infrastructure to accommodate the changing trends in their inventory for sale
and repair.
AM23-02.4 – AMENDMENT RCPH 2
ISSUES:
Council has approved the EV charging station amendment. However, council members
have requested that staff engage with the business owner who opposed the amendment
and find a way to address their concerns. As a result, staff from various departments have
met with the protester and their colleagues and are now proposing exception language for
automobile sales and service businesses with a valid conditional use permit approval.
Draft Exception Changes:
Sec. 25. CC Community Commercial District Regulations
C. CONDITIONAL USES: The following uses may be permitted, provided
they meet the provisions of, and a Conditional Use Permit is issued pursuant
to, Section 48 of the Ordinance.
27. Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations. Automobile sales and service
businesses approved through a conditional use permit are exempt from
obtaining an additional conditional use permit to install Level 2 and lower
classified EV Charging Stations, if the stations are installed on the properties
where electric or hybrid vehicles are sold, displayed, and repaired, and are not
open for use by the public. The EV Charging Stations must meet use-specific
standards in Subsection 42.I, of this Zoning Ordinance and obtain site plan
and permit approvals.
If approved, this exception language would be applied to Subsection (C) of Conditional Uses
in the "CC", Community Commercial, "HC", Highway Commercial, and, "LI", Light Industrial
Districts. These districts are where automobile sales and services, as well as retail
establishments with the repair of new and used cars, light trucks and vans, motorcycles, and
boats, are permitted with the approval of a conditional use permit.
/em