Commission forwards EV-charging ordinance amendment with positive recommendation

The Spanish Fort Planning Commission voted to forward an amendment to the city zoning ordinance to establish rules and a special provision classification for electric vehicle infrastructure.

Planning staff described the draft amendment as creating a special-provision section to allow EV charging stations in the city depending on their use: private restricted chargers at residences for occupant use only; accessory chargers adjacent to another permitted use; and standalone charging stations in locations where gasoline dispensing stations are allowed. The amendment sets infrastructure requirements, minimum numbers of charging spaces, maintenance obligations and updates the table of permitted uses to reflect those rules. Planner David (city planning staff) explained that “level 1, 2, level 3 EVCs are permitted in every business and industrial zoning district when accessory to the primary permitted use,” while single-family sites would be designated private-restricted use only.

Commissioners opened and closed a public hearing with no public comment and then moved to forward the regulation review (agenda item 250503) to the City Council with a positive recommendation. The roll-call vote passed with all present voting yes. The recommendation includes amending the table of permitted uses to reflect the new special-provision allowances.

If adopted by the City Council, the amendment will allow site-specific use of EV chargers across business and industrial districts subject to the ordinance provisions and will classify retail charging whose primary purpose is electric charging as a vehicle fuel station for zoning purposes.