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Wheeling board adopts 2021 building-code updates; adds visible EV disconnect requirement
Summary
Trustees voted to update Wheeling Municipal Code from 2018 to 2021 model codes, adding a local amendment requiring a visible means of disconnect at large EV charging installations and discussing limits on EV locations in parking garages; the ordinance passed with one recorded 'No' vote.
The Village of Wheeling Board of Trustees on Monday approved updates to the village's building and fire codes, moving the municipality from the 2018 to the 2021 model codes and adopting one new local amendment that requires a visible means of disconnect at large electric-vehicle (EV) charging installations.
The changes, presented to the board by Mr. Clicker, are intended to maintain the community's 'high level of fire protection' by aligning local rules with the newer code cycle and retaining only necessary local amendments, Clicker said. The board also discussed limiting EV charging in multi-level parking garages to the first or top floor to reduce fire and structural risk.
The measure updates Title 14 (fire) and Title 15 (buildings and construction) of the Wheeling Municipal Code to incorporate the 2021 codes and adds a local requirement that large commercial and multifamily EV charging installations include a clearly labeled, visible means of disconnect so emergency responders can cut power when needed. Clicker said other proposed local amendments were reduced because the newer model codes have addressed some previously local-only changes.
Trustee Papantos asked what "Type V" construction means; Clicker explained it refers to timber-based commercial construction that the national model code is phasing out starting in 2025. Trustee Repoto (spelling in transcript) asked whether the rule would apply to parking structures; Clicker said yes and noted the staff is considering additional restrictions that would limit charging stations in multi-level garages to the first or top level to allow vehicles to be pulled out if a fire happens or to reduce risk to the overall structure.
Trustee Lang moved to approve the code updates; the motion was seconded. Roll-call votes as recorded in the meeting transcript: Trustee Papantos 'Yes; Trustee Vogel 'Yes; Trustee Ruffato/Rufado 'Yes; Trustee Krueger 'No; Trustee Lang 'Yes; Trustee Vito 'Yes; President Horker/Wenger 'Yes; an additional attendee recorded as "Mr. Smondel" voted Yes. The ordinance passed.
The board thanked staff for more than a year of interdepartmental work on the package, involving legal, fire, and community development staff, and recognized the effort to pare back local amendments where the 2021 codes covered the same protections.
No implementation date for the ordinance was specified in the meeting record, and the transcript did not include a finalized text of the new local amendment beyond the visible-disconnect requirement.
