Torrington review finds local EV chargers lack lighting, ADA parking and signage; planners to pursue zoning changes

City of Torrington planners, residents and regional transportation officials on Monday reviewed site assessments and community interviews showing most local electric-vehicle charging stations lack dedicated lighting, ADA-compliant parking and clear signage, and they discussed follow-up steps including further site surveys, utility outreach and zoning changes.

Daphne Dixon, executive director of Live Green Connecticut and the Clean Transportation Coalition, said the work stems from an EPA-funded grant her organization won to focus on EV zoning and user experience. "This grant was a competitive grant that we received from EPA, and it's a very, focused upon topic nationally," Dixon said.

The assessment team examined multiple chargers across Torrington and highlighted recurring problems: three assessed chargers at car dealerships lacked overhead lighting specific to the pedestals, none of the assessed sites were ADA compliant with marked EV parking, many stations had no time-limit or price signage, and protective curbing or bollards were frequently missing. Project presenters also documented short cords or…