Planning commission recommends electric vehicle charging station at 1000 Keller Parkway; 5-2

The City of Keller Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday voted 5-2 to recommend that the City Council approve a special use permit for a private electric vehicle charging station at 1000 Keller Parkway.

The charging station proposal, submitted by an installation team led by Francis Energy and designed by Dewberry Engineering for Mercedes-Benz as the project sponsor, would place nine standard stalls and one accessible stall (10 total) in an existing parking area adjacent to Rufe Snow Drive. The installation includes five dual‑port Alpitronic HYC‑400 dispensers, six lighted “smart” poles, an electrical switchboard, a utility transformer and proposed landscape screening around the transformer.

Why it matters: Commissioners and staff said the site would add privately funded fast‑charging capacity in the town center and could support local businesses by giving drivers a place to charge while running errands. Opponents raised concerns about parking loss, proximity to buildings and safety in the event of battery fires; the commission asked staff and the applicants detailed questions about safety, code oversight and monitoring.

Applicant and staff presentation Ashley Brooke, with Francis Energy, told the commission the firm was the project EPC and that Mercedes‑Benz sponsored the site. “I do believe that overall, if we dig into it a little bit, we’ll find that some of that opposition is based off of maybe some outdated information,” Brooke said, citing plans for landscaping, lighting and remote monitoring.

Brian Guthridge of Dewberry Engineering described the site design and utility work and said the installation would be placed to minimize impact on prime tenant parking. Staff noted the Town Center zoning requires a special use permit for automobile electric charging stations; the application includes proposed screening, transformer placement and civil plans to be completed before construction.

Public comment and concerns Resident Mike Sivertson, who submitted a written packet that staff accepted for the record, told the commission he opposed the request. Sivertson questioned broader EV market trends, cited studies he said showed declining consumer interest and raised concerns about vehicle fires and public subsidy. “So I do not see this as a reasonable use of the property,” he said.

Commissioners pressed staff and applicants on several practical points: whether any city funds would be used (staff: no), who would own and operate the equipment (private ownership / leased site host arrangement), whether chargers would be restricted to Mercedes vehicles (applicants: no — open network), and what electrical and fire codes apply (the National Electrical Code and local permitting and fire marshal review). Staff confirmed the city currently has two privately owned chargers (950 North Main and 2001 South Main) and owns no charging stations.

Safety and enforcement Commissioners asked about fire risk and enforcement for non‑EV vehicles parking in charger stalls. Staff said the fire marshal reviewed the application and approved it with installation requirements; the acting fire chief reviewed the packet and planned to be available for the council meeting. Applicants said chargers are monitored remotely and that lease terms allow removal of equipment if the site is no longer needed.

Decision and next steps After discussion, the commission moved to recommend approval; the motion passed 5–2. The commission record shows no public funding is proposed. The applicant will appear before the City Council on July 15; staff said full electrical and civil permits and any fire department installation requirements will be resolved during permitting if council approves the SUP.

Community context and caveats The commission noted the project would be privately funded and sited in a Town Center parking field. Commissioners who opposed the project cited proximity to building facades and loss of regular parking stalls; supporters cited the potential for drivers to patronize nearby businesses during charging. The item will return to council with the commission’s 5–2 recommendation and the written materials submitted by commentators.