Forest Park planning staff to hear text amendment to allow EV chargers in nonresidential and multifamily zones

Director Dozier of Planning and Community Development said the department is testing a new Tyler-based online permit and service system and expects to open it to the public in a few weeks. “We are continuing our efforts in establishing the PCD online service system,” Director Dozier said.

Dozier also told the Ward 1 meeting that the planning department was hearing a text amendment to add electric-vehicle (EV) charging stations to the city code. “They'll be allowed in all nonresidential districts, and multifamily as well as public sites. So we will be hearing that ordinance this evening,” Director Dozier said.

Why it matters: Allowing EV charging in nonresidential, multifamily and public locations could expand charging access across Forest Park; the meeting transcript records the department’s notice that the ordinance would be heard but does not record a council vote or the ordinance’s final text.

Details from the meeting - Planning and Community Development is using a new Tyler system internally and hopes to open it to the public after testing is finished in the next couple of weeks, Director Dozier said. - Director Dozier announced a text amendment to allow EV charging stations in all nonresidential districts, multifamily zones and public sites; the transcript records that the ordinance would be heard that evening but does not include the ordinance language or a vote.

What the meeting did not record - The transcript does not include the final ordinance language, any amendment language, a staff report, public comment specific to the amendment, or a vote on the text amendment.

Next steps: Planning staff indicated the ordinance would be heard at the meeting; interested residents should consult the city’s planning records or upcoming council packet for the ordinance text and any recorded vote.