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Piedmont council approves easement to PG&E to power EV chargers at Piedmont Park
Summary
The council voted to grant a narrow utility easement on city park property to allow PG&E to install a transformer to serve new electric vehicle charging stations on Magnolia Avenue; council and staff discussed location, appearance and the possibility of future quitclaiming if uses change.
The Piedmont City Council voted to approve a resolution granting an easement to Pacific Gas & Electric Co. for an electrical transformer to power electric vehicle chargers proposed along Magnolia Avenue at Piedmont Park.
Public Works Director Daniel Gonzales presented the site plan and easement exhibit, noting the city holds a 60‑foot right‑of‑way on Magnolia and that PG&E prefers equipment in public right‑of‑way but requested an easement for a small portion of city park property immediately behind the Magnolia curb. Gonzales showed a revised layout that moved the transformer and related equipment as far out of sight as feasible — near existing bike racks and park utilities — and said the transformer enclosure is roughly 5 feet tall and about 8'9" by 7'5" in footprint; all electrical lines for the installation will be underground.
Anish Patel of Ava (East Bay Community) Energy said the contractor/operator (Calibrant Energy) will own and operate the chargers under a 10‑year contract and that construction is planned to start in November with operation by February; construction will close affected parking stalls but Magnolia through traffic is expected to remain open.
Council members asked about visibility, bollard protection, landscaping, whether bike rack capacity would be affected, and the easement's permanence. Gonzales and Ava representatives said supporting mechanical equipment will be screened where allowed, PG&E requires reasonable access and cannot have landscaping that blocks equipment access, and that the city can pursue a quitclaim if the easement becomes unnecessary in the future. Councilmember Long moved and the Vice Mayor seconded the motion to approve the easement; the motion passed on roll call.
Why it matters: the approved easement clears a key legal and site‑control hurdle for a publicly accessible EV charging installation on Magnolia Avenue adjacent to Piedmont Park. The project uses third‑party operator financing and a dedicated transformer sited to minimize visual and park impacts.
Next steps: staff and the contractor will finalize permits and construction schedule; the city will work with PG&E and Ava/Calibrant on final site dressing, bollards and screening consistent with utility access requirements.
