Working group backs allowing private EV chargers and urges code language for utilities and site compatibility

Malini Sims presented draft language to enable electric vehicle (EV) charging on private property and to update criteria for utilities. She told the group the plan's intent is to allow private-property charging infrastructure but not to require town subsidies.

Don (Resident/Working Group member) raised a common concern about charger use and maintenance: "What's gonna stop somebody from going to the Safeway parking lot, at 9:00 at night, parking their car, plugging it in and heading home?" Staff and other members explained that most commercial charging stations are operated by third-party providers and payment is collected at the point of use; the user, not the commercial owner, pays for electricity at the station.

Participants recommended clarifying that enabling EV charging in the code does not create a town subsidy requirement, and they suggested explicitly mentioning gas stations and hotels as typical locations for commercial chargers. Randy and others said commercial operators generally use third-party vendors to bill users, and staff said they will reword the actions to say the code "enables" charging rather than requiring it. The utilities section will be revised to include impacts to residential areas and to note microtransit and transit considerations raised earlier in the meeting.

No formal requirement or mandate for chargers was adopted at the meeting; staff will revise code-language suggestions and include the edits in the consolidated 30% draft for public review.