Plan Commission approves conditional use permit for 16‑charger EV station at 2081 Moore Street

The Janesville Plan Commission on April 7 approved a conditional use permit to build a 16‑stall electric vehicle charging station with an overhead canopy at 2081 Moore Street.

City planner Trey Meyer presented the request on behalf of the property owner, saying the site is approximately 0.92 acres north of the Moore Street roundabout and adjacent to the Menards store. Meyer said surrounding properties are zoned B4 Business Highway District and that development of the site requires conditional use review because of prior redevelopment approvals for the area.

The applicant proposes 16 charging spaces along the western edge of the lot, an overhead canopy with masonry‑wrapped support columns to meet local architectural standards, and green space retained on the eastern part of the parcel. Meyer said the plan shows a public sidewalk along the western frontage and landscaping intended to satisfy zoning requirements. He told commissioners city staff sent the required public notices and received no public comments.

A representative for the applicant, identifying himself as Andres of Iona, told commissioners the chargers would normally support about 30‑minute sessions, that the station would operate 24 hours a day, and that charging sessions and payments would be handled via an app and network partners. Andres said the company will provide trash receptacles, security cameras and on‑charger screens with QR codes linking to 24/7 customer support. He also said a fire extinguisher would be placed alongside canopy columns and that the project team is coordinating stormwater and grading requirements with city review comments.

Commissioners asked whether support buildings or on‑site attendants were planned (none at this time), how signage would be handled (to be submitted through the city’s administrative sign review unless it exceeds code limits), and whether the fire and building review processes would identify any additional safety requirements (the canopy will receive building review and the fire/building reviewers did not flag extraordinary requirements during initial site plan review).

After discussion, Commissioner Bowerman moved to find the proposed development compliant with the standards for conditional use approval under the Janesville Zoning Ordinance and to approve the conditional use permit for 2081 Moore Street subject to the conditions listed in the Planning Division memorandum dated April 7, 2025. Commissioner Madera seconded the motion. The commission voted unanimously in favor; Commissioners Jackson and Bosco were absent.

Staff and the applicant were directed to complete the standard building permit and site plan review processes required before construction. Meyer noted the approved permit does not remove the need to obtain regular building permits and to satisfy the conditions listed by planning staff.

The commission’s approval allows the applicant to proceed with final plan submissions and permitting under the conditions in the planning memo; the memo’s specific conditions were not read into the record at the meeting.