Plan Commission backs text amendments to regulate electric vehicle parking and to update director titles in code

The Lombard Plan Commission recommended approval of a package of zoning text amendments that would create a definition and standards for electric vehicle (EV) parking, add related definitions, and replace references to the Director of Community Development in the municipal code with new titles such as Director of Economic Development and Planning and Director of Building as appropriate. The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Village Board for consideration on March 6, 2025.

Bill (Director Heniff) presented the proposal on behalf of the Village of Lombard and described the amendments as a response to increasing requests for charging infrastructure. Heniff said the amendments would establish a new section (proposed 155.228) to regulate electric vehicle parking (location, design), amend section 155.802 to add definitions related to EV parking, and revise references across the code (including sections 153, 154 and 155) to reflect a reorganized set of director responsibilities. Heniff summarized the zoning approach: level 1 and level 2 chargers would be permitted as accessory uses in all zoning districts; level 3 (DC fast chargers) would be permitted as accessory uses only in business, office and industrial districts; and stations where charging is the principal use (a commercial charging facility) would be treated as a conditional-use commercial fuel center and subject to more extensive review.

Heniff said the proposed amendments also replace use of the term “gasoline sales” with the broader term “fuel center” to encompass electric, hydrogen and other future fuels for zoning purposes. He told the commission that accessibility, lighting, equipment protections, signage and pavement-marking elements were included in the draft language in order to provide clarity for applicants and staff.

Heniff additionally informed the commission that he has submitted his notice of retirement for May and that the village is undertaking an administrative “scrub” of roughly 125 references to the Director of Community Development throughout the code so responsibilities can be reassigned to the Director of Building or the new Director of Economic Development and Planning as appropriate. He named Keith Stayskill as the existing Director of Building and said the title changes are administrative but require the public hearing process because they appear in the zoning ordinance.

Commissioners asked technical questions about fee/usage models for charging, accessibility requirements and whether the conditional-use approach could impede installation of small commercial or accessory chargers; Heniff said the intent is to allow small accessory chargers by permit while reserving the conditional-use review for properties where charging is the principal commercial use. Commissioner Johnson moved to accept the interdepartmental findings and recommend approval of PC 25-2; Commissioner Springberg seconded. A roll call vote recorded aye votes from Commissioners Johnson, Springberg, Flanagan, Versen and Chair Giuliano. The recommendation will be forwarded to the Village Board on March 6, 2025.