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Prospect council rejects first reading of proposed EV‑charging mandate
Summary
Council voted down first reading of Ordinance 657, a draft requiring EV chargers — including a 10% charging/wiring requirement for new or enlarged commercial parking — after members cited cost, local EV adoption and a desire for more data; vote recorded as 4–2 against.
The Prospect City Council on Nov. 17 declined to advance a proposed ordinance that would require electric‑vehicle charging stations in new or enlarged commercial parking areas.
Council Member David Holmes, who drafted the ordinance, moved for first reading of Ordinance 657 (an amendment to Chapter 150). Holmes said he modeled the draft on provisions from other U.S. cities and argued Prospect should plan now: "The electric vehicle future is right now," Holmes said during discussion.
Opponents raised cost and timing concerns. Council Member Don Gibson argued mandating chargers could deter private development, calling a straight mandate "a penalty." Other council members and staff said Prospect currently has limited charging infrastructure and asked for local adoption data and cost estimates before imposing requirements.
Outcome: The motion to give first reading failed (the council recorded the result as defeated by a 4–2 vote). Council members said they would continue to discuss a revised proposal and explore incentives and wiring strategies to reduce installation costs.
What was proposed: Holmes' draft used examples from other municipalities, proposing percentages of new parking spaces with active chargers and additional wiring for future expansion (the draft referenced a 10% standard in some examples). The ordinance would have allowed commercial operators to charge market rates for electricity; Holmes said he had not completed a local cost analysis.
Next steps: Council directed Holmes and staff to refine the proposal, meet with developers and return with data on costs, charging levels (Level 1/2/3), and possible incentives or phased approaches before another first reading.
Quote: "The electric vehicle future is right now," Holmes said. "I really hope Prospect looks at this seriously and tries to do something."
