North Haledon introduces ordinance to permit and regulate electric-vehicle charging

The Borough Council introduced Ordinance #26-2021 on Nov. 17 to supplement Chapter 600 (Zoning) by authorizing Electric Vehicle Supply/Service Equipment (EVSE) and Make-Ready parking spaces as permitted accessory uses across zoning districts.

The ordinance defines EVSE and Make-Ready parking, sets installation and permitting requirements, and prescribes thresholds for Make-Ready and EVSE installations for multifamily dwellings, parking lots and garages. For multiple dwellings of five or more units the ordinance requires Make-Ready preparation of at least 15% of required off-street parking and staged EVSE installation (one-third at certificate of occupancy, another third within three years, and the final third within six years), with a minimum of 5% of EVSE accessible to people with disabilities. Commercial parking-lot thresholds for Make-Ready spaces are also specified by total-space ranges.

The ordinance requires compliance with the State Uniform Construction Code and accessibility standards, establishes signage and safety standards (bollards, cord management, lighting), and provides permitting and administrative processes intended to avoid variance requirements for EVSE installations at existing gasoline stations and retail uses, provided certain conditions are met. Private and publicly accessible EVSE are treated separately, and municipalities may enforce EVSE parking restrictions.

Council Member Roscio moved and Council Member Pomianek seconded to introduce the ordinance on first reading; the measure was approved for first reading and set for final consideration Dec. 8, 2021. No members of the public spoke during the public comment period recorded in the minutes.