Council opts out of state EV charger model permitting, keeps local administrative review

Council adopted a resolution opting out of the state's EV charger permitting model and instructed staff to continue using the town's current administrative permitting process while reporting the choice to the state by the statutory deadline.

Planner Tara Vargas explained the state model requirement and staff recommendation: "So what is House Bill 20 four-eleven-seventy 3? So this bill requires communities over 10,000 in population and size to take action by the end of this year in 1 of 3 ways," she said. Staff recommended the town select the option to continue its existing permitting procedures; Vargas noted recent installations in Castle Rock (a Tesla Supercharger at Milestone, chargers at Target and Whole Foods, and Meadowmark) have been processed under the town's normal administrative approach and that the town already enforces standardized electrical-code inspections.

Council members sought clarification about large charging stations versus individual retail installations and asked about fees. Vargas said major, gas-station-style EV sites would be evaluated differently if and when they arise, and that most current chargers charge through owner apps. The council voted 7-0 to adopt the opt-out resolution and staff will notify the state of the town's choice before the March reporting deadline described by staff.

Provenance: topicintro SEG 1502; topfinish SEG 1711.