TITLE: Title
Request-to-Set a Public Hearing on Text Amendments to Establish Requirements for EV Charging Stations
PURPOSE: The Land Use Ordinance provides an opportunity for advisory boards to initiate the consideration of a text amendment for public benefit. In 2018, the Environmental Advisory Board prepared a memorandum requesting requirements for electric vehicle charging stations as part of the parking standards for new developments. A draft ordinance has been prepared. Text amendments are legislative decisions; the Town Council must receive public input prior to making a decision.
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DEPARTMENT: Planning
CONTACT INFORMATION: Christina Moon - 919-918-7325, cmoon@townofcarrboro.org <mailto:cmoon@townofcarrboro.org>; Marty Roupe - 919-918-7333, mroupe@townofcarrboro.org <mailto:mroupe@townofcarrboro.org>; Patricia McGuire - 919-918-7327, pmcguire@townofcarrboro.org <mailto:pmcguire@townofcarrboro.org>; Nick Herman - 919-929-3905, gnherman@broughlawfirm.com <mailto:gnherman@broughlawfirm.com>
INFORMATION: Information provided to the Town Council during the January 21, 2020 Energy and Climate Protection Plan and Community Climate Action Plan Implementation Update included a request from the EAB to consider text amendments to the Land Use Ordinance that would require the installation of electric charging stations for development proposals with 50 or more parking spaces or, at least, to require the installation of the necessary infrastructure for future charging stations. Meeting materials may be found at Town of Carrboro - Meeting of Town Council on 1/21/2020 at 7:00 PM (legistar.com) <https://carrboro.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=756145&GUID=BC30002D-A15F-4571-BDA0-9E8D0F1FD085&Options=&Search=>; a copy of the EAB’s request is also provided (Attachment C).
A draft ordinance has been prepared that closely follows the EAB’s request. As currently written, EV parking spaces would be a subset of the existing parking standards not a requirement for additional parking spaces (Attachment B). A copy of Article XVIII of the Land Use Ordinance, Parking, is attached for information (Attachment D).
On a related note, staff has become aware of House Bill 296, a North Carolina bill currently under consideration which would allow local governments to enforce the prohibition of parking non electric cars in spaces equipped with EV charging infrastructure. A copy of the draft bill is provided as Attachment E; additional information may be found at the following link: (House Bill 296 (2021-2022 Session) - North Carolina General Assembly (ncleg.gov) <https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookup/2021/H296>.
FISCAL & STAFF IMPACT: Public notice costs and staff time are associated with the review of text amendments for public hearings and advisory board review.
RECOMMENDATION:r Staff recommends that the Town Council consider adopting the attached resolution (Attachment A) setting a public hearing for May18th and referring the item to Orange County and the Planning Board. The Environmental Advisory Board and Transportation Advisory Board have been identified for referral based on their respective purviews.