Old Town could be getting a little more wired with a new policy change that would make it easier for private property owners to install electric vehicle charging stations.
The new proposal, scheduled for discussion at the Wednesday (Dec. 7) meeting of the Board of Architectural Review (BAR), would allow city staff to approve electric vehicle charging stations, which currently require a full BAR hearing.
“At the December 7, 2022, hearing staff will present a BAR administrative approval policy for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations,” the report said. “The proposed administrative approval policy would allow staff to administratively approve wall and ground-mounted EV charging stations on private properties in the Old and Historic District and Parker-Gray District.”
The stations would still be required to meet some established criteria. According to the report, stations must be minimally visible, located in the side or rear yard and can be no more than six feet tall. It would require all conduits for wall-mounted charging stations to be painted to match the wall.
Failure to meet these requirements would not result in denial, per the report. Instead, it would require BAR approval at a public hearing.
“In addition, using good judgment, staff may find that a proposed EV charging station project may need full Board review, in which case the application would be docketed,” the report said.
