Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations may be permitted as an accessory use in all Residential, Commercial and Industrial Districts, including mixed-use districts, when in compliance with the standards and development criteria outlined below. Proposed locations shall be identified on a site plan and reviewed by the Planning Director and other city departments, as necessary, for compliance with all applicable city requirements. If the Planning Director determines that the proposal significantly alters a previously approved plan, the proposal shall be forwarded to the Planning Commission for review and approval. If an EV charging station is proposed as the main or principal use, the proposal shall be subject to the review requirements for a service station, as permitted under Chapter 1155, Schedule of District Regulations.
For the purposes of this section, an EV charging station shall mean a public or private parking space that is served by battery charging station equipment for the purpose of transferring electric energy (by conductive or inductive means) to a battery or other energy storage device within an electric vehicle.
(a) An EV charging station shall be an accessory use to the main use of the property.
(b) An EV charging station shall be either a Level 2 or Level 3 charger. If a charging station has more than one (1) port, each port shall count as a charging station.
(c) The proposed EV charging station shall be located adjacent to the side or rear wall of the main building and shall not front on a public right-of-way except, when an EV charging station is setback at least 200 feet from the right-of-way line of the building frontage, it may be located in front of the main building.
(d) The designated parking space(s) for EV chargers shall be above the minimum number of parking spaces required for the site, in accordance with Section 1173.03 Spaces Required.
(e) The recommended parking space dimensions for an EV charging station are a minimum of ten (10) feet wide by twenty (20) feet long when new spaces are installed for such use.
(f) The charging station/equipment shall be protected by wheel stops or bollards in accordance with Section 1173.10 Parking Lot Safety Standards.
(g) Each parking space designated for an EV charging station shall be clearly marked as reserved for EV charging only.
(h) Charging station equipment shall not exceed eight (8) feet in height.
(i) Charging stations shall not include overhead canopies.
(j) The location, legend, and mounting height details for any proposed electric vehicle parking sign shall be included on the plans and submitted with the building permit application.
(k) An electrical permit shall be required as part of building permit application prior to installation.
(l) Any branding or advertising located on the charging station shall be limited to the manufacturer's information and not for advertising of the business or site on which the EV charger is located. There shall be no appurtenances attached to the charger other than what is necessary for operation.
(m) The owner shall provide adequate security and lighting for use of the charging station. All proposed lighting shall be in conformance with the lighting requirements outlined in Chapter 1169 Outdoor Lighting. Security cameras are recommended.
(n) Any landscaping impacted by the installation of the charging station shall be replaced.
(o) The EV charging station shall comply with the current National Electric Code (NEC) standards and shall be inspected once a year. Proof of inspection shall be made available to the City of Mentor, upon request.
(p) When proposed in a Residential District, EV charging stations shall only be permitted for occupants or patrons of the lot on which the station is located and shall not be used for commercial purposes.
(Ord. 22-O-001. Passed 1-4-22.)