City prepares for electric vehicles

ThisWeek CW 08/23/2012

http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2012/08/21/city-prepares-for-electric-vehicles.html

The Canal Winchester Planning and Zoning Commission agreed unanimously last week to approve a request to install the city’s first charging station for electric cars at Walgreens, 6266 Gender Road.

Jeff Bellamy of Dynalectric Ohio requested approval for a zoning variance to allow his company to install the charging station.

“We’re installing these charging stations at 11 Walgreens around the state,” Bellamy said at the planning commission’s Aug. 13 meeting. “(Walgreens) is putting them in locations close to freeways, so if someone is driving a longer distance and needs a charge, they can come and get one. Right now, you’re only going to get, like, 50 miles on a charge.”

Legislation was presented to city council at its committee of the whole meeting July 30 that would establish regulations for residential and commercial charging stations.

Planning and Zoning Administrator Andrew Dutton said city officials assume they will see more electric cars on Canal Winchester streets in the future.

“We’re trying to get ahead of the game, if any come into town,” Dutton said. “(Walgreens) needs a variance because our current code restricts (electric vehicle charging stations). This new ordinance puts in a section that allows and regulates them so I can just administratively approve them,” he said.

The charging station will be on the Gender Road side of the Walgreens parking lot for greater visibility, according to Bellamy. He said anyone using the station will have the option of paying via credit card.

While the proposed ordinance would require charging stations at residential properties to be screened, commercial properties would need to submit a minor site development plan that could be approved by Dutton.

City council is scheduled to hear three readings of the ordinance, a process that was to begin with the Aug. 20 meeting.

Also on Aug. 13, the planning commission also sent changes to the city’s Cooperative Economic Development Agreement (CEDA) standards on to city council for review and approval.

“These codified standards will apply in the CEDA area, which includes our property boundaries as well as the areas outside the city in Violet Township,” Dutton said. “The updates basically mirror our codes and read almost the same.”

According to Dutton, the current CEDA standards are overly restrictive and make it difficult to develop land in the designated area, such as the Canal Pointe Industrial Park.

“The updated standards will make it easier for developers to understand our requirements,” Dutton said.

The CEDA updates are also scheduled for three readings at city council, which also were to start Aug. 20.

The next Planning and Zoning Commission meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sept. 10 at Town Hall, 10 N. High St.