River Forest is well on its way to becoming an EV Ready Community following action taken at the Oct. 28 village board meeting.
By a unanimous vote of the five trustees present, the board voted to approve an ordinance amending the village code regarding the regulation of electric vehicle charging stations as recommended by the zoning board of appeals. Trustee Bob O’Connell did not attend.
In a memo to officials, Seth Jansen, management analyst, explained that the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus started the EV Readiness program in 2022 “to prepare to meet the growing demand for EVs and EV charging infrastructure.” Municipalities that joined the program received free technical assistance and training in a variety of critical areas as they worked toward the designation of “EV Ready Community.” River Forest applied for and was accepted into the second cohort, which officially began in August 2023.
Similar to the SolSmart program, local government members of the EV Readiness cohorts follow a pathway toward EV Ready bronze, silver or gold by completing a number of actions presented in the EV Readiness checklist. With guidance and resources assembled by the EV Readiness Team of the caucus, municipal leaders develop clear permitting for EV charging infrastructure; analyze zoning and parking codes to address barriers to EV infrastructure; engage the community; and participate in technical and safety training for staff.
Jansen said the changes made from this text amendment address all items relating to zoning or requiring a code change needed to achieve any of the designations. Changes allowing EV charging as an accessory use in all zones and allowing EV charging spots to count toward parking minimums met the requirement for bronze status.
Changes that met the requirement for silver status are defining transportation electrification technologies such as EVs and charging stations and communicating zoning regulations to the public.
Also, establishing zoning regulations to facilitate EV charging station installation; for content and appearance of signage on EV supply equipment; for under what conditions EV charging stations are allowed within the public right of way; and on the appearance of public EV charging stations.
“The actions taken meet all the requirements that require zoning or code changes to meet bronze, silver and gold designation,” Jansen explained “However, these changes are not all of the requirements overall in the EV readiness program to receive the designations.”
He said communities that complete the program must complete items relating to zoning and planning; permitting and inspections; safety and training; and parking and access. Also, new construction, access to EV charging, municipal fleets, utility engagement, community engagement and market development and finance.
“To achieve each designation level, there are specific items which must be completed and a certain point threshold must be met,” Jansen said.
The Oct. 28 vote only addressed items that require village board action.
“Most items required to receive each designation level have already been completed,” he said. “Some, including these changes, still need to be officially verified by the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus. The only items which the village must still undertake are related to municipal fleets, which the village will complete in the coming months.”
Jansen said the issue was discussed at the zoning board meetings held in September and October as well as at a Sustainability Commission meeting in March.
River Forest has participated in the SolSmart program since 2022. Created by the Department of Energy, in partnership with solar nonprofits, the program addresses the problem of complicated processes and red tape discouraging well-intentioned people from installing solar at their homes or businesses.