River Forest continued on the path toward becoming an EV Ready Community at the March 25 Village Board meeting, with officials voting unanimously to support the recommendation of the Sustainability Commission to forward a series of proposed text amendments regarding electric vehicle charging stations to the zoning board.
At their March 12 meeting, Sustainability Commissioners reviewed several examples and model language clauses provided by the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus to achieve the proposed changes and provided their input on several items before voting unanimously to make a recommendation to the village board to proceed with a text amendment related to electric vehicle charging stations.
The next step in the process will be a public hearing on the proposed changes, which include allowing an EV charging station as an accessory use; allowing EV charging spaces to count toward minimum parking requirements; and defining transportation electrification technologies to provide clear definitions for electric vehicles, electric vehicle charging stations and electric vehicle supply equipment.
Other proposed changes would establish zoning regulations to facilitate EVCS installation, assuring it no more difficult to site EVCS than any other equipment or use; establish new or articulate existing regulations for content and appearance of advertising on EVSEs; establish new or articulate existing regulations for whether and under what conditions EV charging stations are allowed in the right of way; establish new or articulate existing regulations for the appearance of public EVCs; and design parking rules to safely and equitably allow access to EVCSs.
Seth Jansen, management analyst, explained in a memo to officials that the MMC 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, Jensen said. With guidance and resources assembled by the Caucus’ EV Readiness Team, 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.
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.
Because the March 25 vote applied only to forwarding the proposed changes to the Zoning Board, discussion was minimal although Jensen clarified for trustee Katie Brennan that the section regarding the appearance of EV charging stations applied only to residential locations.
According to the MMC, a second, updated version of the EV Readiness Checklist was crafted over the course of six months with the help of the EV Ready Advisory Committee. About 70 EVRAC members, including mayors, managers and other local government staff members, as well as representatives from councils of governments; regional planning organizations; Argonne National Laboratory; EV charging station companies; the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; environmental and energy-focused nonprofit organizations; and economic development organizations. Committee members contributed nearly 350 hours during 18 meetings to create the EV Readiness Checklist and focused, priority pathways to earn Bronze, Silver or Gold EV Readiness.
Other municipalities in the second cohort are Aurora, Batavia, Bensenville, Berwyn, Chicago, Elgin, Evanston, Hickory Hills, Highland Park, Montgomery, Northbrook, Park Forest, Richton Park, Wilmette and Woodstock and DuPage and Kane counties.