The six-month moratorium approved during the Sept. 5 meeting will take immediate effect and allow staff more time to design definitions and definitional zoning uses for chargers and other necessary equipment.
The overview
Since 2011, there have been about 64 electrical vehicle charging stations that have gone through the city’s permitting or site plan amendment process, Director of Planning Services Erica Marohnic said. However, city staff are aware that there are many more out there, she added.
The push to codify definitions and define zoning uses of electrical vehicle chargers and charging equipment has come from direction from both council and the Grapevine Planning and Zoning Commission, Marohnic said.
“We didn’t have any definition or use with a definition in our zoning ordinance,” Marohnic said. “The request was made to design and develop our own definitions.”
The context
More recently, larger numbers of charging stations and equipment have been requested, Marohnic said, which is also reflected in city documents. One of the more recent requests was for 12 charging stations, compared to two in the inaugural 2011 request.
Additionally, Marohnic said that some neighboring cities lack the definitions and zoning uses, similar to Grapevine, which has created an accommodating development market for electric vehicle chargers.
An initial presentation was made to the Grapevine Planning and Zoning Commission during its Aug. 1 meeting.
What’s next?
According to Marohnic, city staff continues to make progress on developing definitions and zoning uses. Once the guidelines are developed, they will be presented during a joint meeting with the Grapevine Planning and Zoning Commission and council.
During the hearing, commissioners and council can accept the proposed regulations or provide further direction for city staff. Marohnic said she thinks the process can be completed within the six-month moratorium adopted by council.
