The 10 stations were approved 5-1 during a regular council meeting Sept. 16, with all council members but Tag Green voting in support of the stalls.
What’s new
The EV-charging stations along Rufe Snow Drive will provide nine standard charging stalls and one accessible charging stall, according to city documents. Their location will be different from when the stations were first proposed during a July 15 City Council meeting.
Vanessa Herrera, a co-owner of JR’s BBQ-N-More, said some businesses at the center were in opposition to the first location because the charging stations would decrease the number of parking spaces available for customers.
“We are opposed to the location, not opposed to the EV,” Herrera said.
The new location will convert angled parking spots in the area of the nearby Tom Thumb into head-in parking, a representative with the retail center, Regency Centers, said.
The installation will include six smart poles, one electrical switchboard, one utility transformer and two trash cans, according to city documents. The new stations were also approved with the condition that a Knox box, which is used by emergency responders to shut down power quickly and securely, be implemented into the stations for fire safety purposes. Signage will also be required to notify customers that the parking spots are “EV preferred” but any car can park there.
“I’ve wanted an amenity like this in our town for a while,” council member Shannon Dubberly said. “It’ll bring in business.”
The project timeline was not discussed during the meeting.
The background
The charging stations were tabled in three previous council meetings because of opposition from businesses and to provide more time for the applicant to find a new location. Council members said the additional time would help with government efficiency during a council meeting Aug. 19.
