HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Zoning Text Amendment for Setbacks and Screening of Electric Vehicle Chargers ORDINANCE NO. 4501
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE
CITY OF AMES, IOWA, BY AMENDING SECTIONS
29.402(c)(X7M, 29.408(4)(a)(i), AND 29.408(4)(a)(iv), AND
ENACTING A NEW SECTION 29.1316 THEREOF, FOR THE
PURPOSE OF ELECTRICAL VEHICLE CHARGERS WITHIN
SETBACKS AND PARKING AREAS; REPEALING ANY AND
ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT
TO THE EXTENT OF SUCH CONFLICT; AND ESTABLISHING
AN E s +ECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ENACTED, by the City Council for the City of Ames,Iowa,that:
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Section One. The Municipal Code of the City of times,Iowa shall be and the same is hereby
amended by amending Sections 29.402(c)(xix),29.408(a)(i), and 29.408(a)(iv),and enacting a new
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Section 29.1316 as follows:
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"Section 29.402. SETBACKS.
(1) Building Setback Standard. Except as provided below,all buildings and structures,Principal
and Accessory,shall be located to comply with the minimum and maximum Building Setbacks established
for Principal and Accessory Buildings listed in each Zone Development Standards Table, Supplemental
Development Standards Table,condition,or other regulation applicable to the lot or the use being employed
i at the site.
(c) Full projections allowed. In addition to the minor projections listed in the previous
section,the following features are allowed to fully project into required setbacks:
(xix) Electric vehicle chargers for nonresidential uses that comply with standards set
out in Article 13.
Sec. Sec.29.408. OTHER GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS.
(4) Mechanical Units and Transformers.
(a) Screening Required.
(i)For all uses,except for single-family and two-family dwellings, all mechanical
units located on the ground shall be screened from ground level view from abutting streets by a sight
obscuring fence and/or shrubs that achieve a minimum opacity of approximately 75%. Such shrubs shall
be at least 75%the height of the mechanical equipment at the time of installation.Screening shall be at least
6 inches higher than the average height of the mechanical equipment at full growth. Fences shall be equal
to the average height of the equipment. Electric vehicle chargers and their associated cabinets are not a
mechanical unit and are not subject to screening.
(iv)Sites with front yard landscaping as required within Section 29.403 and where
mechanical units are located behind the centerline of a building. Where front yard landscaping is not in
place, screening is required. For industrial and commercial sites, the Planning Director may approve
screening to meet the requirements of this section solely based upon front yard landscaping and other site
features that obscure equipment when equipment is set internal to a site and set back from a street at a
distance substantially greater than minimum setback requirements.
Sec.29.1316. VEHICLE CHARGERS WITHIN SETBACKS AND PARKING AREAS
(l) Approval of a Zoning Permit is required prior to the placement of an electric vehicle
charger and related equipment on a site. Placement of residential electric vehicle chargers at a single-family
and two-family dwelling site is exempted from the Zoning Permit requirement. If additional paving is
{ required for the proposed use, it is subject to the procedures of a Minor Site Development Plan. Vehicle
jChargers are subject to conformance with this section, when a standard is not addressed by this section all
3 other zoning standards apply.
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(2) Electric Vehicle Charging equipment consisting of charger pedestals and one(1)ancillary
cabinet per four (4) charger pedestals is permitted within a setback when located within a commercial
parking lot.Transformers are not permitted within the setback.
j (3) Charger pedestals and one cabinet per four chargers may be placed within the front yard
landscaped area when there is a minimum of 10 feet of clear front yard landscape area between the chargers
and related equipment and the front property line. The Planning Director may authorize placement within
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side and rear yard setbacks subject to review of the landscape plan. Placement of the equipment is subject
to review of related landscaping for aesthetics and screening. Installation of the chargers and equipment
shall not substantially impact or remove healthy existing mature trees within the front yard when feasible
alternatives exist.
(4) Placement of vehicle chargers and related equipment may substitute for up to two vehicle
parking spaces on a site to meet minimum parking requirements.
(5) Signage for a charger is allowed to be applied to or integrated with the charger casing in
addition to other signage allowances for a site to identify the charging stations and provide instructional
information. "Applied or integrated with the charger"does not allow for signage greater than the profile of
the charger or use of the charger as a support for additional signage."
Section Two. Violation of the provisions of this ordinance shall constitute a municipal infraction
punishable as set out by law.
Section Three. All ordinances, or parts of ordinances,in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to
the extent of such conflict, if any.
Section Four. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and
publication as required by law.
Passed this 23 day of May,2023.
Renee IAII,City Clerk John A.Hafla,Mayor