HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Zoning Text Amendment for Landscaping Exception Related to Electric Vehicle Chargers ORDINANCE NO.4511
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE
CITY OF AMES, IOWA, BY AMENDING SECTION 29.1317
THEREOF, FOR THE PURPOSE OF EXCEPTION FOR
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 EFFECTIVE
DATE.
BE IT ENACTED, by the City Council for the City of Ames,Iowa,that:
Section One. The Municipal Code of the City of Ames, Iowa shall be and the same is hereby
amended by amending Section 29.1317 as follows:
Sec.29.1317. VEHICLE CHARGERS WITHIN SETBACKS AND PARKING AREAS
(4) 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 parking area
paving is required for the proposed use, it is subject to the procedures of a Minor Site Development Plan.
Vehicle Chargers are subject to conformance with this section, when a standard is not addressed by this
section all other zoning standards apply.
(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.
(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. All related charin equipment, including transformers,
are exempt from minimum landscape or open space area requirements of the applicable zoning district.The
Planning Director may authorize placement within 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. All ordinances,or parts of ordinances, in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to
the extent of such conflict, if any.
Section Three. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and
publication as required by law. /
Passed this 0 d day of /V(f y f,(NI kr . 2023.
Renee Nall, City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor