HomeMy WebLinkAboutEstablish Electric Vehicle Charging Station Buffer Zones - S City of Huntington Beach
File #: 21-660 MEETING DATE: 9/7/2021
Submitted by Councilmember Kalmick - Establish Electric Vehicle Charging Station Buffer
Zones
I recommend that the City Council direct the City Manager to review our existing EV charging station
regulations, and develop any necessary amendments to applicable land use codes to ensure that
buffer zones are established to prevent nuisance noise disruptions for residential properties.
Cary of Huntington Beach Page 1 of 1 Pnnted!o1¢n g!1/2021
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CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
CITY COUNCIL MEETING — COUNCIL MEMBER ITEMS REPORT
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: DAN KALMICK, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
DATE: SEPTEMBER 7, 2021
SUBJECT: ESTABLISHING ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION BUFFER ZONES
The ongoing proliferation of electric vehicles (EV) has resulted in the increased installation of EV
charging stations on residential, public, and commercial properties. Based on a local situation
that developed in Huntington Beach, we have seen that certain types of EV charging stations
produce ambient noises that can create residential nuisances if the facilities are installed in close
proximity to homes.
While the City does have regulations in place to control for nuisance noises, the sound that
certain EV charging stations create can be within acceptable levels and still present a disruption
to some property owners, particularly when such noises are uninterrupted or persistent. As such,
I believe implementing additional EV charging station installation requirements, such as a
minimum buffer zone between charging stations and residential properties or other sensitive
receptors, is worth examining to prevent any such disruptions for residents. Further, any
regulations developed should not deter future efforts to expand the installation of EV charging
stations throughout the City.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
I recommend that the City Council direct the City Manager to review our existing EV charging
station regulations, and develop any necessary amendments to applicable land use codes to
ensure that buffer zones are established to prevent nuisance noise disruptions for residential
properties.
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