Planning Commission Agenda and Packet 2021 09 09

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LL City'}f Planning Commission Louisville Staff Report <'c».c 1ZADO-5I1CJ 878. September9, 2021 ITEM: LMCA-0371-2021 — Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Code Amendment PLANNER: Lisa Ritchie, AICP, Interim Director of Planning and Building Safety APPLICANT: Staff Initiated REQUEST: Consideration of Resolution 13, Series 2021, Recommending Approval of an Ordinance Amending Louisville Municipal Code Title 17, Zoning, Concerning Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure SUMMARY: The 2021 City Council work plan includes sustainability and energy efficiency updates to Title 15, Buildings and Construction (building code) over two phases. The first phase consists of consideration of adoption of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) to improve energy efficiency and carbon reduction, along with consideration of electric vehicle (EV) charging requirements. The second phase includes consideration of additional measures such as all -building electrification, LEED-type development rating system and/or other building code changes that promote energy efficiency and carbon reduction. The draft ordinance primarily includes changes to Title 15, however amendments for requirements for EV charging requirements are proposed in Title 17, Zoning. The packet includes the entirety of the draft ordinance amending Titles 15 and 17, but Planning Commission will review and make recommendations on the section amending Title 17. For ease of review, the packet also includes an excerpt that includes only the Title 17 amendments. Adopting these regulations in Title 17 allows the city to have the authority to regulate and establish expectations at the PUD/PUD Amendment stage of a development or redevelopment. The draft ordinance applies these regulations for all new development and redevelopment resulting in 25% or more new square footage through a building addition and establishes both general requirements for EV charging and the required amounts by land use. DISCUSSION: The draft ordinance proposes a new Section within Chapter 17.20. Off -Street Parking and Loading as Sec. 17.20.170 Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure. The purpose of this new section is to facilitate and encourage the use of EVs and to expedite the establishment of convenient and cost-effective EV infrastructure. Generally, it is less expensive to install the electrical system and hardware at the time of construction, rather than retrofitting later. By requiring these systems up front, it helps reduce barriers for expansion of EV use within the community.