The Ripon City Council recently approved a Zoning Text Amendment on Electric Vehicle Charging Station.

No discussion was necessary as elected leader adopted the stand-alone ordinance at their Nov. 10 monthly session to comply with state laws.

“Over the past several years, the State of California had adopted legislation requiring local jurisdictions to streamline the permitting process for Electric Vehicle charging stations in accordance with (the Government Codes),” said Ken Zuidervaart.

The Planning Director added, “These laws are intended to accelerate the availability of EV infrastructure statewide by requiring cities to adopt an ordinance providing for ministerial review and expediated approval of qualifying EV charging station applications.”

In October, the Ripon Planning Commission gave the go-ahead for Ionna – a HPC charging network for EVs based in North Carolina – to put in an unattended six dual-port EV chargers, providing 12 charging stations equipped with a covered weather protection canopy at 1504 Colony Road.

Approved was a Major Site Plan consisting of 27,443 square feet of undeveloped parcel between La Quinta Inn and Starbucks between Jack Tone Road and Highway 99 on and off ramps.

The newly-approved Zoning Text Amendment is consistent with the City of Ripon’s General Plan, particularly its goals in promoting sustainable transportation, energy efficiency, and environmental stewardship, according to Zuidervaart in his report.