TITLE
Recommendation to receive and file the Sustainable City Commission staff report on electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure policy, and direct City Manager’s Office and Department of Development Services to implement the recommendations contained within it, relating to EV infrastructure, as part of the triennial update to Title 18 of the Long Beach Municipal Code. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On November 3, 2015, the City Council requested that the Sustainable City Commission (Commission) prepare a report and recommendations on the current status, and opportunities for expansion, of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure in the City of Long Beach (City). The request contained specific direction to look at the opportunity to update the City’s building code in order to facilitate greater private investment in EV infrastructure when new construction occurs. To fulfill this request, the Commission heard presentations and provided comments on the current status of EV infrastructure in Long Beach at its meetings of December 9, 2015, and January 28, 2016. On March 24, 2016, the Commission approved the attached staff report containing a summary of key findings and three main policy recommendations (Exhibit A).
The recommendations include the formation of an EV Charging Station Task Force comprised of key City staff, the streamlining of EV charging station-related building permits followed by promoting the new process to Long Beach residents and businesses, and the revision of the Long Beach Municipal Code to require some of the highest standards for the inclusion of EV charging station infrastructure in new construction within the State of California.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Monica J. Kilaita on April 11, 2016 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on April 14, 2016.
SUSTAINABILITY
The proposed recommendations would encourage use of vehicles powered by electricity, which will cumulatively reduce carbon emissions in accordance with the City’s sustainability goals.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on May 3, 2016, to allow Development Services sufficient time to incorporate the building code recommendations into the triennial update of Title 18 of the Long Beach Municipal Code. The triennial update will be considered by the City Council in October 2016 and go into effect on January 1, 2017.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no immediate fiscal impact associated with this recommendation. The formation of a staff EV Charging Station Task Force, the process to streamline EV permitting, and the drafting of new building code language will all be completed by existing staff resources, mainly within the Development Services Department and the Office of Sustainability, utilizing existing appropriations in the Development Services Department’s Development Services Fund (EF 337). A new or revised fee could result from the development of a process to streamline EV permitting. Following development of the streamlined process, staff may propose new or revised fees. If any fee changes are proposed, those changes will be brought to the City Council for approval.
There is no known local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
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Respectfully Submitted,
AMY J. BODEK, AICP
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER