4�pW N OF
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
OS G A't0
DATE: April 30, 2013
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: GREG LARSON, TOWN MANAGER
MEETING DATE: 5/06/13
ITEM NO: q
SUBJECT: ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS - PARKING RESTRICTIONS
AUTHORIZE RESTRICTED PARKING IN PARKING STALLS ADJACENT
TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS
RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize restricted parking in parking stalls adjacent to Electric Vehicle Charging Stations.
BACKGROUND:
The Town of Los Gatos General Plan includes language that provides support for installing
Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations.
Action ENV- -14.1 Provide incentives for new and existing comlvercial and residential projects
that provide parking spaces reserved for electric vehicles (EVs) and have a charging connection.
While the General Plan specifically calls for the provision of EV charging stations associated
with private development, the Town recognizes the benefit of providing additional charging
stations in downtown municipal parking lots, where the charging stations can be made available
for visitors, commuters, and residents.
At the March 15, 2011, Town Council meeting, the Council directed staff to move forward with
the acquisition and installation of four EV charging stations at the following locations:
• South Santa Cruz Avenue — adjacent to the Southside Parking Lot
• Parking Lot 5 — between Elm and Main
• Parking Lot 3 — between Royce and Grays Lane
• Library Parking Lot - adjacent to new Library
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PREPARED BY: TODD CAPURSO
Director of Parks and Public Works
Reviewed by. Assistant Town Manager Town Attorney Finance
PAGE 2
MAY 6, 2013
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: ELECTRIC VEHICLE CIIARGING STATIONS — PARKING RESTRICTIONS
BACKGROUND (cont'd.):
The acquisition and installation were completed at a nominal cost to the Town. The acquisition
portion of the project was funded with grant money made available to Coulomb Technologies
through the Federal Department of Energy, while the installation was funded with grant money
made available through the California Energy Commission. Town resources were used to
provide plan review and approval, as well as inspection services.
The four charging stations provide a total of six charging outlets. The two stations at parking
lots 3 and 5 are dual outlet charging stations, while the remaining two are single outlet stations.
While the Council unanimously approved moving forward with the installation of these four
charging stations, concerns were expressed regarding limiting the associated parking spaces to
electric vehicles only. Consequently, associated parking stalls were not limited to EV parking
only and that any proposed changes to this implementation would be brought back to Council for
consideration.
DISCUSSION:
The four EV charging stations became operational in June 2012. Since that time, staff has been
monitoring the usage activity for each station. Charging activity started out at a moderate rate,
but has continued to steadily increase. Initially, usage of the four stations was averaging one to
two charging sessions per day per station; however; current usage is averaging nearly three
charging sessions per station per day. Additionally, staff has received numerous concerns
(emails and telephone calls) from EV drivers expressing their frustration that the parking stalls
adjacent to the charging stations are available to all vehicles and are often occupied by
conventional vehicles, limiting the charging opportunities for EVs.
Over the last year, electric vehicles have become more popular as an alternative fuel vehicle and
are more prominent in the community. Due to the level of interest in the community, as well as
individual members of the Transportation and Parking Commission, staff determined that this
was an appropriate time to re- evaluate the parking restrictions associated with the EV charging
stations.
State law allows — but does not require — local agencies to designate parking stalls or spaces for
the exclusive purpose of parking and charging electric vehicles. (Section 22511 of the California
Vehicle Code.)
Based on community input and the Transportation and Parking Commission's discussions earlier
this spring, staff developed a proposal and presented it to the Commission at its April 11
meeting. The proposal would designate one parking space per electric charging outlet for EV
parking only (for a total of six spaces). The Commission recommended unanimously (4 -0) that
this proposal be forwarded to Council for consideration.
PAGE 3
MAY 6, 2013
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS — PARKING RESTRICTIONS
DISCUSSION (cont'd .):
Under this proposal, staff is not recommending any changes regarding the parking time limits for
these parking spaces. Staff recommends that the time limits remain consistent with other
adjacent parking spaces at this time. Because of the increased usage of electric vehicles in this
community, staff anticipates a rise in electric charging stations usage in the near future. For this
reason, as part of this report, staff is requesting Council authorization to modify the time limits
associated with the EV -only parking spaces as usage patterns for electric vehicles change over
time.
Additionally, staff will be proposing the installation of several more EV charging stations as part
of the 2013/18 Capital Improvement Program. The proposed project will focus on installations
that provide charging opportunities for Town vehicles. However, it is possible that one or more
of these locations may also provide access for public charging. In the event that Council
approves the project, staff recommends following a similar approach in designating these
parking spaces as EV parking only where appropriate.
Staff recommends that the Town Council authorize restricted parking in parking stalls adjacent
to Electric Vehicle charging stations at the four locations identified in this report — as well as
future sites as appropriate, and also allow staff to modify the time constraints associated with the
EV -only parking spaces in the future as usage patterns for electric vehicles change over time.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is a project as defined under CEQA but is Categorically Exempt (Section 15301c). A
Notice of Exemption will not be filed.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The cost to create new signs, if approved, is minimal. These costs are part of the Streets and
Signals FY 12/13 Operating Budget.
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