The City Council on Monday night unanimously approved a resolution for a 14-stall electric vehicle charging station at 29 Wildwood Avenue. The Planning Commission approved the application with conditions at a special meeting on Oct. 29.
The Commission said then that the Shell Recharge application, submitted in November 2023, could move forward with some modifications, most notably to limit the hours of operation from 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. — a concession to neighbors who objected to the original 24/7 operation plan. Some residents who spoke at Monday’s meeting said they continued to have concerns about the project and Shell’s representation of the plan.
Shell’s representatives asked the Council to reject the time limits and support a 24/7 operating permit, citing issues of equity and accessibility. But councilmembers said there was no clear need for overnight use and noted the presence of other public charging sites within a few mile radius of the city.
Shell Recharge submitted applications for a conditional use permit, non-residential sign design review permit, and design review permit to the city on Nov. 9, 2023, and an application for a variance from setback requirements on Jan. 25, 2024. The project would replace what had long been a gas and auto repair station.
In written correspondence over the past year to the city and at Monday’s meeting, residents who live near the site largely supported the EV charging destination but objected to, among other things, the 24/7 operation plan, expressing concerns about noise, traffic, and crime in the overnight hours at what would be an unattended site.
The Commission adopted the resolution with the following conditions:
*The facility’s operational hours be limited to 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.;
*The site’s power equipment area be enclosed with fencing to buffer noise and a concrete wall that steps up from 3 feet to 8 feet added to mitigate noise for neighbors;
*Site maintenance to include a security plan that would be subject to approval by the city and police chief
*The site’s signage be adjusted to conform to city design guidelines; i.e., limiting the number of signs to one sign per facade, and that they be in proportion in relation to canopy;
*Include an arborist and tree preservation plan;
*Include an air compressor for tires as a service to customers
Shell representatives provided an email to the city from PG&E confirming that it was not possible to underground electrical equipment, a measure that residents had hoped could help mitigate noise, vibration, and EMF emissions in the area.