The West Hollywood Planning Commission recommended a zone text amendment (ZTA24-0012) to designate electric vehicle (EV) charging sites and service stations as primary uses in specific commercial zones, addressing the growing demand for EV infrastructure. The amendment aligns with the city’s climate goals while navigating state mandates, as discussed during a public hearing.
Contract planner Jordan Parrish presented the proposal, which updates WHMC Section 19.90.020 with three components: clarifying EV-related definitions, permitting EV charging sites by-right in the CN zone (along Melrose Avenue and Robertson Boulevard), and allowing EV service stations via conditional use permits (CUPs) in CN, CC/SSP, CA, and CR zones. The CN zone was chosen to minimize housing displacement, as other zones are better suited for high-density residential development. State law, including AB 970 (2021), mandates ministerial approval of EV charging sites, but cities can specify zones to guide placement. EV service stations, functioning like traditional gas stations with amenities (e.g., a Santa Ana station with a miniature Gelson’s), adapt existing service station regulations while upholding the city’s ban on fossil fuel stations.
The proposal supports the WeHo Climate Action and Adaptation Plan’s goals to expand public EV charging (EN-5) and promote zero-carbon transportation (TM-2), aligning with California’s target to phase out gasoline-only vehicles by 2035. Acting Director Jennifer Alkire highlighted a regional gap, noting Los Angeles County had only 10,516 public chargers for 282,343 EVs by 2022. She also addressed correspondence from Aaron Green of the Pacific Design Center (PDC), who withdrew a comment after clarification that EV charging is permitted as an accessory use in the PDCSP zone. The amendment passed with six ayes, noting Chair Michael A. Lombardi’s absence, forwarding the recommendation to the City Council.
Reality ✅ As of March 2025: Clean energy sources generated more than half (50.8%) of U.S. electricity. This record was driven largely by an increase in WIND and SOLAR power, which reached a record 24.4% of U.S. electricity. In 2024 the Great State of California had 54% of its electricity generated by renewables, with NO greenhouse gas emissions ❗ Note that for nearly 10 years now Wind and Solar have been outcompeting fossil fuels.Also California leads the nation in smart grid technology that includes, smart meters, sensors, thyristors (high power solid-state switches), next generation transformers and, AI real-time power management.… Read more »
Such a joke. EV’s are tremendously more expensive and with workers driving long distance, petrolium is still the most economical and reliable source for transportation energy. The California grid is a joke especially when there is high demand for electricity STATE WIDE and our idiot governor asks us to reduce usage!!!! Also, how is CA electricy produced? Not solar, not wind, not nuclear but oil. This is a falicy that EV’s are going to save the climate. Why not shut down Van Nuys airport so all the private jets, that use soooo much fuel and pollute much more? Is this… Read more »
I can’t thank the City of West Hollywood enough for putting up the Chargies in my building. I have a hybrid and have not had to buy gas for months now.
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Looks better than the competition.