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A growing number <br />of communities <br />have added zoning <br />provisions in recent <br />years to promote <br />infrastructure for <br />electric vehicles. <br />7. Prepare for Electric Vehicles <br />Electric vehicles (EVs) are increasing in <br />popularity, although it is too early to tell if <br />they will be produced in significant enough <br />numbers to compete with their gas -powered <br />cousins. EVs present an interesting set of <br />issues for utilities, but with incentives to <br />encourage off-peak charging (e.g., at night) <br />EVs can avoid undue impact on the grid <br />and allow utilities to sell more electricity at <br />off- hours. <br />Zoning codes typically do not address <br />EV infrastructure. In general EVs are treated <br />the same in zoning codes that any other <br />vehicle. In a typical scenario these spaces <br />would be part of the parking supply and <br />applied toward the required number of <br />parking spaces. If provided, the Americans <br />with Disabilities Act requires one or more <br />EV spaces to be provided as disabled <br />parking. <br />However, a growing number of <br />communities have added zoning provisions <br />in recent years to promote infrastructure <br />for electric vehicles. For example, Sequim, <br />Washington, devotes an entire chapter <br />of its zoning code to EV infrastructure <br />requirements (Chapter18.5o). Sequin <br />does not require the installation of electric <br />vehicle spaces but does include detailed <br />provisions that apply if they are to be <br />installed. Also, CalGreen includes model <br />provisions that could be adopted by <br />jurisdictions to require prewiring for future <br />spaces (§A5.1o6.5.3)• <br />8. Set the Bar High <br />A variety of project rating systems can be <br />used by local governments to encourage <br />energy efficiency. These systems may either <br />be incorporated into the zoning code as <br />requirements or used to incentivize more <br />sustainable development. <br />Jurisdictions may encourage <br />developers to build projects that comply <br />with sustainable development rating <br />systems by offering density bonuses or <br />expedited permitting. For example, Rancho <br />Cucamonga, California, recently adopted <br />a rating system based on CalGreen that <br />qualifies energy -efficient residential and <br />nonresidential projects for an expedited <br />permitting process. While developers are <br />always interested in expedited processing <br />times, the desire to implement energy <br />efficiency often comes down to direct <br />financial benefits: Can the homes be sold <br />for more if a solar system is installed? <br />Jennifer Nakamura, senior planner <br />9. Partner With Your Utilities <br />Why would utility companies want less <br />consumption of energy? After all, utilities are <br />in the business of selling the stuff. In some <br />markets utilities may be required to refund <br />profits above a certain amount, so they <br />don't necessarily make more if more energy <br />is sold. In other cases, if a utility brings in <br />less revenue than expected due to reduced <br />electricity use, the state compensates them <br />for the difference. This incentivizes the utility <br />to produce less electricity because they get <br />to pocket the savings and are guaranteed <br />a certain profit. Capacity constraints also <br />play a role and may encourage conservation. <br />Since it is extremely costly to permit, <br />construct, and operate a new power plant, <br />it can be more cost-effective to promote <br />conservation as a way to reduce demand. <br />Electric <br />Vehicle <br />Perk E. <br />Charge <br />omeproperty owners:already;; <br />lectricvehrcle.are spaces with chargin <br />arkrg <br />with Rancho Cucamonga, explains that <br />apartment projects can be especially tricky, <br />since reductions in electricity use benefit <br />future tenants and not the developer. <br />Requiring provisions for more <br />sustainable development —as opposed <br />to simply providing incentives —is also an <br />option. For example, Duarte, California, <br />has adopted an approach that incorporates <br />a wide range of CalGreen provisions <br />directly into a chapter of its zoning code <br />(Chapter 19.52). Different sustainable <br />development provisions apply based on <br />the size of project. <br />As a consequence, cities and counties <br />throughout the United States have launched <br />energy -efficiency programs in cooperation <br />with local utilities. Christina Prestella, a <br />program manager with Pacific Gas and <br />Electric, explains that local government <br />programs are popular politically since they <br />are viewed as ways to save money and use <br />resources more efficiently. In addition to <br />energy -efficiency programs which provide <br />direct energy savings to existing buildings, <br />utilities are also funding efforts to help local <br />governments craft regulations that apply to <br />new construction activities that will lead to <br />ZONINGPRACTICE 12.2 <br />AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION I page 6 <br />