NORTH BRUNSWICK – North Brunswick has undertaken several initiatives to improve the environment, such as requiring that 10 percent of the energy generated by the MainStreetNB transit village property on Route 1 be alternative energy, having big box stores install solar energy panels, and not allowing potable (drinking) water to be used for landscaping purposes.
The most recent effort is presenting an ordinance to allow electric vehicle charging stations throughout town.
The modification to Chapter 205 of the Municipal Land Use Ordinance was unanimously adopted by the North Brunswick Planning Board on July 17 and will now move on to the Township Council for adoption.
At a meeting in April, Township Planner Thomas Vigna noted the growth of electric vehicle use, with 20 percent of the population projected to be driving electric cars by 2030, and 35 percent expected by 2040. Vigna cited “range anxiety,” where people are fearful they will not have enough charge for a round trip.
Last week, Vigna provided more details of the plan, which includes mandating new construction to include 3 percent of its required parking as electric accessible, but up to 7 percent as demands increase.
The regulations would apply to: apartment, townhouse and condominium complexes with more than 20 units; offices and warehouses of at least 20,000 square feet; hotels and motels with more than 50 rooms; big box stores and large retail establishments of more than 10,000 square feet; gyms and health clubs of more than 10,000 square feet; restaurants that are not drive-ins that are at least 2,000 square feet; movie theaters, roller skating rinks, places of assembly, automotive stations, commercial recreation establishments and drive-in restaurants of at least 2,000 square feet; and convenience stores of 4,000 square feet.
The ordinance will require a minimum of two handicap-accessible spaces, though they will not be restricted only to handicap vehicles.
The speed of charging should be at 15 kilowatts per hour.
The charging spaces should be installed within six months of notification by the township.
Vigna said that in 2016, there were 140,000 electric vehicles in the nation; predictions say that by 2025 there will be 330,000 new all-electric vehicles sold in New Jersey annually, with two million plug-in electric vehicles being sold by 2035.
“We are expecting rampant growth,” he said.
