Agenda Date: 03/09/2026
Subject:
Title
PC Resolution 02-2026: A Resolution of the Littleton Planning Commission Recommending Approval to City Council of Code Text Amendments to the Unified Land Use Code Regarding Electric Vehicle Charging.
Body
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Prepared by: |
Jerad Chipman, Planning Manager, AICP |
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Presentations: |
Jerad Chipman, Planning Manager, AICP |
PURPOSE:
To consider adoption of amendments to the Unified Land Use Code (ULUC) regarding electric vehicle charging.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Sustainable Community with Natural Beauty; Environmental Stewardship; High-Quality Governance
DISCUSSION:
Staff will provide a presentation to discuss the proposed amendments to the Unified Land Use Code (ULUC) regarding electric vehicle charging.
BACKGROUND:
Colorado House Bill 24-1173 mandated the creation of a model land use code for electric vehicle charging. That legislation resulted in the creation of the “Colorado Electric Vehicle Charging Model Land Use Code & Guidance” document, in March of 2025 by the Colorado Energy Office. The 2024 legislation required implementation of certain revisions by January 1, 2026. An extension has been provided to that timeline to allow additional time for municipalities to comply with the model code. Over the past six months staff have been in communication with the State and their consultant regarding draft ULUC text amendment language. The attached draft ordinance described as Exhibit A in the resolution, has been vetted by the State’s consultant and has been preliminarily approved.
At the January 22, 2026 planning commission meeting, a conversation occurred pertaining to the forthcoming electric vehicle charging text amendment. The Littleton Planning Commission indicated their opposition to principal use electric vehicle charging within the Multi-Family Residential (MFR) zoning district, and the possibility of creating regulations pertaining to convenience stores and their relationship to principal use electric vehicle charging. Staff discussed these items with the State’s consultant and as a result, have made changes to the proposed text amendment. Staff is proposing principal use electric vehicle charging be a conditional use in the MFR zoning district. This would result in the planning commission reviewing any principal use electric vehicle charging within the MFR district. Staff are also proposing convenience stores only being allowed to be accessories to principal use electric vehicle charging in the NC, CM, BC, and IP zoning districts. The planning commission could choose to have convenience stores allowed as conditional uses in these zoning districts if they so choose via a proposed amendment to this resolution.
The following is a synopsis of the proposed changes that will be discussed in the attached presentation:
Table 10-1-1.3.1 Land Use Matrix
Adding Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging as a separate principal use in the DTA, DMU, NC, CM, BC, and IP districts. Adding Principal EV Charging as a conditional use in the MFR district.
Altering the Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging, Accessory to allow the use in all districts.
Subsection 10-1-1.4.D Commercial and Office Land Uses
Adding use standards pertaining to principal EV Charging Stations regarding Applicability, Zoning Standards, Location of Station Equipment, Canopy Design, Car Wash, Convenience Store, and Process.
Subsection 10-1-1.6.A Accessory Uses
Updating existing standards pertaining to accessory EV Charging Station regarding Building Permit Required, Exemptions, and Non-Conforming Lots.
Table 10-1-3.4.1 Sustainability Incentives
Amending the sustainability incentive to account for the recently adopted building code provisions.
Table 10-1-3.7.A.1 Required Off-Street Parking
Amending the parking calculations in the parking table to comply with the recently adopted building code provisions.
Subsection 10-1-3.7.C.C Parking and Loading Design
Removing the EV section of this subsection.
Subsection 10-12-2.1
Adding and amending definitions for Electric Vehicle, Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging: Accessory Use, Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging: Principal Use, EV Charging Station, EV Charging Electrical Utility Equipment, Fuel Sales (Retail), and Convenience Store.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the proposed amendments to Title 10 as outlined in the attached Resolution 2-2026.
ALTERNATIVES:
Planning commission may recommend approval, approval with amendment, or denial of the resolution recommending the text amendment ordinance to city council.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve PC Resolution 02-2026 recommending approval to city council of code text amendments to Title 10 regarding electric vehicle charging.