Electric Cars Charging Stations.

Didn't see any recent postings on Electric car charging stations. Someone asked me today about installing a Charging station for an EV. This is not a problem with single family detached and townhouse (garage) single family attached homes, but we have a lot of non garage homes where the front lot line is anywhere from 6inches to 2 ft behind the sidewalk. In other words the sidewalk (which parallels the front lot line) is actually common area. For someone to install a EV charging station, they would have to install it on common area and definately would have to tunnel under the sidewalk in order to run the electric line.

In looking at the bylaws, I would think that they would not be able to install this on common area land and it certainly would be subject to the approval by the architectual review board. Even if the owner installed it on their property, I cannot see an electric line running over the sidewalk as a trip hazard.

Anyone else have experience with this issue lately?

Can you believe that you can buy an EV charging station at your local big box store? $750.

TimB4 - I heard a fella say that he was moving into your community with an EV. What do you think about that? lol

Thanks JM - I'm not saying it's a bad thing. We're just trying to sort out the details when the owner want's to install the EVCS on Common area in a townhome developement. (fee simple ownership, attached single family). I see that Sterling Davis has some stuff on Common in a common interest developement. http://www.davis-stirling.com/MainIndex/ElectricVehicles/tabid/2988/Default.aspx#axzz2CEToxsDM

You all laws start in Calif and move east?!! Right? VA just recently passed one law that allows merchants to resale electricity. HB 2105. The new law eliminates this outdated requirement that only public utilites can seel electrivity and it allows businesses to engage in the retail sale of electricity for the purpose of vehicle charging services. http://davidbulova.com/2011/07/governor-signs-delegate-bulova%E2%80%99s-electric-vehicle-charging-station-legislation/

Thanksagain.

Mike

As things advance (electric cars, solar panels) or digress (dry clothes on a clothes line, old roof top TV antennas) there is no question that associations are going to have to compromise/change.

The problem I have seen is still the same problem. Those that believe they can do anything they want to do (especially those that think they are ahead of the curve on technology like solar panels) thus the rules they signed for and agreed to do not mean $hit anymore.

We have met the enemy and they are us.....LOL

As with many issues coming before HOAs IMO this would require some thought to come up with both an acceptable and reational policy.

Now installation on common property gets into a sticky area one question would be who is liable in the event there is a problem? So kid sticks his tongue into the outlet what then? Car runs into the station what then?

And as far as extension cords running over sidewalks well not IMO a good idea. As the OP lives in a state where you might see rain or snow having electrical cords under mats subject to wear and tear (never run an extension under rugs in your home for the same reason) and then becoming wet. That's a potential problem.

I have heard stories where some of the metal grates on city streets become electrified and pets and people have been injured. Is the HOA liable, the property owner, better think about it before you allow any installations and determine under what conditions the installations can be done.

I disagree. This is not the function of the Association.
Unless your a licensed electrician, you technically wouldn't be qualified to make that determination.

I believe it's best to leave that responsibility and liability to the homeowner. Otherwise, the Association could be putting itself into a situation of having to check every extension cord used for anything outside.

However, the safety concerns are certainly valid.


I work in Broadcasting and covering the cords with a mat is an industry accepted method of minimizing the trip hazard. Mats that are properly made for this work are feathered out at the edges.

The fact that it is dark can be minimized by leaving the porch light on. Remember that the OP is discussing this for town homes which have 6-10 feet setback.


Certainly an option but it could be costly. Additionally, with assigned parking spaces (remember a town home development) this may not be practical. It would certainly get some push back from the membership when considering it for only one or two vehicles out of 200. If your building charging stations why not also build compression stations for natural gas fueled vehicles? It opens a can of worms that I don't think an Association would want to open.

However, it's certainly a valid option.


Agreed!

This is an interesting situation but one that I think has a solution. Your HOA needs to update it's CC&R's/by-laws to allow such technology. The CC&R's should be updated ever 5 to 7 years anyways to accommodate lifestyle and technology changes. Remember the old satelite dishes that were almost as big as the house? That is why in many HOA documents satellite dishes are banned. However, with today's technology and laws, satellite dishes are acceptable. It's just no one ever makes the effort to change their documentation to reflect that. Hence, why many HOA's still have the rule on their books and enforce it. Simply updating the documents would fix the sitatuation.

It is NOT easy as it can take about 51 to 90% vote of the membership to change the rules. However, that amount can also be ammended when re-drafting so that it's more reasonable. People forget that a HOA rules are created by the members for the members. So the rules can be adopted or changed by the membership as they feel fit.

Keep in mind this can be a lenghty process, will need a lawyer, and costs money to refile the documents. However, in the end your HOA has new updated rules and allowances for green technology. Which is a good thing as your HOA can now enforce rules that make sense than ones that are just on the books.

As for the Charging stations...The ACC should establish some guidelines for approval and installation. If they are to install one, then it is the responsibility of the owner to install and get approval from the board. If they don't, then it can be removed by the HOA and the bill sent to the owner. I would require the cable to be buried and some safety considerations of making sure it is seen and not touched. If your ACC and Board can establish such rules then I see no problem in having these stations as it is the future.

Thanks JM