DeKalb Officials Aim to Increase Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

DeKalb City Officials Push for More Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

DeKALB – City officials in DeKalb are working to make the community more welcoming to electric vehicle (EV) drivers. A recent policy change could ease restrictions on where EV charging stations can be located.

The DeKalb Planning and Zoning Commission recently approved text amendments to the city code. This initial approval now awaits a final vote by the City Council.

Scott Zak, DeKalb’s communications and engagement manager, explained that the city is striving for recognition as an “Electric Vehicle (EV) friendly community.” He noted that the commission’s action represents a significant step in achieving the “bronze level” of EV readiness.

“We are starting with the bronze level,” Zak said. “What we have tonight are the minimum changes we would need to the [unified development ordinance] to be classified as bronze level EV ready. That would be advertised as such that DeKalb is [an] ‘EV friendly community.’”

City documents reveal plans to amend the city code and allow EV charging stations as an accessory use in all zoning districts. The city also intends to allow these stations to count toward the minimum parking space requirements. This initiative aligns with DeKalb’s five-year Sustainability Plan, adopted in 2024, which aims to create a more sustainable community, reduce carbon emissions, and combat climate change.

Around the same time, the City Council joined the Greenest Regions Compact, supporting the implementation of DeKalb’s Sustainability Plan. Zak highlighted the benefits of this program.

“They make available to you many programs that can help you with your sustainability goals,” Zak said. “One of them is called the ‘EV Readiness Program.’ It’s actually funded by ComEd. It’s put on by the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus. The whole goal is to eliminate as many barriers as possible to owning an electric vehicle.”

Zak emphasized the value of the EV Readiness Program.

“There’s classes every other week that we attend,” Zak said. “It’s very comprehensive. It does everything from training from first responders on how to respond to a fire with an electric vehicle, which is very different from a regular car, to recommending zoning changes.”

DeKalb already has charging stations throughout the community, including locations at the AMC Market Square 10 movie theater on Sycamore Road and Van Buer Plaza downtown.

City Planner Dan Olson noted that while some communities mandate a certain number of charging stations per project, this is not yet a requirement in DeKalb.

“We’re not at that point at this time,” Olson said. “If it’s more of a demand, we’ll kind of follow that.”

The City Council is scheduled to vote on the ordinance, which recommends the code changes, on March 10.