29 Wildwood EV Charging Station

Project Summary: This project will demolish an existing gas and auto repair station at 29 Wildwood Avenue and replace it with a 14-stall electric vehicle (EV) charging station.

On November 18, 2024, the City Council approved a conditional use permit for this project that included conditions related to hours of operation, fencing, signage, and other site features.

The applicant subsequently withdrew that permit and submitted a new application under California Government Code Sections 65850.7 and 65850.71. These state laws remove local discretion over EV charging station permits, limiting the scope of the City's review to compliance with health and safety standards in local, state, and federal law.

• Courtesy notice to neighbors regarding changes to the planned EV charging hub (September 22, 2025)
• Site Plan: 29 Wildwood EV Charging Hub
• Office of the Attorney General Legal Alert: Electric Vehicle Charging Station Permit Streamlining Requirements (March 18, 2025)
• Press Release: Attorney General Bonta issues legal alert reminding local jurisdictions to streamline permitting for electric vehicle charging stations

City obligations under State law

Under California Government Code Sections 65850.7 and 65850.71:

• The City is required to review the project only for compliance with health and safety standards in local, state, and federal law.
• The application has been determined to meet those standards, therefore the City is required to approve the permit.
• Under California law, the City cannot impose conditions on the permit, including any requirements related to design, landscaping, hours of operation, or amenities.
• As a ministerial project, the building permit application is statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA Guidelines section 15268).

As a result, the new project will differ significantly from what has been previously approved. It will not include canopies, fencing, landscaping, benches, or an air compressor. There will be no restrictions on allowed hours of operation.