Another EV Charging Station Coming to Monteagle
by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer
The Monteagle Planning Commission approved the site plan for another EV charging station at the April 16 meeting. The single charging station currently located in Monteagle only offers service to Tesla vehicles. The commission also clarified language in an ordinance governing residing in recreational vehicles.
The commission previously rejected the site plan of the EV charging station company Owl Services. “We were unsatisfied with the location,” said Chair Ed Provost. Truck traffic “blocked” accessibility commented town planner Jonathan Rush. The new site, at the Pilot Travel Center just off I-24, will replace current parking in front of the drive thru lane at the Wendy’s. “It’s a much better location,” Rush said. But he pointed out, the site plan called for eliminating 248 square feet of landscaping. One tree would be moved and another tree planted providing “sufficient” shade Rush maintained.
The all-asphalt 240 square-foot site would have a 25-foot concrete pad, said Owl representative Gregory Helman, making it “difficult to add grass.” Commissioner Katie Trahan said she was “excited” about the project, but wanted the company to “soften” the appearance. Helman proposed adding another tree on the other side of the drive. The commission approved the site plan subject to the addition of a second tree. Both new trees will be American Hornbeams, a species from the list approved for this type of project.
The ordinance governing residing in recreational vehicles made an inaccurate reference to another ordinance, Rush explained. The commission approved an amendment correcting the reference. The amended ordinance governing residence in recreational vehicles stipulates, “RVs shall not be used for temporary or permanent occupancy outside of an approved campground except as permitted in section 537 governing temporary dwelling units.”
At 5 p.m., Saturday, April 27, at City Hall, Community by Design planners from the American Institute of Architects will present a growth plan for Monteagle, drawing on insight into the town gained from meeting with residents and business and political leaders. In February, the planning commission deferred a decision on allowing campgrounds in Commercial C-2 zoning pending the Community by Design group’s recommendations.