EV Charging Stations Proposed for Mamaroneck Avenue

by Meg Yergin -

A commercial electric vehicle (EV) charging operation is planned for a lot directly across from Brixmor shopping center, between Avalon Apartments and Mamaroneck Avenue School.  This section of Mamaroneck Avenue is known to be one of the most heavily congested roadways in the Village and near the site of a fatal traffic accident in 2024.  The lot at 816 Mamaroneck Avenue is also in the flood zone.

Green Water & Power NYC Electrical LLC (Green Water) presented its proposed site plan for this retail operation at the Planning Board’s (PB) meeting on October 15, 2025.  The project’s design includes eight parking spaces, each with its own charging unit, supporting equipment stored in power cabinets on an elevated platform, and a transformer on a concrete pad.  No buildings or other structures are proposed.  The operation will be managed remotely and the site maintained weekly.

EV Charging Station Proposed for 816 Mamaroneck Avenue

Village Code Lacks Operating Standards

The Village does not name retail EV charging stations as a permitted use in the Code nor provide standards for its operations as some other municipalities have done.  As an example, Ossining’s code requirements for EV charging stations detail operating standards, site plan review, a decommissioning plan and a fire safety compliance plan. See HERE. 

In the absence of a direct reference to retail EV charging stations in the Village Code, Green Water’s attorney Kristen Motel told the PB that EV charging stations should be considered equivalent to motor vehicle filling stations which are a permitted use in the Village for zoning purposes.  See HERE.

The problem with accepting that argument is that the requirements in the Code for Motor Vehicle Filling Stations do not include standards for the unique safety and zoning questions that come with commercial EV charging stations.  For example, should specific dimensional and material standards be established for the transformer?  What standards should be applied for the utility lines?  What type of fire safety plan should be required and what are the implications of building in a flood zone?

Village Public EV Charging Stations  

Currently, there are no retail EV charging stations operating in the Village. The only references to EV charging stations in the Code appear in Article III Parking, Standing and Stopping.  In that article, Section 326-34.1 states that only electric cars may park in spaces with electric chargers, and then only when charging.  It does not include any standards for the safe operation of the charging stations.

Section 326-93.1 identifies the location of on-street and off-street electric charging stations. So far, only two public charging stations located at the Hunter Tier parking lot at 141 Prospect Avenue are listed.  However, the Board of Trustees is considering installing six more public charging stations in the Phillips Park Road parking lot that will be available to residents for a fee to the Village.  See HERE.

Multiple Variances and a Special Permit Required

Building Inspector Scott Ransom agrees with Motel’s assertion that the proposed EV charging station should be considered a motor vehicle filling station in terms of zoning. 

In his Letter of Determination, Ransom cites seven Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) approvals needed for the project to comply with the Code’s standards for a Motor Vehicle Filling Station.  The required variances include proximity to a school, exceeding the maximum allowed building coverage by 25%, exceeding minimum dimensions of the rear and front yards.  The project also requires a special permit to operate 24 hours a day from the ZBA and site plan approval from the Planning Board.  See HERE.

Proposed Location for Retail EV Charging Stations

 Safety and Environmental Concerns

The proposed project site is in the AE flood hazard zone.  Green Water told the PB that it planned to elevate its equipment on a platform but has not provided information on how the equipment will be anchored to withstand flood conditions.  PB Chair Seamus O’Rourke pointed out that the site plan proposes transitioning the lot from one covered by grass and mature trees to one covered by 85% impervious surface.  “No one in the Village is going to want to look at that or like that idea – period,” O’Rourke said, noting that this area is highly prone to flooding.

PB members also raised concerns regarding the project’s impact on the residential properties which border the site, increased traffic congestion in the area and risks to pedestrian safety.  A tragic traffic accident that killed a mother and child walking to Mamaroneck Avenue School occurred on this block on June 20, 2024.  

PB Member Helen Rafferty asked about drivers’ sight lines when exiting the space as curbside parking is permitted on that block.  As a mitigation method the Village’s planning consultant AKRF recommended that the PB consider restricting the single driveway to right-in/right-out only. 

The PB also asked the applicant to provide more information regarding first responder and fire truck access plans.

Next Steps

The applicant will go to the ZBA to request area variances and special permit approvals.