Santa Monica Planning Commission To Consider Electric Vehicle Sales On Promenade:

The process is far from complete, but the Third Street Promenade is one step closer to having an all-electric vehicle sales showroom as the Santa Monica Planning Commission rubber stamped a resolution on Sept. 21 allowing manufacturers of electric vehicles to set up shop in the city’s most iconic shopping thoroughfare.

With the unanimous approval of the resolution, commissioners will now hold a public hearing on whether to make a recommendation to changes to the Zoning Ordinance in order to allow an electric vehicle showroom and sales center on the north end of the Third Street Promenade.

“The first step in the ordinance adoption process is for the Planning Commission to announce its intention to consider … an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance,” Paul Foley, a principal planner for the city, wrote to commissioners in a staff report. “A public hearing by the Planning Commission to consider staff recommendations on this ordinance is scheduled on October 19, 2011.”

Santa Monica residents will also be able to provide input on the planned ordinance change.

The resolution considered by commissioners stated “in order to encourage environmentally-friendly vehicles and support the City’s goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and green businesses and jobs, it is desirous that the electric vehicle automobile dealership showrooms be allowed in commercially prominent locations, including the Third Street Promenade, to support sales of the vehicles.”

Electric vehicle automobile dealership showrooms have already been established in shopping centers in other cities such as Los Angeles, San Jose, Calif., and Lone Tree, Colo.

Council member Terry O’Day introduced the idea of allowing electric vehicle dealership on the Third Street Promenade at the Aug. 9 city council meeting.

Should commissioners recommend the zoning ordinance change after the Oct. 19 public hearing, the issue will likely return to the Santa Monica City Council for adoption.