Planning commission approves Iona's 14-stall EV charging site at 21500 Greenfield Road

The Oak Park Planning Commission voted to approve a site plan for Iona to build a Level 3 electric vehicle charging station at 21500 Greenfield Road.

Andres Viacres, site development manager for Iona, told the commission the project would include 14 charging stalls with canopy-covered pull-through spaces, two trailer-capable stalls and seven dispensers, along with restroom and vending amenities. He said Iona is a privately funded charging network backed by multiple automakers and currently operates nationally.

During commissioner questioning, Viacres said Level 3 charging typically brings a battery from empty to about 80% in roughly 30 minutes and to a full charge in about an hour, with typical pricing in Oak Park projected at roughly $0.38'$0.42 per kilowatt-hour (estimating about $20'$40 per session depending on vehicle size). Viacres said Iona is coordinating with DTE to secure power for the site, will operate the location unmanned with 24/7 camera monitoring (identified as Verkada cameras) and will contract with local janitorial partners for daily trash collection and more frequent site maintenance as needed.

Commissioners pressed for landscaping and a buffer to protect the adjacent neighborhood; staff and the applicant said the site plan includes additional landscaping, and staff will work with the applicant to expand species diversity in the buffer. Staff also clarified that construction cannot begin until the city council adopts the zoning amendment and it becomes effective; Viacres said typical build time for the station is 6'8 weeks, and that with permitting and power secured the company aims to have the site live by late Q4.

After discussion, the commission moved, held a roll-call vote and approved the site plan.

"We are developing level 3 charging network across the United States," Viacres said. "We can build our projects as soon as we get building and power secured for the sites."