Arnold, CA…Letter To The Editor below regarding the Tesla Supercharger station being constructed behind the Meadowmont Shopping Center in Arnold. I am a concerned citizen who has watched in horror as other high risk areas in California burn, nearly to the ground, I don’t want to see that happen to the town I love and our precious Stanislaus Forest. I feel the location of this project – at the back of the center, rather than the large, half empty parking lot along the highway is shortsighted and potentially dangerous for a variety of reasons I elaborate on below.

My name is Lisa Kramer.

I am a full-time, nine-year resident of Arnold.

My home is directly behind the west end of the Meadowmont Center, where a Tesla Supercharger Station is currently under construction behind the center in the northwest corner, in clear line-of-sight from my home and those of my neighbors.

On behalf of the concerned residents of the Meadowmont Property Owners Association, we herein address our issues with the new Electric Vehicle Charging Station (EVCS) currently under construction at this location.

I am not opposed to a beneficial EVCS station in Arnold on this property.

If this EVCS was being in plain view of the public and travelers, with easy access on and off Highway 4, with ample and safe space away from a densely forested, quiet neighborhood with easy access for all vehicles, I would be applauding the effort.

Instead of cheerleading this vital and necessary “green” infrastructure addition to our community, I must address important potential risks.

The now under construction EVCS is hidden from view, in the back northwest corner of Meadowmont Center, not easily accessible and out of sight of drivers.

This is problematic as allowances for the EVCS permitting, site selection, and construction appears to be rushed, and any oversight or consideration to the neighboring community, environment, ingress and egress, and fire and security has been completely neglected as part of the EVCS ordinance and ministerial permitting process.

The potentiality of electric car fires is even more terrifying compounded by the tight quarters location of this EVCS.

There is only a narrow – barely – two-lane-wide road around the west end of the center, which is continuously used for deliveries to all of the businesses.

A collision at this ingress and egress point would block access to the EVCS.

In the winter, snow would create additional ingress and egress challenges.

24/7/365 access to the ECVS presents a multitude of security and vagrancy issues, including additional light and noise pollution.

But, are there plans for standard service station amenities such as trash, restroom facilities, vending, and air pumps?

Addressing these and other issues, especially the fire risks, is a priority the Board of Supervisors must immediately address on behalf of the Arnold community, as it is one of the Top 10 most at risk wildfire communities in California.

Residents and businesses must be diligent to mitigate fire risks, but an EVCS constructed without commonsense and necessary fire, safety and public works code compliance is unacceptable risk for our unique region.

I appreciate your consideration.
Respectfully,
Lisa Kramer