Precedent in Other Clusters
Here we review various other instances of EV Charging stations installed in other clusters throughout Reston. It's worth pointing out that the specifics matter-- when chargers are located on HOA "common area" land (like in Whisperwood), the rules are different than when they exist on the homeowner's land but are still visible to the community.
Chargers proposed on homeowner's land are protected by Virginia Code § 55.1-1823.1A: "no association shall prohibit any lot owner from installing an electric vehicle charging station for the lot owner's personal use on property owned by the lot owner [... but they] may establish reasonable restrictions concerning the number, size, place, and manner of placement or installation".
Chargers proposed on HOA common area (which includes our parking spaces) are NOT protected by that same law-- Section B states the HOA "may prohibit or restrict the installation of electric vehicle charging stations on the common area within the development served by the association".
Cases equivalent to Whisperwood are shown in "Equivalent Cases" below.
Equivalent Cases
The installations shown below are in identical situations to Whisperwood, where there is an option to install in the grassy strip between the sidewalk and the pavement, or in the pavement of the parking spot itself. My contractor (Effortless Electric) recommended installation in the grassy strip to minimize disturbance to the pavement.
See the below examples, chosen mostly from within Reston's South Lakes area:
~2053 Swans Neck Way
Walden Cluster
In grassy strip, up against the curb. My proposed contractor.
2041 Swans Neck Way
Walden Cluster
In grassy strip, up against the curb. My proposed contractor.
11161 Lake Chapel Ln
Mallards Landing
In pavement of parking spot with two bollards. This is what Whisperwood's Section 13 used to specify.
11000 Thrush Ridge Rd
Lake Audubon Terrace West Cluster
In grassy strip, up against the curb. My proposed contractor.
11036 Thrush Ridge Rd
Lake Audubon Terrace West Cluster
In grassy strip, up against the curb. My proposed contractor.
11056 Thrush Ridge Rd
Lake Audubon Terrace West Cluster
In grassy strip, up against the curb. My proposed contractor.
11004 Thrush Ridge Rd
Lake Audubon Terrace West Cluster
In grassy strip, up against the curb. Neater wire-coiling would be required than this.
~2047 Chadds Ford Dr
Chadds Ford
In pavement of parking spot with two bollards. This is what Whisperwood's Section 13 used to specify.
2078 Lake Audubon Ct
The Shores
In grassy strip, up against curb. Shown with weather cover on.
1514 Park Glen Ct
Bentana Woods West
In the curb, extending into the parking space.
~1528 Park Glen Ct
Bentana Woods East
In the curb, extending into the parking space.
...and more elsewhere!
We have only included a few instances, mostly within the South Lakes area, but more exist!
"Similar, But Different" Cases
Below are additional examples of existing EV charger installations throughout Reston, as well as descriptions of why each of these are different than the situation would be in Whisperwood. See below:
11128 Glade Dr
The Wharf
Charger mounted to the outside of a building near a parking space, and crucially, does not cross a sidewalk. We have very few cases like this (11222/11205/11207/2090/2092).
1606 Park Overlook Dr
Bentana Woods East
Mounted in a mulched area adjacent to a parking space.
11011 Saffold Way
Hillcrest
Mounted on the house, with the cable draped across a sidewalk to the parking space... we're not sure how this got approved, and would NOT advocate for this. So messy!
~1510 Church Hill Place (A)
Hampton Point Condominium
Two-space Community EV charger, by Blink. These are an option, but more complex for the HOA and less desirable to EV owners. One of two.
~1510 Church Hill Place (B)
Hampton Point Condominium
Two-space Community EV charger, by Tesla. These are an option, but more complex for the HOA and less desirable to EV owners. Two of two.
1581 Brass Lantern Way
Lantern
Located on homeowner's property, outside the house, visible to neighbors.
1585 Brass Lantern Way
Lantern
Located on homeowner's property, outside the house, visible to neighbors.
2073 Cobblestone Ln
Old Westbury
Shared parking areas, homeowners own the land their parking space is on, but the HOA maintains the pavement.
2074 Cobblestone Ln
Old Westbury
Shared parking areas, homeowners own the land their parking space is on, but the HOA maintains the pavement.
2075 Cobblestone Ln
Old Westbury
Shared parking areas, homeowners own the land their parking space is on, but the HOA maintains the pavement.
2081 Cobblestone Ln
Old Westbury
Shared parking areas, homeowners own the land their parking space is on, but the HOA maintains the pavement.
2087+2089 Cobblestone Ln
Old Westbury
Shared parking areas, homeowners own the land their parking space is on, but the HOA maintains the pavement.
2083 Cobblestone Ln
Old Westbury
Shared parking areas, homeowners own the land their parking space is on, but the HOA maintains the pavement.
2082 Cobblestone Ln
Old Westbury
Shared parking areas, homeowners own the land their parking space is on, but the HOA maintains the pavement.
2091 Cobblestone Ln
Old Westbury
Shared parking areas, homeowners own the land their parking space is on, but the HOA maintains the pavement. In the bushes!
2098 Cobblestone Ln
Old Westbury
Shared parking areas, homeowners own the land their parking space is on, but the HOA maintains the pavement.
2101 Salt Kettle Way
Old Westbury
Shared parking areas, homeowners own the land their parking space is on, but the HOA maintains the pavement.
2124 Salt Kettle Way
Old Westbury
Shared parking areas, homeowners own the land their parking space is on, but the HOA maintains the pavement.
How can you tell what makes some different from Whisperwood?
The key factor determining the complexity of the paperwork involved is whether or not the installation site would be located on land owned by the HOA.
To provide the public with land records information, Fairfax County provides their Site Records Viewer, a web GIS tool, where you can see exactly who owns what. The tool is free to use and requires no registration!
Here's the difference state law (POAA, Code of Virginia § 55.1-1823.1) divides the situation into two distinct cases:
Section A: Gives the right of a property owner to install EV Chargers on their own property, provided they comply with any reasonable restrictions imposed by the HOA. Full original text:
Section B: Gives the right of an association (like the Whisperwood Cluster Association) to decide whether or not to allow homeowners to install EV Chargers on common area property (such as our parking spaces in Whisperwood). Therefore, the board can choose to allow it, with any manner of restrictions/specifications they deem appropriate, as well as flatly refusing to allow any such installations. Both are within their rights. Full original text: