Why this matters
Bonita residents say a proposed self-storage facility would take over a beloved recreational space.
A proposed self-storage facility will move forward in South County’s Bonita neighborhood.
County supervisors denied an appeal from community members challenging the project, saying that despite opposition the developer has included resident input and met permit requirements.
The facility has been in the works for about five years and will include more than 1,000 storage units on land that residents say they use now as recreational space.
The county’s Planning Commission first approved the project in a split vote at a December meeting, prompting the Sweetwater Community Planning Group to file an appeal.
The group argued that the project failed to prioritize the neighborhood character and is not in line with the community plan’s guidelines.
County staff had recommended the board reject the appeal.
Community members submitted letters ahead of the meeting, pleading with supervisors to postpone the vote while the area remains without a representative on the board. Most public speakers at the meeting were long-time residents asking officials to consider how the facility would disrupt the property’s natural space.
Those associated with the planning group also held signs that said “Stop self-storage in Bonita.”
“There are hiking trails, biking trails. It’s the Balboa Park of South Bay. Don’t screw us over,” group member Patty O’Mara said at the meeting.
The area was represented by Nora Vargas, who abruptly resigned in December despite winning re-election a month prior.
“Failure to postpone your vote deprives Bonitans of the right to representation, and exposes the County to potential legal challenges,” wrote Jeff Phair, one of the original developers for the Eastlake community in East Chula Vista.
Phair also said that over 200 letters opposing the development were sent to Vargas, but since her resignation “we don’t know what happened to those letters of opposition.”
But members associated with the local Western States Carpenters chapter spoke in support of the project, saying it would create opportunities for trade workers.
The developer, Insite Property Group, can now move forward with the project on Quarry Road, near state routes 125 and 54.
Project members shared at the meeting that they were proud of the long outreach process that allowed them to be as detailed as possible with the design.
The project went through multiple designs, including a modern take and another option that attempted to replicate the “equestrian style” used in Bonita retail areas.
“This project team is extremely proud of that community outreach that has resulted in substantive changes to the project design,” said Victor Aviña, a representative with the project team. “This project is better because of that input.”
The three supervisors who attended the meeting voted unanimously against the appeal. Supervisor Jim Desmond was absent.
District 1 — which includes South County and other parts, including some city of San Diego neighborhoods — remains vacant.
A special election that could cost taxpayers as much as $6 million will fill the seat. Initial returns from the primary Tuesday show Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre and Chula Vista Mayor John McCann headed to a runoff in July.
Type of Content
News: Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
