Residents in Bonita, Calif., are rallying to block a self-storage facility from being approved by the San Diego County Planning Commission. The project would comprise more than 133,000 square feet in 900-plus units, but community members believe it’s an ill fit for the area, which they describe as being similar to the fictitious town of “Mayberry.” Some residents have placed “Stop Bonita Storage” signs in their front yards, according to the source.

“It would be devastating to the community,” said resident Sharmane Estolano. “We have a little Montessori school behind us. We have a fire department. But outside of that, it’s just residential, with everybody having a half-acre lot. It’s putting a project that normally is found in an industrial community right smack in the middle of a very quiet community.”

Another resident, Jim Groth, contends there is “no [self-storage] demand, so there is no supply. However, development consultant Chris Brown, who’s working with the landowner, told the source, “There is not only a demand for it, but the general area is underserved.”

Estolano has consulted with a lawyer to examine legal options to block the project. “Bonita is the last rural community in the south county [area],” she told the source. “We are striving to keep that together.”

The county first received the application for a major-use permit in August 2016. The Sweetwater Community Planning Group, a community advisory organization, voted to recommend denying the project earlier this month. The proposal is under public review on environmental documents until Oct. 8. The planning commission isn’t expected to review the project until the end of the year or possibly the beginning of 2019, according to a statement from the county.

Source:
KGTV, Controversy Over Proposed Self-Storage Facility in Bonita