A proposed battery storage facility (pictured above) on a vacant La Mesa lot is getting some negative feedback.

If the project goes through, the site would store renewable energy to back the grid that falls under the management of the California Independent System Operator.

The 8,000-square-foot vacant lot at 8135 El Paso Street is surrounded by a strip mall on one side and residences on the other.

When asked to comment on the matter, La Mesa City Community Development Department staff noted, “The project is currently under review by staff for a Site Development Plan and Urban Design Review. Once the project is determined to be complete, the project will be scheduled for design review by the Design Review Board, and the Site Development will be posted to the City Webpage for the “Notice of Decision” at: cityoflamesa.us/1672/Projects-Under-Review. The Notice of Decision will be posted for five calendar days for public review and comment. A determination will be made after the review period ends, and can be appealed to the Planning Commission within 10 days after the determination. Since the project has not been determined to be complete, the project has not been scheduled for any postings or meetings at this time.”

According to staff, “The City of La Mesa has received feedback about the project proposal from residents. Some residents have voiced their concerns for the project and others are reaching out to gain a better understanding of the project proposal.”

Some residents surprised by proposal

Some residents in the area noted they were more than a little surprised by this proposal.

Amy Reichert lives .2 miles from the proposed facility and said she was not happy with the plans.

“The City of La Mesa and the private corporation behind the proposed battery storage unit blindsided us completely,” Reichert stated. “One morning, as I walked past the vacant lot at 8135 El Paso, I noticed a small public notice that offered no other details except that the city planned to vacate the land. Curiosity led me to reach out to the city engineer, who confirmed my concern for my neighborhood: the land was slated for a battery storage facility. I asked to see the plans, but was directed to the planning department.”

As Reichert went on to note, “When I called the planning department, I was informed that the plans were not available online or by email due to some vague legal reasons, and that I would have to make an appointment to see them. So I took time off from my full-time job to view the plans in person, and what I saw left me shocked and appalled.”

According to Reichert, the proposed facility is just a stone’s throw away from a residential neighborhood and is expected to produce an unbearable 75 decibels of noise. “That’s equivalent to the sound of a busy highway, and no amount if sound walls can contain it.” Reichert believes the noise pollution from this facility will be heard for miles around, wreaking havoc on the lives of La Mesa residents.

“By springing this project on us with no notice or transparency, the City of La Mesa and the private corporation behind it have shown a complete disregard for the well-being and quality of life of the people who call this area home. We will not stand idly by and let them bulldoze over our community’s health and safety for the sake of their profit margins.”

Concerns for local customers and tenants in one nearby shopping center

Andrew Goria is an electrical engineer and part owner of a family-owned strip mall building in the area.

“My parents bought the small shopping center at 6062 Lake Murray Boulevard 15 years ago and we care about the neighborhood and our tenants, they are good people. We are concerned about a batter storage facility impacting our local customers and impacting our tenants and, their ability to do business. We are also concerned about safety hazards.”

As Goria sees it, the proposed battery facility noise pollution will affect La Mesa locals experience at the shopping center.

“Tenants are all small businesses that need to be supported to thrive, not placed in situations where it is more challenging to attract customers,” Goria commented. “These small businesses such as restaurants, lounges, salon, and gym, customers to these types of businesses expect a non noise polluted atmosphere. Very likely locals will choose to shop elsewhere to avoid the industrial facility noise. This may cause our small business tenants to have rent payment challenge in the short term, or even experience failure.”

At the end of the day, Goria believes the battery facility will impact the property’s value in a negative manner.

“Rent command, property value, tenant business selection will be affected,” Goria stated. “Building structures may need to be retrofitted to block noise they weren’t designed to be nearby. Lastly, insurance rates will likely increase if still offered.”

Gisele Abou Chacra is another resident like Reichert within very close distance of the proposed battery storage facility. Chacra, who has lived in the area for more than three decades, resides just feet from the proposed facility.

“Just a few steps from my backyard,” Chacra remarked. “I am concerned about the fire risk and I have lived in my house for 35 years,” Chacra noted.

Chacra made a statement to La Mesa City Council in late February. Among her comments were:

“I am worried because I fear we are on the first irreversible step in a utility style battery project that could have serious environmental & quality of life impacts on the surrounding community and neighborhood. I have to wonder if this project was reviewed and studied pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act by the City of La Mesa and/or any other agency. Where is the record of the permits issued? Where are the environmental impact reports? How was this qualified as a community commercial development when its function seems so different from that? After all, this isn’t a restaurant, small gym or clothing store. It’s an electric power storage & generation facility.”

For resident Justine Mancuso, she said her residence will be directly impacted, given it overlooks the now vacant property.

“As a La Mesa resident for 25 years and a homeowner for 19, I am disappointed in the city’s lack of transparency with project development,” Mancuso stated. “With this particular project, we have little to no information on its impact on our our health and safety.”

La Mesa resident John Maxwell noted, “We used to protect communities. Despite local interests, international climate policies are being implemented in our neighborhoods. Counter to their claims to provide a clean environment, activist politicians and corporations are establishing infrastructure such as this battery storage facility without regard to the safety concerns of the residents of our community.”

Company leading proposed project says it has overall support from residents

James Beach, managing partner at EnerSmart in Solana Beach, the company leading the proposed project, said, “We have received support from all residents and businesses in the area thus far, other than one of four homeowners who are adjacent to the site, and one other neighbor/activist who lives about 1,000 feet away.”

According to Beach, the company has reached out to both (as well as the other homeowners) to provide them with the facts about the project, the lack of emissions, noise and fire control solutions, and the aesthetic measures EnerSmart is taking to make sure the project looks attractive from both the street and from their backyards.

“Our goals are to make sure they understand the actual facts about the project, and to address any concerns they might have,” Beach continued.

When asked about any timetable to begin construction, Beach said June was the expected date and completion of the project was targeted for Q1 of 2024.

(Courtesy images)