Eastlake residents who fought a vehicle access road connecting a new self-storage facility to their neighborhood got their wish Tuesday, as the Chula Vista City Council signed off on a financing deal for the project after the developer agreed to eliminate the road.
The council voted 4-0 to complete a financing mechanism for the Eastlake Self Storage project, after the developer agreed to remove a previously approved access road connecting the facility to St. Germain Road following a July 14 meeting where the item was continued after resident pushback. Councilmember Jose Preciado was absent.
The council approved annexing the 9.35-acre, 1,200-unit storage project into Community Facilities District No. 97-2, adding it to existing Improvement Area “C” and creating a new Improvement Area “D” to fund long-term maintenance of wetland mitigation land. The action does not reconsider the project’s 2020 approval, city staff said.
Deputy Director of Development Services Rebecca Bridgeford told the council that since the July 14 hearing, the fire marshal determined a secondary access at St. Germain Road was not required, and the developer agreed to remove it. Revised plans without the connection were submitted to the city Aug. 4.
Mayor John McCann confirmed with Bridgeford that the St. Germain access had previously been approved only for emergency use, not as a full entrance, and asked whether any vehicle access would remain.
“There will be no access to the project location for the public or emergency vehicle,” Bridgeford said.
Councilmember Carolina Chavez, who represents District 1 where the project is located, thanked residents and the developer, and addressed reports that some residents received letters claiming the annexation would raise their taxes. Bridgeford said the special tax applies only to the property owner, not the public.
Six residents spoke during public comment, including several from St. Germain Road.
Joanne Jenkins, a homeowner there for more than 30 years, welcomed the change: “It is fabulous news to learn tonight that St. Germain will not be needed as an access to the storage facility.”
David Sullivan asked for written assurances that a planned fence separating the facility from the neighborhood would remain in place.
Scott Wyckoff, representing applicant UTEX Storage Partners, said the company purchased the property in fall 2025 and was not involved in the original entitlements but worked with the city after concerns arose. He said the only remaining access point on St. Germain Road is an existing gated SDG&E easement that will not change.
Wyckoff also said self-storage generates less traffic than other uses previously considered for the site, including multifamily housing, and that the facility would use fencing, access control and surveillance cameras for security. He also said customers found staying overnight would have their leases revoked.