Community members are raising safety and environmental issues about a construction effort that has stretched nearly a decade.

Construction teams started work this spring on a 120,000-square-foot self-storage site in east Chula Vista.

Neighbors have now begun to object strongly.

The location sits near State Route 125 and Eastlake Drive beside a stretch of single-family houses. The former open space, which residents noted hosted coyotes and other wildlife, has turned into bare ground filled with building machinery.

The storage plan advanced after city leaders rezoned the land for commercial purposes in 2020.

Dozens of residents voiced worries at a recent City Council session when members prepared to act on tax districts connected to the development.

People criticized the project layout, the city notification steps, construction effects on the environment and other points. Neighbors, including some who brought young children to highlight the family presence, rose in support during speeches.

They also opposed the developer plan for an emergency access road tying into Saint Germain Road, a residential street.

Daniella Castillo, who grew up nearby, warned that the route would threaten neighborhood safety.

Most residents have raised families along the street over the past 20 years, Castillo noted, adding fears that the road could raise crash risks.

Amanda Alba, who lives on Saint Germain, shared the view.

How could anyone see value in routing a road through a cul-de-sac for a commercial project, she asked.

Mayor John McCann stated that staff reviewed the matter with developer UTEX Storage Partners and concluded the emergency road was unnecessary. UTEX indicated willingness to drop the route, McCann added.

Scott Wyckoff, managing principal at UTEX, confirmed the road will not be built. Company staff also held a community meeting earlier this week, he said.

Wyckoff noted UTEX acquired the project in 2025 from prior owner Floit Properties, which had worked for years on environmental permits.

Besides dropping the emergency route, no other major changes are expected, he said. The plan still calls for a turn lane on Eastlake Boulevard.

Crews are erecting nearly 1,300 storage units in two three-story buildings plus space for boats and RVs. The nine-acre parcel had remained open space, with council members rejecting a housing idea there in 2014.

Residents reported no updates after 2020 approval until construction began in May. A city spokesperson noted outreach occurred during planning in 2017 and hearings in 2020.

Cynthia Garcia, whose home borders the site, said she dislikes the work due to safety concerns for the area and her property. The city has lacked transparency, she added.

She hopes to join neighbors in seeking a full construction halt.

Alba said residents had considered hiring legal help and a traffic engineer but felt heard after a meeting attended by McCann.

She plans to keep attending council sessions to ensure follow-through.

The council postponed action on the tax district and will revisit it at the Aug. 11 meeting, where a UTEX representative is expected.