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Covina residents urge planning commission to address proposed battery storage project
Summary
Residents at the April 20 Covina Planning Commission meeting urged the commission to act on a proposed battery energy storage project (referred to in the transcript as “BES”), citing environmental and safety concerns, a lack of transparency and requests for town halls; staff said the item is not yet scheduled and would be noticed if it becomes a public hearing.
Public commenters on April 20 told the Covina Planning Commission they are worried about a proposed battery energy storage project that several speakers said would be sited near homes, schools and businesses and could pose environmental and safety risks.
"I'm here because I heard about this project that's been on the works regarding BES, the battery center, which brought some concerns to our neighborhoods," said Rosa Alles, a Covina resident who said it was her first time attending the commission. She asked what the commission is doing to stop the project and how the community can support any actions.
Dr. Brie Serrano, who identified herself and said she was speaking for herself, criticized the tone of a prior meeting in which she said a commissioner interrupted a resident and an assistant city attorney suggested comments be kept "within the purview" of the planning commission. Serrano called that discouraging and asked for clarification when the assistant city attorney returns.
Another commenter, who identified only as Lee, tied local opposition to a broader statewide backlash against large battery projects and urged the commission to hold town halls and listen to residents before approving any project. Lee referenced local reporting and named an "Edna Place" proposal that residents have raised as an example of where advocacy and further scrutiny are needed.
A staff member responded that the commission cannot engage in back‑and‑forth during public comment and that if the project becomes an advertised public hearing it will be noticed and placed on a future agenda. The chair reiterated that the commission may not act on items that are not on the agenda and that speakers should submit comments when the item is formally scheduled.
The public comments did not result in any formal action by the commission at the meeting. Commissioners thanked speakers for coming and said staff collects public input to inform future agenda items.
What's next: staff said the project is not currently scheduled; it would appear on a future agenda if the city makes it an advertised public hearing, at which point the commission and the public would have an opportunity for a formal hearing and deliberation.
