By Izabella Salinas

Eastvale– Eastvale resident, James Sinnema, started a petition on the website Change.org to bring residents together who share the same concerns for a proposed project in their neighborhood.

In November of last year, the building of a self-storage facility was proposed to the City Council. The property is located east of Hellman Avenue and north of Walters Street. The family owned company proposed a zone change of the land to become commercial.

Many residents were angered by this possible project because it would be located in a residential area near a school.

“A commercial use will not fit with the character of the surrounding uses,” said James Sinnema in their Change.org statement.

The resident does not believe that this two-story storage building would be visually compatible with the surrounding area. Sinnema also expressed concerns with the storage facility leaving land only big enough for a small business to be built.

“As I’ve shared with Mr. Gossett, it seems if the Council were to grant approval for the storage facility and it is constructed, then the remainder parcel would only work for a convenience store such as 7-11,” said Sinnema.

Sinnema and other residents believe that would increase the crime rate in the area.

“As an employee of a local Police Department, I can’t begin to tell anyone the type of calls for service we get from these types of locations. We are only setting up our neighborhood up for failure. Crime rates will rise (thefts, graffiti, break-ins) traffic will increase and our home values will go down,” commented Kristen Kannard.

Over 600 residents have signed the petition.

The public hearing for the possible development will take place on Jan. 23 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.