The City of San Juan Capistrano is a historical treasure and needs our protection from becoming another industrial-blighted city. This facility is proposed to be located in a natural area dedicated to Open Space, farming, small business and residences. This natural ravine/valley is within the city limits. It offers public trails to visitors, hikers, bikers, and residents and provides native wildlife with native vegetation and acres of space.
Tourism is an important source of income for the State of California and certainly the lifeblood of San Juan Capistrano. This city is known by every child in our State, its history and current importance to tourism is acknowledged. Once the average tourist to Southern California wearies of theme parks, a visit to a historic site still in use for religious observances and provides informed tours of life at a Mission in 1776 is welcome. City of SJC.
We cannot introduce 1100 galvanized steel containers, 12+ acres of concrete pad and spoil one of the main entrances to this city. This facility would be just up the street from the Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano and in full view of the tourists and residents enjoying the public trails.
The State suffered so much from the COVID restrictions. Tourism was almost stopped dead. Tourism is vital to California and particularly this city. This facility would be such an eyesore. We don’t need to let Compass dictate to San Juan Capistrano that the best use of that land is a 12+ acre Lithium battery storage facility. It is not.
Tourism provides many minimally skilled jobs. These entry positions educate inexperienced workers in how to behave professionally, communicate, operate computers and machinery, provide meals and make people happy. It employs young, old, disabled, senior, and immigrant populations with jobs and gives them the self-respect they earn through good steady employment. Tourism is vitally important.
Would Engie agree to a storage battery facility under the Eiffel Tower? That is close to power lines and would provide electricity to the residents of Paris. Of course not. It is a hideous thing.
Please protect the tourism income for this city.
