Covina Battery Project Vote Pulled; Planning Panel Recommends Denial

Covina’s proposed battery-storage facility remains unresolved after the City Council pulled its scheduled July 7 vote and the Planning Commission recommended that the project be denied.

The Covina Reliability Project is proposed for 522, 534 and 680 Edna Place in northeast Covina. City documents describe a 110-megawatt battery energy-storage system on two sites totaling approximately 3.4 acres. The proposal would demolish two industrial buildings and requires approval of a site-plan review, conditional-use permit, variance and development agreement.

Planning Commission recommended denial

On June 30, the Planning Commission adopted Resolution 2026-016 PC, formally recommending that the City Council deny the project and its related land-use approvals.

The resolution cites concerns about whether the site is adequate for the proposed facility and the safety, parking, landscaping and other features required by city rules. It also identifies concerns about possible airborne pollutants and fire-related effects, emergency response planning, noise and impacts on neighboring properties, including nearby residences, parks and the Metrolink railway.

The commission’s findings say the application did not adequately address several operational standards, including a fire-safety compliance plan, an operation and maintenance manual, an emergency operations plan, a noise study and procedures for safely shutting down the system during emergency conditions.

The recommendation is not a final denial. The resolution states that the City Council is the decision-making body for the requested entitlements and proposed environmental determination.

What happened at City Council

The council was scheduled to consider the project on July 7, but the agenda item was pulled. LAist reported that Eduardo Lomeli, an associate planner for the city, said no new vote date had been set at the time of publication.

The City of Covina’s project page lists the June 30 Planning Commission recommendation as the latest project update reviewed for this article. The approved city records do not establish a later council decision or hearing date as of July 29, 2026.

Why the delay matters locally

The project is proposed in an area near residences and existing businesses. That proximity has made safety, noise, emergency access, property values and future land use central concerns for nearby residents and property owners.

Separate reporting by the LA Public Press described business relocations and anxiety among some East Edna Place operators before the project received a final city decision. Those reported moves and concerns show that the dispute is affecting how some business owners view the area, but they do not establish that the project caused verified declines in property values or business activity.

For Covina residents, the next meaningful development will be a new City Council agenda, hearing notice or formal action. Until then, the project should be treated as proposed, with a Planning Commission recommendation for denial but no confirmed final council decision.

Residents, nearby businesses and property owners can monitor Covina’s official agendas, minutes and project documents for any revised conditions, new hearing date or council action.

Sources

• City of Covina project page
• LAist: Community backlash in Covina
• LA Public Press: Covina battery project and East Edna Place businesses