Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Letter of Intent Regarding the IONNA Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Project at 6260 Westminster Boulevard.
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From: Adolfo Ozaeta, Assistant City Manager
Requested by: Administration
Prepared by: Carina Campos, Economic Development Manager
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
Authorize staff to issue a letter of intent confirming the City’s intent to work towards formalizing right-of-way maintenance agreements to facilitate the existing project at 6260 Westminster Boulevard.
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BACKGROUND
IONNA, a joint venture established by leading automotive manufacturers including BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and Toyota, is creating what they describe as North America’s premier charging network.
They are proposing to develop and operate a new IONNA Rechargery and the first IONNA Flagship site at 6260 Westminster Boulevard. IONNA is a tenant at this site and is ground leasing the property from 6260 Westminster Blvd., LLC.
The project will feature 11 Level 3 DC fast-charging stations and a 24/7 convenience store. The IONNA Westminster site will provide essential charging infrastructure for the growing electric vehicle community in Westminster and the region. This location will serve as a crucial link in IONNA’s expanding charging infrastructure, supporting both local EV drivers and travelers along Interstate 405.
The development review for the project was approved administratively on November 13, 2025. IONNA celebrated their groundbreaking on November 21, 2025. Construction for the 838 square-foot convenience store is underway and has undergone various building inspections. IONNA is concurrently working on obtaining other required permits for their buildout.
A crucial component to the development of the project includes the installation of drainage facilities, stormwater infrastructure and electrical infrastructure. The drainage facilities and stormwater infrastructure would ensure the project complies with stormwater management requirements and enable a stormwater connection from existing facilities. Electrical infrastructure improvements are needed to enable Southern California Edison (SCE) to serve the project’s EV charging stations with power.
The construction and/or installation of these improvements are within the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) right-of-way which require that IONNA obtain an encroachment permit. The improvements are located along Westminster Boulevard starting at a point that is east of Interstate 405 to Willow Lane along the northern frontage of the parcel at 6260 Westminster Boulevard. IONNA is working with both the City and Caltrans to obtain permits to perform the work.
As part of the Encroachment Permit requirements, Caltrans requested a formal maintenance agreement between the City and Caltrans. Upon completion of the project, the City would assume responsibility for the maintenance of the City’s storm drain facilities and electrical primary infrastructure within Caltrans right-of-way. However, the City’s commitment to enter into an agreement with Caltrans is contingent upon IONNA and the Property Owner entering into a separate agreement with the City to ensure the continued maintenance for IONNA’s facilities within Caltrans right-of-way. This would result in two agreements that would be placed on a future City Council Agenda for City Council consideration. They are as follows:
1. A maintenance agreement between the City and Caltrans; and
2. A maintenance agreement between the City and IONNA and the Property Owner.
While the City and all parties are negotiating in good faith and working diligently toward executing required agreements, time is of the essence.
Caltrans has agreed to accept a Letter of Intent confirming the City’s commitment to work collaboratively with Caltrans toward the execution of a formal maintenance agreement. City staff has obtained a Letter of Intent from the Property Owner confirming their commitment to work collaboratively with the City toward the execution of a separate agreement to ensure continued maintenance for IONNA’s facilities within Caltrans right-of-way.
Upon Caltrans receipt of the Letter of Intent from the City, Caltrans would issue IONNA with the encroachment permit associated with the stormwater infrastructure and electrical primary infrastructure. This would allow IONNA to begin crucial work required to meet SCE’s schedule to energize the project. Failure to meet SCE’s energization schedule would jeopardize IONNA’s construction timeline, potentially resulting in the project being deferred to the following year.
As part of the City’s commitment to encourage quality development through hands-on economic development efforts, staff has diligently worked with the developer to facilitate the project since the initial application was submitted. Staff has held various in-person meetings and phone calls to ensure the project moves forward in a timely manner.
Executing the Letters of Intent confirms the commitment between the City, Caltrans, IONNA, and the property owner to eventually execute formal maintenance agreements at a future City Council Agenda for City Council consideration.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with executing Letters of Intent because they are not agreements and do not establish legally binding obligations.
The City’s maintenance agreement with Caltrans is contingent on a separate agreement between the City and IONNA and the Property Owner that place the obligation for continued maintenance of IONNA’s facilities within Caltrans right-of-way on IONNA and the Property Owner.
The City currently holds a Performance Bond and Labor and Material Bond in the amount of four hundred fifty thousand dollars ($450,000). These bonds will be retained until the project is fully completed and all required agreements have been executed.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
Upon Caltrans receipt of the Letter of Intent from the City confirming their commitment to work towards a formal maintenance agreement, Caltrans would issue IONNA with the encroachment permit associated with the stormwater infrastructure and electrical infrastructure. This would allow IONNA to maintain its construction schedule and meet SCE’s schedule to energize the project. City staff has obtained a Letter of Intent from the Property Owner confirming their commitment to work collaboratively with the City toward the execution of a separate agreement to ensure continued maintenance for IONNA’s facilities within Caltrans right-of-way. City Staff will place the formal agreements on a future agenda for City Council consideration.
ATTACHMENTS
1. City Letter of Intent
2. Property Owner Letter of Intent
3. IONNA Site Plan
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
City Attorney’s Office
Christine Cordon, City Manager