CHULA VISTA, Calif. -- A proposed peaker power plant is meeting opposition from many South Bay residents who said the plant is too close to homes and schools.

However, some have said adding the new plant could eventually lead to the dismantling of the South Bay Power Plant -- long considered an eyesore on Chula Vista's bayfront.

To many South Bay residents, the South Bay Power Plant is hardly the postcard image any city would want, especially on waterfront property.

Many want it torn down, and for that to happen the Otay Mesa Power Plant has to come online this fall, the Sunrise Powerlink has to be built and the city of Chula Vista has to find a few more energy sources, which is where a proposed peaker power plant in southwestern Chula Vista comes in.

The proposed plant would replace a smaller plant on the same piece of property.

"This plant, the MMC plant, would help with that but wouldn't be adequate by itself," said Chula Vista Assistant City Manager Scott Tulloch.

The new peaker power plant would generate 100 megawatts for Chula Vista, but the city might need upwards of 300 additional megawatts before closing the South Bay Power Plant -- which means the city might need more than one new peaker power plant.

"Frankly, it's largely because power needs keep going up higher and higher each year," said Tulloch.

Laura Hunter of the Environmental Health Coalition told 10News, "You can see here is where the current peaker plant is proposed right next to this R, meaning residential, this neighborhood."

The Environmental Health Coalition agrees the South Bay Power Plant needs to come down, but the group does not support this peaker plant and not the proposed location.

"It doesn't require a peaker plant here. It may require peakers within the region but they don't have to be near schools, near homes," said Hunter.

Environmentalists recommended more remote locations, like the nearby county landfill or other industrial areas where the plant would not impact people's health.

The city agreed there are other locations, but developers want to build a new one in the specified location.

The project could be a final step towards removing the image of the power plant from the city's postcard.

A final decision on the proposal will not be made by state authorities until next month.