A project that would more than triple the size of a Bird Rock house got the support of the La Jolla Community Planning Association, despite concerns from neighbors, at its meeting Oct. 2.
The proposal for 516 Forward St. aims to expand the existing home from about 1,075 square feet to 3,700 square feet.
The plan previously was to renovate the house under the so-called 50% rule, which exempts projects from needing a coastal development permit if they retain 50% of the original walls. However, the applicants said, one of the walls fell during rain while the project was in the renovation and excavation process, and the work no longer qualified for the 50% rule and needed a CDP.
Because the project was already in the construction phase when the wall fell, it is almost completely built.
The proposal had an initial hearing by the La Jolla Development Permit Review Committee on Aug. 12, when some speakers expressed concerns about the size and DPR trustees had a series of questions about the plans. However, the committee gave its support to the proposal the following week.
It went to a full Community Planning Association review this week amid concerns about the development’s bulk and scale and how it compares with its neighbors.
A rendering depicts a 3,700-square-foot expanded home project at 516 Forward St. in Bird Rock. (Screenshot by Ashley Mackin-Solomon)
In his presentation to LJCPA, applicant representative Federico Escobedo said the project is within allowable limits for floor area ratio (the size of a building in relation to its lot) and that “we are compliant with setbacks [and] … height limits” under local and city of San Diego building codes.
Nevertheless, La Jolla resident John Shannon said that while the project may comply on paper, “it tells a different story when you see it … next to the buildings that are on either side of it.”
After a few questions about whether certain features of the house could be pulled back to reduce the bulk and scale, a motion to recommend that the city approve the project’s permit passed with trustees Janette Williams, Patrick Ahern and Adrian Feral opposing without comment.
Other LJCPA news
Fall Festival: The lone item on the board’s consent agenda, which is approved without discussion or presentation, was approved. It calls for the closure of a portion of Draper Avenue for La Jolla Presbyterian Church’s Fall Festival, which is planned for 3 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29.
Banner district: The board was briefed on a proposal for a UC San Diego banner district. The program, which got the support of the La Jolla Shores Association on Sept. 17, would hang UCSD banners on light poles on several streets near the university, including throughout The Shores.
The banners would not be political, commercial or religious in nature but rather would focus on the university and “create a sense of place surrounding the community,” according to UCSD.
The item was presented to LJCPA for information only, and no vote was taken.
Next meeting: The La Jolla Community Planning Association next meets at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, at the La Jolla Recreation Center, 615 Prospect St. The agenda will be posted 72 hours in advance at lajollacpa.org. ♦