An application filed with the city of San Diego for a project on residential property that could further change the appearance of an ever-evolving section of Rosemont Street in La Jolla will not be required to go before local planning groups for review.
The city recently issued a “notice of future decision” on the project, indicating that Development Services Department staff will make the decision to approve, modify or deny it.
The application proposes to demolish a 4,990-square-foot house, an accessory dwelling unit and a detached garage and build five detached two-story units of 1,873 square feet each on five existing lots collectively located at 258 Rosemont St. The site is just over 12,000 square feet.
An application proposes to demolish existing residential structures and build five detached two-story units of 1,873 square feet each on five existing lots collectively located at 258 Rosemont St. in La Jolla. (Bing Maps and La Jolla Light)
The applicant team, represented by permit processor Tim Seaman, did not immediately respond to the La Jolla Light’s request for more information about the development. The block currently has some multi-family housing but is predominantly single-family houses of varying styles and sizes.
The city recommends that the team present to La Jolla planning groups because of the nature of the project, but it is not required.
The city has various levels of review known as processes, ranging from Process 1 to Process 5 based on the size and potential impact of a project.
“Typically, projects that fall under Process 1, 2 or 3 take less time and cost less money than projects that fall under Process 4 or Process 5,” according to the Development Services Department.
Process 1 projects might include construction permits that can be administered over the counter. Process 5 projects would have a much larger impact and may require a vote by the San Diego City Council.
Process 2 projects — which call for a coastal development permit, neighborhood development permit and/or neighborhood use permit — undergo a staff review and decision.
A notice of future decision is issued as a way to notify those who might be affected that the project is under review and what the next steps may be. The notice states the “decision by city staff will be made without a public hearing,” but city spokesman Richard Berg said “city staff does recommend applicants present projects to the applicable community planning group.”
The city staff’s decision can be appealed to the San Diego Planning Commission.
Other types of notification include a “notice of application” when an application is filed and a “notice of public hearing” when there will be a review by a city hearing officer that the public can comment on. ♦