The efforts of a working group formed under the auspices of the La Jolla Community Planning Association proved fruitful this week when the La Jolla Parks & Beaches board voted unanimously to support a revised plan for a new pocket park tucked in a hidden corner of La Jolla.
Haley Duke of La Jolla-based Island Architects presented the board Oct. 28 with a refined concept for the small park, which is being developed as part of a project to build a 4,494-square-foot house on a vacant lot at 1510 Soledad Ave., just east of Cowrie Avenue.
The applicant team planned to set aside some of the lot for public use, but questions were raised at various La Jolla community planning meetings in recent months about things such as the extent that the space would be developed and who would maintain it.
A new 4,494-square-foot two-story house with an attached accessory dwelling unit is proposed for a vacant lot at 1510 Soledad Ave. in La Jolla. A pocket park also is planned to be set aside for public use. (Bing Maps and La Jolla Light)
The project proposes that the city of San Diego vacate a section of Soledad Avenue that was originally intended for street purposes and allow the lot to be developed with the new two-story house, a 1,205-square-foot basement and an attached 780-square-foot two-story accessory dwelling unit.
In a street vacation, the city agrees to relinquish a public right of way or public service easement to an adjacent property owner or owners.
On Sept. 30, the LJP&B board voted not to support the vacation of the right of way and requested that the project be returned to the La Jolla Development Permit Review Committee for more review and that the applicant consider redesigning the proposal.
On Oct. 2, the Community Planning Association decided to form the working group to meet with the architects and neighbors to see if a viable solution could be reached.
The plans were fine-tuned, details were confirmed and questions were answered.
Of the land that would be vacated, about 2,100 square feet would be set aside for public use with landscaping and benches, Duke said at the Oct. 28 LJP&B meeting. It would provide a place “for the public to step off the road if they are walking their dog or gather or rest, whatever use they need,” she said.
To make it clear the space is for public use, a wall, fence and hedge would separate the public area from the private area, Duke said. There also would be signs stating the rules of use, consistent with city signs at other parks. Island Architects would develop and maintain the park.
“We think it’s a win-win,” Duke said.
Participants in the working group said they were happy with the design.
“I love it,” said LJP&B member Melinda Merryweather. “I think it’s amazing … and a wonderful gift.”
Neighbor Jim Mittermiller, who previously had argued for the property to be a public park instead of being developed for a house, also endorsed the latest plan.
“In my perfect world, I would have the entire public property vacated and a park built, but I recognize the limitations [on that],” he said. He called the current concept “a pretty good outcome.” ♦