After overcoming some big hurdles, the i’s are getting dotted and the t’s are getting crossed to move forward a long-planned project for a belvedere at La Jolla’s Windansea Beach.
In recent weeks, Friends of Windansea has worked out agreements and secured a permit to keep the project going and hopes to begin construction before fall.
The project would build an approximately 63-square-foot blufftop belvedere, or gazebo, on Neptune Place near Rosemont Street, as well as install about 1,800 feet of post-and-rope fencing along the sidewalk on the west side of Neptune between Westbourne Street and Palomar Avenue. It also authorizes relocation of two public benches and their concrete pads.
The whole project is to be funded by Friends of Windansea, which says the structure would replace a belvedere that was built in the 1920s and torn down in the 1980s in an apparent act of vandalism.
The La Jolla Parks & Beaches board voted during its May 26 meeting to sign a memorandum of understanding with the city of San Diego that “allocates responsibilities [for the structure] to Friends of Windansea,” along with an encroachment maintenance and removal agreement, “which has many of the same elements as the first agreement,” said LJP&B President Ann Dynes.
La Jolla Parks & Beaches has a financial account to hold funds for Windansea projects and can accept donations for the projects.
The memorandum of understanding states that if the structure needs to be replaced or repaired, Friends of Windansea will carry out that work. It includes a stipulation that a contact with Friends of Windansea be listed so the city or members of Parks & Beaches can reach someone should something happen to the structure or there are code compliance issues.
In the first week of June, the city granted Friends of Windansea a permit to construct the belvedere. Coupled with the MOU, Friends member Jim Neri said he thinks the city attorney is “real close” to signing the final agreements.
“The project is permitted, the belvedere is permitted, we just have to finish with the engineering department and the city attorney on the balance of the work,” Neri said. “We are close to the finish line there.”
Once all the documents are signed, the team will have a construction schedule and work will begin, Neri said.
“I’m hopeful we will be able to start work by Labor Day [Sept. 7],” he said. “We have the funding pledged for the belvedere construction, so that’s where we would start.”
Friends of Windansea announced in August 2023 that it had raised enough money to build the belvedere.
Once that is completed, work would begin on the fencing and other measures for erosion control, though more money is needed for that.
“I’m confident the people will come forward and give more,” Neri said. “Money hasn’t been a problem in the past, but we think about a million more [dollars] is needed. It might not cost that much, but we are using that number.”
He said the post-and-rope fencing is to be built in phases “so it doesn’t impact beach traffic.”
Donations for the project can be made through La Jolla Parks & Beaches at lajollaparksbeaches.org, with the money earmarked for the Windansea area. All donations are tax-deductible.
If “all goes well,” the work could be completed by Memorial Day, Neri said.
“Friends of Windansea is super excited to get this project going,” he said while thanking La Jolla Parks & Beaches for its support and participation in the agreement process. “It’s been a really valuable relationship for our entire community. We have been and always work together to make these improvements.”
The project has undergone several community reviews since 2018 and withstood appeals intended to slow or stop it.
The concept was approved by the La Jolla Development Permit Review Committee in 2018 and the Parks & Beaches board in 2020, with more detailed plans approved by the DPR in February 2021.
The La Jolla Community Planning Association supported the plan in April 2021.
In 2021, opponents of the belvedere formed the Preserve Windansea Beach Association, arguing that the structure would be atop an eroding bluff and could create public risk if the bluff or gazebo falls. The organization also contended the gazebo would obstruct ocean views and attract additional traffic.
The group filed appeals with the San Diego City Council, a San Diego hearing officer and the San Diego Planning Commission, all of which were denied.
In 2023, an appeal filed with the California Coastal Commission also was denied. ♦