La Jolla has many local organizations that help guide community life by reviewing proposals, making recommendations and/or implementing local projects. Most are known for their “alphabet soup” abbreviations.
Here’s a guide to them:
La Jolla Community Planning Association (LJCPA)
Purpose: The official community advisory group to the city of San Diego is tasked with making recommendations to the City Council, Planning Commission, staff and other government agencies on land-use matters, specifically concerning preparation, adoption, implementation and amendments related to the city General Plan or the La Jolla Community Plan.
Meeting time: 6 p.m. the first Thursday of each month
Meeting location: La Jolla Recreation Center, 615 Prospect St.
Information: lajollacpa.org
The La Jolla Community Planning Association meets at the Recreation Center. (Ashley Mackin-Solomon)
La Jolla Planned District Ordinance Committee (PDO)
Purpose: The committee of LJCPA reviews development applications related to the La Jolla Planned District Ordinance, ensuring standards are adhered to for colors, building materials, signs, facades, renovations, zoning and parking requirements. Its recommendations are forwarded to LJCPA for ratification or additional review.
Meeting time: 4 p.m. the second Monday of each month
Meeting location: La Jolla Recreation Center, 615 Prospect St.
Information: lajollacpa.org
La Jolla Development Permit Review Committee (DPR)
Purpose: The committee of LJCPA reviews all applications for discretionary permits in La Jolla, outside of the La Jolla Shores Planned District, reviews projects for conformance with the La Jolla Community Plan and makes findings relative to the San Diego Land Development Code. Its recommendations are forwarded to LJCPA for ratification or additional review.
Meeting time: 4 p.m. the second and third Tuesdays of each month
Meeting location: online, with the Zoom link available on the agenda
Information: lajollacpa.org
La Jolla Shores Permit Review Committee (PRC)
Purpose: The committee of LJCPA reviews development projects in the La Jolla Shores Planned District. Its recommendations are forwarded to LJCPA for ratification or additional review.
Meeting time: 4 p.m. the third Thursday of each month
Meeting location: online, with the Zoom link available on the agenda
Information: lajollacpa.org
La Jolla Traffic & Transportation Board (T&T)
Purpose: The joint committee composed of members of LJCPA, La Jolla Town Council, La Jolla Shores Association, La Jolla Village Merchants Association and Bird Rock Community Council considers all proposals affecting La Jolla’s streets, including striping, stop signs, traffic calming, curb colors, valet service and parking limits. T&T also hears proposals for special events requiring traffic control or affecting on-street parking. Its recommendations are forwarded to LJCPA for ratification or additional review.
Meeting time: 4 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month
Meeting location: La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave.
Information: lajollacpa.org
La Jolla Shores Planned District Advisory Board (PDAB)
Purpose: The board reviews all permit applications referred to it and submits its recommendations or comments to the San Diego planning director. The board also can recommend changes to regulations to the city Planning Commission. Board members are appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the City Council.
Meeting time: 11 a.m. the third Monday of each month
Meeting location: La Jolla Recreation Center, 615 Prospect St.
Information: bit.ly/shorespdo
La Jolla Village Merchants Association (LJVMA)
Purpose: The association represents the interests of all licensed businesses in a 30-block area of La Jolla’s Village. The group, which has a board and committees, aims to enhance the business community and raise funds through events.
Meeting time: 4 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month
Meeting location: La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave.
Information: lajollabythesea.com
La Jolla Shores Association (LJSA)
Purpose: The association addresses issues related to the La Jolla Shores area and represents the community’s interests to other organizations, including local and state government agencies.
Meeting time: 6 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month
Meeting location: Martin Johnson House on the Scripps Institution of Oceanography campus, 8840 Biological Grade
Information: lajollashoresassociation.org
Bird Rock Community Council (BRCC)
Purpose: The group aims to enhance the growth and improvement of the Bird Rock neighborhood, including administering the Bird Rock Maintenance Assessment District, maintaining roundabouts, boosting cultural, charitable and community service activities, promoting business improvement and more.
Meeting time: 6 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month
Meeting location: Bird Rock Elementary School or Bird Rock businesses
Information: birdrockcc.org
La Jolla Town Council (LJTC)
Purpose: The Town Council serves as an unofficial liaison with the city on matters of land-use planning, beautification, traffic, parks, beaches, crime and more. It also presents forums on relevant topics.
Meeting time: 6 p.m. the second Thursday of each month
Meeting location: La Jolla Recreation Center, 615 Prospect St., with optional virtual participation
Information: lajollatowncouncil.org
La Jolla Parks & Beaches (LJP&B)
Purpose: The nonprofit advises the city on issues pertaining to beaches and coastal parks and oversees fundraising and implementation of park and shoreline beautification projects.
Meeting time: 4 p.m. the fourth Monday of each month
Meeting location: La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave.
Information: lajollaparksandbeaches.org
La Jolla Community Recreation Group (CRG)
Purpose: The advisory board provides local oversight of the La Jolla Recreation Center and its programs and activities.
Meeting time: 5 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of each month
Meeting location: La Jolla Recreation Center, 615 Prospect St.
Information: (858) 552-1658
Enhance La Jolla
Purpose: The nonprofit is responsible for administering the Village Maintenance Assessment District and has authority to enhance services provided by the city, including landscape maintenance, street and sidewalk cleaning, litter and graffiti abatement and additional trash collection. It also can raise private donations to fund and complete projects in public spaces, such as park and trash can upgrades, bench installation, sign augmentation, public art and trees.
Meeting time: 4 p.m. quarterly on the third Thursday of the month or as needed
Meeting location: Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, 700 Prospect St.
Information: enhancelajolla.org ♦