A city of San Diego hearing officer approved three La Jolla home projects during a March 25 review — two in La Jolla Shores and one in the nearby La Jolla Heights neighborhood.
After a lengthy discussion, hearing officer Antoinette Gibbs approved a project at 1720 Torrey Pines Road that was the subject of a code enforcement complaint.
The proposal would partially demolish a one-story, 3,574-square-foot house and build a 10,691-square-foot addition, resulting in a two-story, 14,265-square-foot house with an attached garage over a basement.
In February 2024, the project proceeded to community reviews and later that year got support from La Jolla planning groups.
At the time, applicant representative Claude Anthony Marengo said the development would not be visible from Torrey Pines Road, given that the property is below street level.
Aesthetically, he said, the house would be of “Japanese style” with wood and garden spaces.
City planner Karen Bucey said at the hearing officer meeting that in August, the city received and investigated a complaint of unpermitted activity onsite. She said parts of the property were demolished and graded before approval was issued. The city issued two stop-work orders and a civil penalty notice soon after.
The proposal was reopened to address the unpermitted activity, and the city completed its review.
Now, Bucey said, “the project conforms to all applicable development regulations, observes a 50-foot coastal setback where 40 feet is required, observes an existing private view easement … and the building is situated to the right of that site and is outside of the private view easement.”
She added that hearing officer approval would resolve the enforcement case.
During public comments, Eve Mazzarella said neighbors had concerns about the process for getting the project approved and whether the view and parking easements are actually being observed.
“Based on the illegal grading that was done, we want to have oversight … to make sure everything is consistent with what we expect to be approved today,” Mazzarella said. “We want to make sure these are not going to be a problem going forward.”
Marengo acknowledged that the unpermitted grading was “wrong” but said multiple permits were under review at once and expected to be approved. Work proceeded on less than 50% of the house under what is known as the “50% rule” during a period of favorable weather, he said.
“When we got delayed … that put us in a bad situation and that brought the city out,” Marengo said.
When construction resumes, he added, “we plan to respect everything we can in terms of the access and the easement.”
Other projects
Woodford Drive: A residential project proposed for a vacant lot west of and adjacent to 2975 Woodford Drive also was approved.
The plan would demolish a tennis court and build a two-story, 6,562-square-foot house with an attached garage and a two-story, 967-square-foot detached accessory dwelling unit.
City staff member Hector Rios said the project did not go before the La Jolla Community Planning Association but that the La Jolla Shores Planned District Advisory Board voted 5-0 to oppose the plan because of its size and what the board viewed as “non-compliance with the neighborhood character.”
“Staff reviewed the advisory board comments and determined the project is under the allowable FAR [floor area ratio, or size of a building in relation to its lot] and blends into the neighborhood character by utilizing offsetting planes, articulation, a stepped-back second story with a balcony and material changes to break up the massing and provide visual relief,” Rios said.
Rios acknowledged that the project is larger than surrounding houses but said it also is stepped back more than nearby houses.
In approving the plan, Gibbs said it creates a “harmonious relationship with the surrounding area” in size and architectural style.
Montoro Estates: Another project was approved on the consent agenda, meaning there was no presentation or discussion.
The project, dubbed Montoro Estates, would build a two-story, 9,480-square-foot house with a walkout basement, pool, spa and main- and lower-level garages on an empty lot at 2545 Ruette Nice.
The decisions of the hearing officer are final unless appealed to the city Planning Commission. ♦