The new, 4,388-square-foot home will make use of an existing wall exemption to maintain a 35-foot setback from the bluff.

A project to replace one home with another on Calumet Avenue received recommendation for approval from the La Jolla Development Permit Review Committee April 21.

The proposal would partially demolish the existing one-story, 1,957-square-foot single dwelling unit at 5386 Calumet Ave and construct a new two-story, 4,388-square-foot single dwelling unit with an attached garage and associated site improvements on the 0.15-acre site.

On its second review, the project, led by applicant representative Carlos Wellman, addressed previous DPR questions about bluff setbacks on the site plan, floor-area ratio compliance, drainage and more.

The second floor bluff setback is 35 feet, Wellman said; the plans make use of an exemption to the current 40-foot setback requirements, allowed when more than 50% of the existing walls remain.

One of those remaining walls is a now-reinforced gunite wall near the bluff.

The setbacks are larger from the property line, Wellman explained; the current setback is measured from the bluff, which extends over the property line and was confirmed through a geologist survey.

Wellman also showed further drawings illustrating the 0.57 FAR is under the allowable 0.58, with the carport being open. 

For drainage, Wellman presented the drainage patterns with a six-foot storm drain easement and drainage with gutters flowing back to the street.

DPR trustees recommended approval with no opposition. The project now moves to the La Jolla Community Planning Association’s consent agenda for ratification.