The La Jolla Community Planning Association’s close vote came after several neighbors voiced opposition to perceived canyon damage.

On a close vote, the La Jolla Community Planning Association voted to agree with a committee decision to recommend the city of San Diego deny a project to add an accessory dwelling unit on a canyon in La Jolla Shores.

The proposal for 2734 Bordeaux Ave would add a one-bedroom, one-bathroom detached ADU at the existing single-family residence on a 0.91-acre site above Birch Aquarium. The ADU would measure 1,111 square feet on top of a basement.

Rendering by Island Architects

The La Jolla Shores Permit Review Committee voted 6-0-1 April 16 to recommend the project be denied, amid neighbor opposition and trustee concerns about environmental impact.

The project then moved to the May 7 LJCPA meeting, where applicant representatives Patrick Vercio and Tony Crisafi presented their proposal to trustees and more than a dozen neighbors reiterated their objections.

At issue for some is the perceived encroachment of the ADU’s construction into environmentally sensitive canyon land, though Vercio maintained work would happen within already-disturbed, previously-developed area under a brush management plan.

La Jolla architect Phil Merten argued that the project development extends into a required conservation easement, a claim several neighbors supported.

“We’re very much in favor of people getting the house they want,” neighbor Martha Hillyard said. “What we don’t want is people to encroach into the canyon and disturb the environment.”

“This whole area is in violation of its conservation easement,” adjacent neighbor Emma Farley said.

Crisafi disputed that the project violated any easement, pointing to a biologist’s analysis that confirmed the land had been disturbed by a previous development permit and could not be restored due to the presence of fill soil that would not support native brush. 

“There’s no violation,” he emphasized, adding the homeowners “want the canyon preserved.”

Neighbor Elaine Schneider worried the project’s execution would set a precedent.

“I’m just concerned that a project like this is going to be the thin edge of the wedge. It’ll be replicated all over the city, all over La Jolla,” she said. “It would be a huge mistake.”

LJCPA trustees remained split on project support.

“I’m really torn on this,” trustee Glen Rasmussen said. “I think that the architect has treated this with a great deal of sensitivity. Yet … I see that the development on this lot is sticking out quite a bit further than any of the other developments on the street.”

Trustee Tom Brady moved that LJCPA affirm the action from PRC to deny approval based on PRC’s reasoning the project would set a new precedent for encroachment into the canyon and that the proposed development is significantly out of character with the community.

The motion passed 8-6, with acting President Greg Jackson customarily abstaining.

LJCPA’s recommendation will be forwarded to city of San Diego officials.