A La Jolla Shores house on Vallecitos Court is set for a major expansion after a San Diego hearing officer approved a remodel and additions on Wednesday, Nov. 4.
The project at 2486 Vallecitos Court will transform the existing two-story home into a 6,769-square-foot residence over a 3,610-square-foot basement, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. Two detached structures will also be built on the roughly 22,215-square-foot lot: a 701-square-foot gym and a two-story, 1,096-square-foot accessory dwelling unit.
The sources differ on the home's current size. The Union-Tribune described it as 4,433 square feet. Meeting minutes from the La Jolla Shores Planned District Advisory Board (LJSPDAB) listed the existing residence at 4,905 square feet with five bedrooms and four bathrooms. The expanded home would have six bedrooms and 6.5 bathrooms, according to the board minutes.
Hearing officer Antoinette Gibbs placed the item on the meeting's consent agenda. There was no presentation or discussion before she approved it. Her decision is final unless appealed to the San Diego Planning Commission.
The approval followed strong community board support. The La Jolla Community Planning Association (LJCPA) voted 15-0-1 on March 5 to recommend the city approve the project, according to the Union-Tribune. The lone abstention came from LJCPA president Lisa Kriedeman.
The LJSPDAB followed on March 18 with a unanimous 6-0 vote to recommend approval of both a Site Development Permit and a Coastal Development Permit. Board member Lazerow made the motion, and Chair Potter seconded it.
No one spoke during public comment.
Board members commended the home's design and confirmed the project does not exceed the 30-foot height limit of the existing home, according to the LJSPDAB minutes. They also noted the finished property would have three accessory structures.
Claude Anthony Marengo of Marengo Morton Architects presented the project to the advisory board.
A city staff report found the development aligned with the La Jolla Community Plan and "within the general conformity of the homes in the neighboring area," the Union-Tribune reported.
The project site sits within what San Diego has designated a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. The property is more than 100 feet from native or naturalized vegetation, according to the Union-Tribune.
Residents who wish to challenge the approval may appeal to the San Diego Planning Commission.
