Despite a considerable turnout from opponents of the proposed Bird Rock Station, the City of San Diego Planning Commission voted 4-0 in favor of the mixed-use project that has retail space below two levels of residential units at 5702 La Jolla Blvd.
City of San Diego Planning Commissioner Dennis Otsuji said the Bird Rock Station project’s design was future-forward, something the area needs. If the project adhered to the area’s PDO, which requires two stories and a 30-foot height limit, Otsuji said the project would conform to other buildings but would look like a box.
“Most of the buildings come up to the sidewalk and there’s no difference [between them], and that’s what this project is trying to accomplish,” Otsuji said. “They’ve opened it up for a lot of public space and landscaping “¦ I will be supporting this project.”
After years of countering the project called Bird Rock Station, residents who organized the No Third Story.org group issued a press release saying, “On Thursday, July 17th the San Diego City Planning Commission made history, approving the first three-story project in Zone 4 since our PDO was enacted 20 years ago.”
Planning Commissioner and former La Jolla Community Planning Association President Tim Golba said that although he recused himself, he watched many residents speak in favor of the project.
“I encourage you to give the project your full support,” said Bird Rock Resident Dan Lynn during the Planning Commission’s July 17 meeting. “Three stories will give 20 parking spaces back to the community.”
Michael Krambs, the project’s property owner, brought new designs to community meetings with architect Mark Lyon. But neither would acquiesce regarding the third-story concept, causing some residents to reject their ideas. Krambs told commissioners he wanted to keep Bird Rock’s village atmosphere, regardless of the project’s levels.
“I’d like to speak in favor of the project,” said Bird Rock resident Tom Sanger. “The developer has made adjustments to the design. It has more open space and it has more parking. I’d like to see this project done. Bird Rock is undergoing somewhat of a renaissance right now.”
Other residents spoke in favor of Bird Rock Station, including Bird Rock Community Council member Paul Metcalf. But No Third Story.org still fought for the planning commission to deny the project.
“This decision is an important wake-up call for so many of us who have been busy with other projects and issues since the three-story saga of early 2006. It’s also a reminder that our work to get the city back on track is not over,” the organization said via e-mail.
“They did part of the project in the morning, then they tabled it,” Golba said, adding that four planning commissioners approved Bird Rock Station around 1 p.m. last Thursday. “They have 10 calendar days to appeal the decision. Then it goes to city council.”
According to No Third Story.org, the project violates the area’s PDO and was opposed by the community because of the third story. The approval sets a “terrible precedent for future decisions,” the group said.
The organization said it would appeal the planning commission’s decision to the San Diego City Council.
“Truly, this is just the battle, not the war “¦ The decision will be appealed to the City Council, and we look forward to this opportunity to address the council and see how they vote,” the e-mail said.
For more information about No Third Story, go to www.nothirdstory.org. For more information about the City of San Diego Planning Commission, go to www.sandiego.gov/planning-commission.