The La Jolla Community Planning Association (LJCPA) voted 8-3-2 to reject a proposal to demolish the existing structure at 6767 Neptune Place in Windansea and build a 24-residential rental unit. City staff will consider LJCPA’s recommendation in its decision on the project. LJCPA met Dec. 3. Claude-Anthony Marengo presented the project on behalf of Marengo Morten Architects Inc., located on Girard Avenue in La Jolla. Marengo said the building will not block neighbors’ views. Trustees argued the bulk and scale of the proposed building is not appropriate for the Windansea neighborhood. Trustee Phil Merten voted in favor of the project, however, stating the architects had made considerable efforts to set back the building from the street to open the view corridor to the ocean. Resident of the current building, Devin Burstein, spoke ardently against the project. He argued that razing the current building would mean demolishing “one of the few places left in La Jolla for affordable housing.” Burstein is a public defender and his girlfriend works for the American Cross. “Just because something can be done doesn’t mean it should be done,” Burstein said. “The bulk and scale of the building is so far out of the character of Windansea and La Jolla.” The Neptune Place project is scheduled to go before a hearing officer, and people can appeal it to the Planning Commission. Pot dispensaries get smoked The LJCPA balked at the city’s Medical Marijuana Task Force’s recommendations to require a 500-foot radius between dispensaries, and 1,000 feet from schools, recreation centers and youth facilities. The task force decided it would be too onerous to include parks, religious institutions, playgrounds and libraries in the distance requirements. The LJCPA voted against the task force’s recommendations on the provision that only requiring 500 feet between dispensaries was too close. Trustee Michele Addington suggested the collectives be banned from the central village altogether. City Council is seeking feedback from the city’s community planning groups before it considers the task force’s land use recommendations in January. Taking the Right-of-Way LJCPA rejected a request from two homeowners in the 7700 block of Prospect Place to acquire a portion of the unused street – 3,100 square feet in total. The LJCPA voted 9-2-1 against the project, which will be sent to the city for final consideration. Acquiring the additional property would have enabled the homeowners to install drains to handle flooding, and one homeowner wanted to use the extra lot size to build a garage to house his four cars. The homeowners promised to build a sidewalk and enhance and maintain the landscaping, which they said the city has neglected. Trustees argued the loss of land would mean a loss of parking spaces on the street, plus it would enable the homeowners to potentially build more on their properties. Trustee Mike Costello argued on the contrary that the property is an “eyesore” the city is not maintaining, plus giving the property to private residents would bolster the tax base. The applicants garnered support from some neighbors but seven neighbors sent a letter of opposition, stating they enjoyed walking their dogs in the cul-de-sac, which they did not want tampered with. The Prospect Place street request will go before the Planning Commission for recommendation, and then City Council for a decision. The public can submit comments. The LJCPA meets the first Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. at the La Jolla Recreation Center, 615 Prospect St. For more information call (858) 456-7900 or visit lajollacpa.org.