Planning commissioners denied Hillel’s proposed La Jolla project Nov. 6, voting 4-1 against recommending approval of the controversial Jewish student center. City of San Diego Planning Commissioner Tim Golba said the group denied Hillel — a nonprofit group proposing to build a 12,100-square-foot Jewish student center on a .76-acre triangular site adjacent to UC San Diego at 8976 Cliffridge Ave. — based on three factors. Hillel representatives submitted the current project after residents sued the organization over technicalities regarding the first proposed student center on the same site. Hillel adjusted parking and environmental factors, which tied up the first project in litigation. But La Jolla’s planning groups voted against the second project and Golba said planning commissioners were still concerned about factors such as parking and the project’s legalities. “For parking they chose to use the auto lifts, which caused concerns,” Golba said. To adjust for the area’s parking shortage, Hillel designed lifts that would raise cars, allowing for added garage space. Golba said commissioners worried about “queuing” problems, adding that Hillel’s solution was to have constant valets. “The bigger problem we had was that [the lift design] didn’t fit into the building,” Golba said. Hillel representatives made a parking agreement with UCSD, but commissioners said the gesture was futile. “The offsite parking agreement with UCSD expires in 2012 — it’s first-come, first-serve, and so if UCSD students were using it then they were out of luck,” Golba said. Residents continued to raise questions regarding Hillel’s use, mainly whether a student center is appropriate for that site. “The last issue was if [Hillel] was even legal because the [La Jolla] Shores Planned District Ordinance allows primarily religious uses or buildings as long as they are primarily religious,” Golba said. “But the student center is arguably institutional except on Friday night.” Golba said the design includes computer labs and lounges, lending credence to its institutional uses. “The question remains, is it really legal?” Golba said. “Of course, our role is to pass it on to city council and we are focusing on the fact that the parking causes us great concern.” Hillel’s attorneys plan to take the project to the San Diego City Council, possibly as early as Dec. 3, according to Golba. “It appeared as if they’re very concerned with trying to get to council before the shift in council members occurs,” Golba said. Hillel must go in front of San Diego City Council for approval or denial of the project. The next San Diego City Council meeting will occur Dec. 3. For more information, go to www.ucsdhillel.org/project.