Proposed mansion at Montoro Estates gets support from La Jolla Shores committee

A vacant lot on Ruette Nice in La Jolla Shores is a step closer to being occupied after the La Jolla Shores Permit Review Committee pushed forward a proposal for an 8,024-square-foot home in the Montoro Estates gated community.

The project, if ultimately approved by the city of San Diego, would build the two-story house along with a pool and basement-level and main-level garages for three and two cars, respectively. The proposal has a 0.48 floor area ratio (the building’s size in relation to its lot), and its highest point is 28 feet 6 inches.

Before the project went to the PRC at its Aug. 21 meeting, it had the support of the Montoro La Jolla Homeowners Association as well as the written consent of neighbors above the property and across the street.

Tony Sanshey of Island Architects in La Jolla said property owners below and adjacent to the project site have been made aware of the plan and “were really all in approval of it.” Those neighbors provided verbal consent, Sanshey said.

Sanshey, along with Island Architects’ associate architect and interior design director Haley Duke, addressed a few questions before the board held a vote. A pair of board members asked about the property being in a very high fire hazard area.

Sanshey said the team has consulted with city staff about mitigating hazards in the area and that the city views its fire protection resources as adequate.

The bottom swath of the property is characterized as a zone requiring brush management to provide a buffer between the property and surrounding vegetation.

Another concern involved the project’s setbacks. The rear yard would step back from four to 19 feet. On the north side of the property, the setback would be from four to 12 feet.

Board member Angie Preisendorfer said the setbacks “seem really close.”

In the end, the committee voted 5-0 to support the project, with Chairman Andy Fotsch customarily abstaining and member Dan Courtney abstaining because of technical difficulties with the online format. He indicated via Zoom messages that he favored the project.

Next meeting: The La Jolla Shores Permit Review Committee next meets at 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, online. The agenda and Zoom link will be posted 72 hours in advance at lajollacpa.org.