Input sought for Shores project

BY JIM HEATON

Preserving the unique residential characteristics of the Shores has been one of the primary responsibilities of the La Jolla Shores Association (LJSA) since its inception over 38 years ago.

Historically, one of the primary tools of those charged with these tasks has been the La Jolla Shores Planned District Ordinance (LJSPDO). However, today it has become clear to all the groups who work with the current ordinance - the La Jolla Shores Association (LJSA), La Jolla Shores Advisory Board (LJSAB), La Jolla Shores Permit Review Committee (LJSPRC) and La Jolla Community Planning Association (LJCPA) - that it is sorely out of date and in need of immediate revision.

The Shores is one of the truly unique communities in San Diego. Protecting these attributes may require unique documents and drawings that detail those characteristics the residents and property owners choose to protect and foster as opposed to delineating specific set-backs or other standard planning tools used in traditional “planned communities.” In order to do this we need the input of the all of the citizens of the Shores on those characteristics of our community you want to preserve and protect.

To get the process started, Tim Lucas - a member of the LJSA, LJCPA and LJSPRC - has agreed to chair several forums to gather community input and reach consensus on the primary concerns and characteristics.

The second of these forums will be held at 4 p.m. Oct. 7 at the La Jolla Recreation Center. Additionally, an e-mail address has been created at LJSPDOreview@

gmail.com, where you can send your thoughts and concerns.

As this process moves forward, a committee of residents and property owners in the Shores will be formed to draft the new PDO. This new document will then be reviewed by the groups mentioned earlier, San Diego Development Services and finally by the California Coastal Commission. Please note that if you have questions about the boundaries of La Jolla Shores, please send an e-mail to LJSPDOreview@

gmail.com.

This is clearly a project “for the Shores, by the Shores.” Please send your comments and volunteer to help protect the unique characteristics of a truly unique community.

Jim Heaton is chairman of the La Jolla Shores Association.