The Project Review Committee of the OB Planning Board is scheduled to review a demolition / construction project on the 4900 block of Saratoga Avenue at their monthly meeting this Wednesday, Dec. 17th.
The one-item agenda of the Committee, chaired by John Ambert, begins at 6 pm at the OB Recreation Center, 4726 Santa Monica Avenue. The Project Review Committee holds a semi-hearing on each project that is to come before the Planning Board and then it usually makes a recommendation to the full Board, that most times considers the project at their next monthly meeting.
The project up for consideration this week is an application for a Coastal Development Permit at 4950 and 4956 Saratoga Avenue. The application is to demolish 2 existing residences and build 4 dwelling units – on a 2 lot plot of 0.16 acres.
From Zillow we learn that the the lot has a 2 bedroom, 1 bath front house with a cottage in the back, for a total of 3 bedrooms, 2 baths in the 1380 square foot living space. The 2 units are on a 7,000 square foot lot, and were built in 1955, sold on June 24, 2014 for $875,000. Zillow has said it was last remodeled in 1955, and besides declaring this “a great development opportunity”, says the fFront house has ample storage and “bonus room”, and that the cottage in the back has alley access.
From Redfin we learn that the front home has been completely upgraded in 2013: new kitchen, updated bath, new windows, freshly painted interior and exterior, “with a large sunroom that functions as family room and extra bedroom, plus a private yard. The back unit has a new roof, freshly painted, private yard and parking.”
As yet, the plans for the new 4 units are not public – but they will be at the Project Review Committee meeting.
Here’s the agenda:
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Here we go again….in another 4900 block of O B, our trademark cottages are targeted for teardown, so as to squeeze every last dime out of a four unit to be squeezed into every last inch of the existing property.
Close your eyes and envision O B without cottages. Where will our O B be? It’ll resemble our neighbors – PB and MB – that’s where. And the charm will be gone.
Hope there is a basis for saying “no” to this plan and every other tear down/build up scheme in the ocean block of O B.
If the proposed project adheres to the FAR, 30 foot height limit, parking requirements, etc, what is your reasoning to try and find a way to stop it? Do you think the neighborhood tried to stop the Spanish style buildings from being constructed when it was primarily cottages and craftsman homes and apartments only? Modern architecture ( if that is what’s planned) is just another style to add to the eclectic mix. With the FAR in place the builder can’t cover the whole lot like in MB and PB. OB has strict building requirements and a lower FAR than neighboring beach communities but that not enough for people like you. If the project is legal let it be.. It’s called property rights. Change has happened over the decades and will continue to do so.
What are the parking requirements in this area? Just curious.
The neighborhood does have alot of cottages :-) and big buildings such as:
12 bed, 12 bath, 6724 sq. ft. multi-family (5+ unit) located at 4955 Saratoga Ave, San Diego, CA 92107 sold for $1185000 on Feb 14, 2002.