History of the La Jolla Shores Association

The La Jolla Shores Association (LJSA) has been your neighborhood association for over 30 years, with a history as a stable, effective, democratic community group. In 1966, residents of the La Jolla Shores community formed the Association to enhance and protect the unique characteristics of the area.

In 1967, the La Jolla Community Plan was adopted by the City Council. It provided for the development of a more precise plan for the La Jolla Shores area within its framework. The Community Plan was written by La Jollans, Inc., now the La Jolla Community Planning Association (CPA), which covers all of La Jolla.

In 1971-72, the San Diego City Council authorized funds for the City staff to work with LJSA to develop a detailed plan for the La Jolla Shores community to deal with housing and density; controls on height, bulk and intensity of development; location of parks; and beautification. The La Jolla Shores Precise Plan which resulted was adopted by the San Diego City Council on November 2, 1972.

To implement the Precise Plan, the Planned District Ordinance (PDO) was adopted by the San Diego City Council in 1974 in Chapter X, Article 3 of the San Diego Municipal Code. The Ordinance also created the La Jolla Shores Planned District Advisory Board of seven Shores area members appointed by the mayor. The Board reviews all permit applications referred to it and gives its recommendations to the City Planning Director. Each month, the LJSA Land Use Committee evaluates building proposals and offers comments, when appropriate, at the Advisory Board meetings, as any member of the public may.

In 1976, the La Jolla Community Plan was revised, with the La Jolla Shores recognized as already having a detailed sub-area plan, specifically the La Jolla Shores Precise Plan and the La Jolla Shores Planned District Ordinace.

The La Jolla Community Plan has undergone another update that was approved in 1995 with some items still to be decided. LJSA has been allowed minimal input in the process and the result is a document that provides far less protection for the La Jolla Shores area.

Adopted from a August 1996 LJSA newsletter article written by Bill Kellogg