Despite last year’s momentum in getting through the local, city and state historic review processes, La Jolla’s coastal historic district has hit a stumbling block on the way to the National Register of Historic Places.
After getting support from California’s State Historical Resources Commission in August, proponents of the La Jolla Park Coastal Historic District have received additional questions and ideas that need to be addressed, according to Seonaid McArthur, chairwoman of the La Jolla Historical Society’s Landmark Committee.
McArthur, who has been leading the effort, said during the La Jolla Parks & Beaches board meeting Jan. 22 that after the nomination got to the keeper of the National Register of Historic Places, a letter from a former area resident asked that more properties be included in the district. McArthur declined to elaborate to the La Jolla Light.
The La Jolla Park Coastal Historic District encompasses places such as The Cove, Children’s Pool, Casa de Mañana retirement community and Red Roost and Red Rest cottages. The area is based on an 1887 map of what was called La Jolla Park and includes eight acres of coastal parkland between Torrey Pines Road and Coast Walk in the north and nearly the end of Coast Boulevard in the south.
According to the nomination, the area’s period of significance ends in 1940, when the last of many recreational buildings were constructed and community development began to focus on areas farther from the coast.
McArthur said a letter from representatives of local animal advocacy groups asked how the harbor seals and sea lions that come on land to rest and give birth in the area would continue to be protected. The nomination includes both the Children’s Pool, which is closed to the public for five months annually for harbor seal pupping season, and Point La Jolla, which is closed year-round to keep humans and sea lions apart.
“Those questions came to us and we had to respond,” McArthur said. “We did that back in December, and the answers went back to the [Historical Resources Commission] … and is being reviewed.”
She did not immediately provide details to the Light about the answers.
In addition to the state commission, the La Jolla Community Planning Association, La Jolla Planned District Ordinance Committee, La Jolla Shores Association, Parks & Beaches and the San Diego Historical Resources Board all have voted to support the historic district. The San Diego-based Save Our Heritage Organisation also has stated its support.
The State Historical Resources Commission’s vote cleared the way for the district to be state-designated and nominated to the National Register. But given the recent additional questions, it isn’t yet known when it will be considered there.
During the LJP&B meeting, board Vice President Brenda Fake commended the proponents for shepherding the project and said, “Shame on anyone that throws stumbling blocks in front of this.”
Benefits of historic designation include access to better and more grants if repairs are needed in the district, code alternatives listed under the State Historical Building Code, protections under the California Environmental Quality Act and more.
The designation also comes with limits on what can be built, and any change to the area would have to be in line with the terms of the designation.
Other Parks & Beaches news
Election results: Two new members and five incumbents were elected to the board during its annual election.
La Jolla residents Stephanie Kelly and Diane Kane were seated to fill two vacancies for terms that expire in 2027. Incumbents Bob Evans, Ken Hunrichs, Tom Brady, Alexandra Corsi and Sally Miller were elected to their second three-year terms. All five will be termed out in 2027.
John Shannon was chosen to be the new vice president, and Tim Seery was reappointed as treasurer. The president and secretary positions will be voted on next year.
La Jolla Bike Path: Given the recent rains, volunteers who maintain the La Jolla Bike Path are in “heavy pruning mode” so plants do not become overgrown and create a fire hazard in the spring.
“We have to maintain visibility in places where it is narrow and identify the underbrush that might become a hazard down the line,” said volunteer Debbie Adams.
Adams added that she received a donation from a resident who wishes to remain anonymous that will be used to buy new plants and trees for areas that are “bare and weedy.”
Additional efforts are underway to update and improve signs on the path to better outline what is permitted there.
New benches: Two new benches are coming to Coast Walk Trail in coming months to replace ones that have been damaged. Both benches will be placed by local Boy Scouts, according to Fake, who also is president of Friends of Coast Walk Trail.
Next meeting: La Jolla Parks & Beaches next meets at 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26, at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. Learn more at lajollaparksbeaches.org. ◆
