Hearing Officer Approves Contested La Jolla Shores ADU at 2734 Bordeaux After Three Local Denials
A Sept. 17, 2026 report on the Sept. 9 Hearing Officer hearing says the city approved CDP/SDP permits for a detached about 1,111-square-foot ADU with basement and roof terraces at 2734 Bordeaux Avenue despite denial recommendations from three La Jolla review bodies. Staff concluded the pad is previously graded and not environmentally sensitive land under code, overriding neighbors' 25% ESL footprint math. An appeal window to Planning Commission remained open. This is distinct from the Bird Rock Adelante litigation and the Pearl/Girard Village mixed-use item already on this La Jolla board.
What the Hearing Officer decided
The approval covers coastal development and site development permits for a detached ADU on a canyon-adjacent La Jolla Shores lot. The fight turned on whether the building pad counts as environmentally sensitive land. City staff said the pad is previously graded and therefore not ESL under the applicable code reading. Local panels had recommended denial. Until any appeal runs its course, treat the project as Hearing Officer-approved with a live appeal risk, not finished construction.
Why it matters
- Live canyon-adjacent ADU precedent in La Jolla Shores after three local boards said no.
- Distinct from Bird Rock Adelante litigation and Pearl/Girard Village mixed-use already on the La Jolla board.
Sources: Nelson Brothers on the Bordeaux Avenue ADU decision (Sept. 17, 2026); City of San Diego Hearing Officer Agenda, Sept. 9, 2026 (2734 Bordeaux Avenue).
Related on this site: The Pearl at Pearl and Girard; the Bird Rock Adelante townhomes lawsuit.
More La Jolla mortgage help and the La Jolla news board.
For a buyer in La Jolla, an ADU or primary residence is often a loan-size question first. See jumbo loans in La Jolla.
Buying or refinancing in La Jolla?
Get clear numbers from a local San Diego mortgage team.
Get Pre-ApprovedLeft Coast Leaders, Inc. · NMLS #2394495 · DRE #02191517 · Equal Housing Lender. Local news briefings are for general information and are not formal appraisals or loan commitments.