La Mesa council denies appeal and approves 73‑unit Jericho Road townhomes with added parking, drainage and traffic study conditions

The La Mesa City Council on May 13 denied an appeal of the Planning Commission decision and approved a 73‑unit townhome project proposed for 9407 Jericho Road, with conditions the council added after extensive public comment and neighbor testimony.

The action resolves an appeal from nearby residents who argued the rezone, density and driveway access would be unsafe and incompatible with the predominantly single‑family neighborhood. Councilmember Genevieve Casares moved to deny the appeal; the motion passed 4‑1 (Casares, Suzuki, Vice Mayor Dillard and Mayor Rapistaff voting yes; Councilmember Lothian voting no).

Why it matters: The project would change the site’s land‑use and zoning from single‑family (R1/urban residential) to multi‑unit (R3/multiple unit residential), enabling 73 for‑sale townhomes — 8 of them restricted to moderate‑income households — on a 3.49‑acre site near the Amaya trolley station. Supporters framed the proposal as “missing middle” for‑sale housing that helps La Mesa meet state housing goals; opponents said the site’s single vehicular access, steep grades and limited on‑street capacity will endanger neighbors and overwhelm local streets.

Staff and applicant presentations Staff told council the project had…