The city approved the demolition of the two-story Neptune Place apartment complex, which sits across from Windansea Beach.

The property owners plan to build a three-story condominium complex with two floors of underground parking to house 24 condos.

The city disagreed with the La Jolla Community Planning Association (LJCPA), which voted against the new condo project in December because the majority of trustees believed the bulk and scale of the new structure is not appropriate for the Windansea neighborhood.

Opponents are considering appealing the decision.

The hearing officer with the Development Services Department (DSD) approved the project on April 7 “because it met the code requirements and the findings could be made,” said project manager Diane Murbach.

LJCPA President Joe La Cava said the advisory planning group is disappointed with the hearing officer’s decision.

Architect Phil Merten was one of the dissenting LJCPA trustees who wanted to approve the condominium. He believes the project preserves views to the ocean because the architect set the ground floor walls five feet further back from the street than required in the municipal code.

Devin Burstein, a resident of Neptune Place apartments, said the 57-year-old apartment building offers much-needed affordable rental units in Windansea. Rent ranges from $1,300 for a studio to $3,000 for a two-bedroom apartment,.

“The current plan would replace these rental units with high-end condominiums … [and] further reduce the diversity of this area,” Burstein said.