SAN DIEGO – Former presidential candidate Mitt Romney and his wife, Ann, have passed another hurdle in their plans to tear down their beachfront home in San Diego's affluent La Jolla (HOY'-uh) neighborhood and build an 11,000-square-foot mansion in its place.
California Coastal Commission legislative liaison Sarah Christie says the panel voted 7-4 on Friday to allow the city-approved permit for the project, ruling that it did not pose a significant issue under the California Coastal Act.
The Romneys bought the 3,000-square-foot home in 2008 for $12 million.
A former neighbor, Anthony Ciani, had challenged the city permit, saying it was granted because the Romneys exaggerated the size of the lot by claiming the beach in front.
The commission ruled the Romneys do own that portion of beach.
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