A developer plans to mount a Gulfstream G550 fuselage on the roof deck of a home at 15 Sandpiper Strand in Coronado Cays — transforming a quiet waterfront neighborhood into a spectacle. Here is what is at stake.
Donatello Bonasera Development LLC, branding the project “Casa Faten — The Jet House,” is installing a 40-foot Gulfstream G550 fuselage on a third-story roof deck in Coronado Cays, an exclusive waterfront residential waterfront community on the Silver Strand. The developer has also said a helipad is being contemplated for another property in the Cays.
An 8-foot parapet wall is planned for part of the roof deck — but it does not cover the fuselage, which is on the extreme North end of the roof and only ringed with a 42” glass railing. This makes the Gulfstream visible from the canal, neighboring properties, and common areas. The developer never presented formal 3D renderings to the HOA, and thus by extension, to the community before beginning construction. Neighbors only learned of the fuselage plans through leaked documents and word of mouth.
Dozens of residents have signed on in opposition to the project. This site exists to provide factual information and help the community take informed action.
Each concern below is grounded in the community’s governing documents, California law, or both.
The Member Handbook requires that “the scale of exterior improvements must be consistent with the residential character of the community.” A jet fuselage on a roof is an unprecedented departure from every design guideline in the handbook.
The handbook prohibits exterior changes that “detract from the attractiveness of the development.” There are zero comparable structures in any San Diego residential community. Property appraisers may treat it as an adverse condition for nearby homes.
The CC&Rs contain an explicit nuisance prohibition — no use that is “offensive or detrimental to other property in the vicinity.” A commercial-scale spectacle on a residential roof clearly qualifies.
Coronado Cays is an exclusive waterfront community for a reason. Once a visible rooftop jet fuselage makes social media, the neighborhood faces drone flyovers, boat rubbernecking on the canal, and a stream of curiosity-seekers that compromise the community’s quiet character.
Every homeowner has a right to quiet enjoyment of their property. The visual intrusion of a jet fuselage, combined with increased traffic and noise, directly undermines this fundamental covenant right for immediate neighbors.
If a jet fuselage and helipad are allowed, what comes next? Approving this sets a binding precedent that the CC&Rs cannot restrict unusual rooftop structures — opening the door to anything any homeowner can imagine.
Real comments from Coronado Cays residents, shared on community Facebook groups.
“When we wanted to put up a vinyl fence/gate the amount of pushback we received was a lot… But an airplane??!!! We do have rules and regulations in the Cays and I can’t believe this falls within those guidelines. Please add me to your list. This is ridiculous.”
“This is NOT acceptable. This is what the HOA is supposed to prevent. We should all be concerned on what will now come next if this is the new precedent. We were just denied a roof top deck! The HOA says YES to airplane that everyone can see and NO to a rooftop deck. This is the definition of hypocritical.”
“It’s gaudy. When we were building our house in Green Turtle, the same village this will be at, we had trouble getting our colors approved… Off white for the house, grey for the roof. How was this approved???”
“Our former village director did not approve a vinyl gate when she has one at her own house. But the hull of a plane on the roof? No problem!”
“Seeing as we were told to remove a security camera this is nonsense!!! Add me to your list of protests!”
“And our neighbors had to fight for their kid to keep a basketball hoop on the side of their yard. I guess planes are ok.”
“We weren’t allowed to build a deck or add a second story but this seems totally fine. Nice work HOA.”
“There is also a helipad planned for another one of this developer’s homes in the Cays. If this plane is allowed to go through, how could a helipad or helicopter be reasonably disallowed? Or anyone else’s harebrained idea for their rooftop?”
A chronology of the key events surrounding the 15 Sandpiper Strand project.
Answers based on public records, governing documents, and community reporting.
A 40-foot section of a Gulfstream G550 fuselage is planned for the third-story roof deck of 15 Sandpiper Strand. The developer has branded the project “Casa Faten — The Jet House.” The developer has also indicated a helipad is being contemplated for a separate property in the Cays.
The developer has said a helipad is being contemplated for a separate project at another one of their properties in Coronado Cays. While it is not part of the 15 Sandpiper Strand fuselage plans, it raises the same precedent concern: if a rooftop jet fuselage is allowed, on what basis could a helipad be denied?
The project appears to have moved forward through the HOA’s architectural review process. However, many residents contend the approval was procedurally flawed — no formal renderings were presented to the community, and the review did not adequately consider the CC&R provisions governing scale, aesthetics, and nuisance.
The Member Handbook contains several relevant provisions: Section 9.4.1.3 requires improvements to be “consistent with the residential character of the community” in scale. Section 3.16 prohibits any use that is “offensive or detrimental to other property in the vicinity.” The handbook also gives the Architectural Committee authority to deny modifications that “detract from the attractiveness of the development.”
Yes. An 8-foot parapet wall is planned for part of the roof deck, but it does not cover the fuselage, which is on the extreme North end of the roof and only ringed with a 42” glass railing. This makes the Gulfstream visible from the canal, neighboring properties, and common areas.
No. There are zero rooftop aircraft fuselages in any residential community in the San Diego area. The installation would be completely without precedent in the neighborhood or region.
Unique, non-residential structures visible from neighboring properties can be treated as adverse conditions by property appraisers. Additionally, increased tourist traffic, drone activity, and media attention can diminish the quiet residential character that attracted homeowners to Coronado Cays in the first place.
Residents have been cited by the HOA for minor exterior violations — paint colors, patio furniture, flag poles, and similar items. The apparent willingness to approve a rooftop jet fuselage while enforcing these minor rules raises serious questions about consistent application of the CC&Rs.
Add your name to the growing list of neighbors who oppose this project. Attend upcoming HOA meetings and make your voice heard. Contact the HOA board directly in writing to express your position. Share this page with fellow residents. If you are a Coronado Cays homeowner, your participation in community surveys and formal proceedings carries significant weight.
Dozens of neighbors have signed in recent days. Every name is used confidentially to show the HOA the true scale of opposition before the April meeting. Takes about 30 seconds.
Questions? Email savethecays@gmail.com · Share: savethecays.org