Council declares 165 Eucalyptus Avenue a public nuisance and authorizes abatement if owner fails to act

The Vista City Council on March 10 adopted a resolution declaring the property at 165 Eucalyptus Avenue a public nuisance and authorized the city manager to abate the site if the owner does not correct violations within the statutory notice period.

Assistant to the city manager Joshua Sinicroz and Code Enforcement Manager Clarence Rich presented the staff report, saying inspections showed accumulation of trash and debris, broken windows, unsecured doors, graffiti and unauthorized occupancy. Staff told the council roughly $20,000 in administrative citations had been assessed and that the property owner had nonetheless failed to secure the site.

Mayor Franklin said repeated delays and the property's deteriorated condition have harmed nearby residents and businesses and recommended giving the owner a final period to act. Councilmember Melendez moved to declare the nuisance and authorize abatement; the council approved the motion and directed staff to begin scheduling abatement after the 30‑day legal notice window if the property remains in violation.

A resident who lives near the property, Jeff Laird, told the council he walks by the site almost daily and recounted ongoing squatting, vandalism and dumping; he said temporary boarding was breached within days. “The plywood at various points was already ripped off,” Laird said, describing continuing damage and squatting on the parcel.

City staff explained the process: the council must give the property owner at least 30 days to remedy the violations; if the owner fails to act, the city may fence the site, hire security and proceed with demolition and abatement work, recovering costs via a special assessment lien on the property. Council members discussed timelines and directed staff to pursue the shortest practical schedule for abatement while preserving the owner's due process rights.

Councilmembers described the decision as necessary for public‑safety and neighborhood quality of life and praised code‑enforcement staff for their continued work on the case.