Squatters' paradise on Sunset Cliffs

In September of 2018, the property at 2068 Sunset Cliffs Boulevard in Ocean Beach was purchased by Socal Metro Holdings LLC, for $520,000.

The one bedroom, one bath, 634-square-foot home built in 1908, fell prey to new investors who began a remodel, ran into permit issues, left the property as is, including a porta-potty accessible to the transients who have taken up residence.

Neighbors are fed-up, as the porta-potty is ‘ripe.’

A representative from Atlas Pumping Service told me “last time we serviced it was March of this year, construction was halted because of permitting issues but the owner said he’s going to start up again in about two weeks.”

"Sue" has called police and Code Enforcement and even spoke to a fire fighter.

“The house has no roof and has become a place where people enter on the alley side.We’ve all been watching this for almost a year via neighbor’s surveillance camera. We call the police several times a month…when I first met the new owner, I asked him if he was going to get it designated historical, and he wouldn’t even look me in the eye. He showed up with his crew, he didn’t like the way the roof slanted, so he removed the roof. This was late last year. SDG&E removed their electrical box because transients were breaking the lock to use the power. Any able-bodied person can get in. As of now there is still no resolution to securing the property or condemning it...let’s not even talk about the un-emptied porta-potty which all the people that show up there are using.”

Another neighbor echoed the same sentiment.

“Property has been this way close to around a year. And yes, calls were made to the project manager for the property, fire department, police department numerous times, reports done on the Get it Done app., and calls made to the porta-john company, and nothing has changed.”

The fence is being held up by trashcans and there are zero ‘no trespassing’ or ‘private property’ signs. The garage is boarded up and appears to have some sort of black growth coming out of it, while piles of lumber and dry weeds add to concerns of it being a fire hazard.

“Another concern is all the dry weeds,” Sue tells me as we inspect the area. “People are squatting in here, smoking whatever, and all this wood, what if they try to burn the wood? I had to call the fire department and weed abatement because they are tossing cigarette butts around. I was told by the city that an inspector had come out and was going to come back next week. I do not know the outcome of his inspection. We’re all frustrated and over it at this point.”

According to San Diego Development Services Department a permit was issued on 11/26/18 to remodel the kitchen, relocate bathroom, add a new closet to the bedroom, new windows, replace in-kind roof system. On 2/11/19, a change was approved to add a laundry room, new studs and new interior shear panels into existing exterior walls. But after failing the first inspection on 2/26/19 for modifications of over 50 percent of the existing walls, inspections were suspended.

Notice was issued, triggering the requirement of a Coastal Development Permit, which was created in May. The final update per the Open DSD San Diego website regarding previous "frame" status says: ‘Progress [Pass]: progress inspection performed. Prop owner is getting a new contractor.’

The report indicates there are seven inspections remaining in the plan and not all final inspections are complete.

“Workers just showed up to try and secure the property,” another neighbor told me on Tuesday morning (10/29). “I asked them if they were going to secure the property, but they just said that the city inspector will be back out this week to check on the property.”

"Sue" adds: “About a month ago, someone came by and said they were starting building again. I’m gullible I guess. It’s obvious he was trying to flip it and didn’t get the right permits. If he cares about this piece of property, wouldn’t he secure it? Pull the weeds around it. We all just keep thinking he’ll be back but so far, nothing.”

Arian Collins of the city of San Diego told me: "City staff has investigated and the owner has been responsive to the city’s field division. No fines or violations have been issued.”