Neighbors press council on Playa Riviera encampment; council authorized litigation over unpermitted work at 2000 Playa Riviera Drive

Several residents told the council they are alarmed by apparent unpermitted development and what they described as 'compound‑style' encampment activity at the parcel at the bottom of Playa Riviera Drive.

"This is not simply a neighbor complaining... What has developed on this property increasingly resembles a compound style encampment with multiple RVs, shipping or storage containers, SUVs, fencing, solar equipment, and even a jungle gym," Ryan Ballantyne told council, asking for escalated enforcement action. Ballantyne said the property appears to lack normal sewer and electrical service but that occupants appear to be establishing their own infrastructure.

Several neighbors, including Conrad Smith, said after‑hours activity has complicated enforcement and expressed safety worries noting young children and proximity to the freeway. Ballantyne referenced Encinitas Municipal Code provisions and past precedents for civil enforcement. "What happens after the city issues a stop work order if the prohibited activity simply continues?" he asked.

The city attorney responded that code enforcement had visited the property, issued citations, and referred the matter to the city attorney's office; "action is imminent," the attorney said. The city later reported to council in a closed‑session summary that, by a unanimous 5–0 vote, it had voted to initiate litigation related to unpermitted construction and other work at the property referred to as 2000 Playa Riviera Drive.