The 2830 Prewett Project
Why Should You Be Concerned About the 2830 Prewett Project?
A proposed development at 2824-2830 N. Prewett Street in Lincoln Heights will have lasting negative effects on our community’s open spaces and natural resources, the cultural identity of the neighborhood, and contribute to gentrification. The project was initially denied in 2023 and has since been sold to new owners, who are appealing the denial to permit the building of this luxury home.
About this Development Project
What: The project involves building a large two-story, single-family home with an additional accessory dwelling unit (ADU), a pool, and retaining walls on a vacant lot in a Flat Top hillside. Additionally, the Project would include private, onsite recreation facilities, including a jacuzzi, pool, and two deck/lounge areas. It will require significant grading, with nearly 645 cubic yards of soil being removed, and new roadway improvements in an area already subject to safety concerns due to narrow, substandard streets.
Where: The Project Site is located at 2824—2830 N. Prewett Street in the Northeast Los Angeles Community Plan area in the City of Los Angeles. The Project Site fronts N. Prewett Street, an undeveloped paper street, to the north; and N. Thomas Street, a dirt road adjacent to the Site, to the east. Both N. Prewett Street and N. Thomas Street are Substandard Hillside Limited Streets. The project would occur directly on top of a scenic overlook widely used by the Lincoln Heights community for generations, and would reduce the footprint of continuous open space associated with Flat Top Park.
Environmental Harm to Biological Resources
Loss of Open Space & Wildlife Habitat: The city designated the lot as an Open Space/Habitat area, yet it is being cleared for development. While officials claim the lot contains only weeds, the lot is directly adjacent to some of the last remaining relict walnut woodland and valley grassland plant communities in the Southern portions of Flat Top. Developing on this open space will disrupt local ecosystems and reduce the quality and resilience of remaining open spaces.
Threat to Future Preservation and Conservation Efforts at Flat Top Park: Allowing this project to occur reinforces a dangerous precedent for more hillside developments at Flat Top Park, which will gradually destroy our community’s remaining green spaces and any future where we can continue to access and steward them!
Runoff and Soil Erosion: The extensive grading and excavation will increase the risk of soil erosion and stormwater runoff issues that can impact nearby areas.
Species found at adjacent parcels by Project Site. Noteworthy species include the protected tree species, Southern California Black Walnut (Juglans californica), the CA State grass species Purple-Needle Grass (Stipa pulchra), and the grassland species Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium bellum).
Reduced Climate Resilience and Environmental Justice for Lincoln Heights
Increased Fire Risk For Nearby Residential Areas: The project site is in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, meaning it is already at heightened risk for wildfires. Adding new structures, landscaping, and human activity (like construction activities, increased electricity use, and gas connections) will raise the chances of accidental fire ignition at urban-wildland interfaces. If a fire were to break out, the proposed development is on a steep hillside with substandard, narrow roads. This makes it difficult for fire trucks and emergency vehicles to access the area, potentially delaying response times in case of a fire and making fire spread highly likely. In the aftermath of the 2025 LA Fires, we need to reduce our region’s fire risk — NOT increase it.
Loss of Community-Serving Open Space: The site is one of the few remaining undeveloped green spaces in the area. Green spaces are essential for mental and physical health, yet they are being sacrificed for private luxury rather than public benefit.
Health Disparities Exacerbated: Lincoln Heights is already burdened with high rates of asthma, pollution, and lack of green space compared to wealthier neighborhoods. This development worsens these issues rather than addressing them.
Community member-submitted video showing a brush fire near the project site during the 2024 fire season.
Damage to the Aesthetic and Cultural Identity of Lincoln Heights
Destruction of Scenic Views: The development is located along a ridgeline identified in the Northeast LA Ridgelines map, meaning it will obstruct scenic views currently enjoyed by generations of our community.
Incompatible with Neighborhood Character: The modern, two-story design clashes with the historical and cultural aesthetic of Lincoln Heights, one of LA’s oldest neighborhoods. The area is known for its working-class character, and luxury-style hillside homes are out of place.
Loss of Cultural Resources: Though the project claims no historic resources are on-site, Lincoln Heights itself is a historically significant area with a strong Latino and immigrant heritage. Any new developments should respect this history and not cater to outsiders looking for luxury homes. Furthermore, this project site is directly adjacent to a famous filming location featured prominently in the Chicano cult-classic film, Blood In, Blood Out (1993). The movie showcases Lincoln Heights and East LA’s rich cultural history, capturing themes of identity, family, and struggle within the Chicano experience. Locations featured in culturally significant films often become unofficial landmarks, representing key parts of a community’s collective memory. Erasing or altering these sites through luxury development disconnects current and future generations from their cultural heritage. Recognizing and preserving film locations like this one helps maintain community pride and historical continuity for one of Los Angeles’ most historic and diverse neighborhoods.
Scene at N. Thomas St from Blood In, Blood Out (1993) prominently featuring Flat Top near the Project Site.
Contribution to Gentrification
Luxury Housing Instead of Affordable Homes: This project adds another expensive, market-rate home in a neighborhood that desperately needs affordable housing solutions. The trend of hillside mansions drives up property values, making it harder for long-term residents to afford their homes.
Increase in Property Taxes and Rent: With high-end developments come higher property values, which in turn increase property taxes and rent prices for existing residents. This leads to the displacement of low-income families and a shift towards wealthier demographics.
Erosion of Community Identity: Lincoln Heights has a long history of working-class residents, many of whom are renters. Projects like this one cater to wealthier buyers, shifting the demographics and making the neighborhood less accessible to the people who built its identity
Say no to luxury hillside developments…
Di no a los desarrollos de lujo en nuestros espacios abiertos…
1. Attend the East LA City Planning Commission Public Hearing on May 14 after 4:30 PM.
Venga a la Audiencia Pública de la Comisión de Planificación del Este de Los Ángeles el 14 de mayo después de las 4:30 p.m.
2. Sign Our Petition Below in Opposition of this Project:
2. Firme nuestra petición a continuación en oposición a este proyecto: