ELYSIAN HEIGHTS, Calif. - In Elysian Heights, residents have started a campaign to prevent an open expanse of land from being developed for a large single-family home.

"It’s the top of the world," said Dexter Randazzo, who makes the trip up the hill at least once a day to enjoy the view.

The hill is known as "Kite Hill" because it was once a popular spot for flying kites.

Nowadays, people are more likely to walk their dogs up here and socialize.

"It’s also a place where you can see other neighbors and community members and everybody’s relaxed and there is a beautiful view and it just kind of takes the anxiety away," said Randazzo.

But kite hill is private property and the owner has proposed a plan to built a 3,200 square foot home with a garage and guest house for his family.

The owner’s lawyer said he left the space open to allow the public to keep enjoying the space. But feels he’s being punished now that he wants to develop his own property.

Randazzo and other neighbors want to keep visiting the space. So they’ve hired a lawyer to help them.

He’s helped them do an environmental assessment of the space, which found possible protected trees like could be removed if the hill is redeveloped.

"We’re trying to see if we can purchase the property from the developer so that it will be preserved in perpetuity as part of the Santa Monica Mountains," said Jamie Hall, the attorney retained by the local residents.

Randazzo understands the owner has the right to build on his property. But it would still hurt to see this place go.

"I’ll feel terrible. As will the community. Yea. It’s needed," she said.

She hopes to keep visiting for years to come.