North Hollywood Vacant Lot to Be Cleared After Neighborhood Uproar

City officials to clean up property that has become a nuisance for local residents.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 9:55pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of discarded car parts, broken glass, and other debris littering a vacant lot, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.A vacant lot in North Hollywood has become a hub for criminal activity, prompting a neighborhood uproar and the city's decision to clear the property.Los Angeles Today

Residents in a North Hollywood neighborhood are relieved that a vacant lot on Varna Avenue, which has become a hub for criminal activity and a source of constant disturbance, will be cleared by city officials on Thursday at the expense of the lot's owner.

Why it matters

The vacant lot has been a longstanding issue for the community, with residents reporting drug use, theft, and other criminal behavior taking place on the property. The city's decision to intervene and clean up the lot is a response to the neighborhood's ongoing concerns about public safety and quality of life.

The details

The vacant lot on Varna Avenue does not have a home, but instead contains makeshift shanties, a rundown RV, car parts, and other trash and debris. Residents in the area have been dealing with constant issues, including drug use, vagrancy, and property crimes, stemming from the neglected lot. City officials are now set to begin clearing the lot on Thursday morning.

  • The vacant lot has been an issue for the neighborhood since at least 2023.
  • City officials are expected to begin clearing the lot on Thursday, April 17, 2026.

The players

Robert Baindourov

A resident who has been terrorized by the issues stemming from the vacant lot, including drug use, vagrancy, and property crimes.

Samantha Miranda

A resident who is relieved that city officials are taking action to address the problems caused by the vacant lot, which has made the neighborhood feel unsafe.

Adrin Nazarian

The city councilmember who represents the district where the vacant lot is located, and who has received 28 calls about the property since 2023.

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What they’re saying

“Constant drug use. We're talking about vagrants in the middle of the night going through my trash, looted my car. My windows cracked over there because somebody tried to get in. I don't know when that happened. All night long, there's either drug use or some sort of other criminal activity happening.”

— Robert Baindourov, Resident

“We couldn't walk in the neighborhood, so the neighborhood hasn't felt safe at all. Even around the corner, it doesn't feel safe.”

— Samantha Miranda, Resident

What’s next

City officials are expected to begin clearing the vacant lot on Varna Avenue on Thursday, April 17, 2026, at the expense of the lot's owner.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the ongoing challenges that communities face with neglected properties that become magnets for criminal activity and public nuisances. The city's decision to intervene and clean up the lot is a positive step in addressing the neighborhood's concerns and restoring a sense of safety and livability.