Redensification & Community Hubs

The fire displaced 6,000-7,000 residents and destroyed approximately 2,200 homes. The recovery plan proposes rebuilding these units at higher density within a compact, walkable zone centered on the new boulevard.

The redensification strategy distributes housing across three district typologies. The Boulevard District concentrates 4-story mixed-use buildings along the main spine, retail and services at ground level, apartments above. The Riparian Edge District steps down toward stream corridors, with predominantly residential buildings at 2-3 stories. The Coastal Edge District integrates heritage preservation with housing, maintaining view corridors to the ocean while keeping building heights modest.

Maximum height is capped at 4 stories throughout, respecting the town’s character while achieving the density needed to house returning residents. The mix includes townhomes (25%), stacked apartments (35%), and mixed-use buildings (10%), with the remainder as single-family and duplex infill.

Three community hubs anchor the residential fabric. Each hub combines a primary school with health services and emergency response facilities, positioned within walkable distance of surrounding neighborhoods. These are not single-purpose buildings but hybrid institutions: a school gymnasium doubles as an emergency shelter, a health clinic serves as a first-response triage point, and shared courtyards function as both playground and community gathering space.