Post shows up on Nextdoor 4/16/2026. Huge response by Nextdoor people that think this is true.
Hi neighbors! BIG CHANGES COMING TO PACIFIC GROVE! I’m Diana from the City Planning team, and I wanted to share an exciting vision we’ve been exploring for the future of our town 🌊
As many of you know, Pacific Grove has always been special because of its walkability, charm, and connection to the coastline. We’re now looking at ways to build on that by gradually moving away from car-heavy streets and creating more people-focused spaces.
One idea currently being discussed is transforming portions of Lighthouse Avenue into a more pedestrian friendly corridor potentially incorporating small canals inspired by European coastal towns . The goal would be to our neighbours Carmel. To decrease traffic, increase local business activity, and create a unique, beautiful destination that attracts visitors while still feeling like home.
Imagine outdoor cafés along the water, small bridges connecting walkways, and a calmer, more relaxed pace through the heart of town.
This is still very early in the conversation, and community input is incredibly important. We’d love to hear your thoughts what excites you, what concerns you, and what you’d want to see included if we move in this direction.
THE REASON:
This isn’t just for looks — it’s being explored as part of a larger infrastructure plan to address long-term issues like coastal flooding, aging storm systems, and rising heat in dense areas. A controlled canal system could help store and redirect excess water during storms, reduce pressure on underground pipes, and lower street temperatures, which in turn helps reduce strain on the power grid from cooling demand. It also creates a more resilient downtown that can better handle climate impacts while supporting local businesses and tourism.
In addition, the concept relies on using non-drinking (desalinated and recycled) water in a closed system, meaning it wouldn’t draw from our existing water supply. With future desal capacity being discussed for the region, this kind of system could also act as supplemental storage and buffering, helping manage water more efficiently rather than letting it go to waste.
BELOW ARE SOME SKETCHES
Looking forward to hearing from you all!
— Diana, City Planning
