Opticos Design, Inc.

Designing a Walkable, Mixed Income Neighborhood for a Mountain Town.

For the last major undeveloped parcel in Mammoth Lakes, our urban design team crafted and is now realizing a vision for a 25 acre, walkable, mixed income neighborhood addressing acute affordable housing needs and an extreme alpine climate. Phase I is complete, delivering 80 low income homes—studios and one- to three-bedroom units, most affordable at 60% of AMI—while the next phase is under construction with 146 more homes opening this summer.

The plan integrates Missing Middle Housing, creative parking, and snow responsive green infrastructure to prioritize housing and shared open space. Community members helped shape the design through hands on engagement, and alignment with financing and phasing has enabled successful real world delivery in a resort-driven market. (Team includes Lisa Wise, Crabtree Group, Town of Mammoth Lakes)