North Bay fires pave long road ahead for rebuilding housing

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (KGO) -- Days after the fire started, people who've lost their homes are now focusing on reconstruction. The city of Santa Rosa is hoping to expedite what can be a long and arduous process.

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Like thousands of other people, Sylvia Parkinson lost her Coffey Park home in the fire. She lived on Hennessy Place -- and is determined to live there again as soon as possible.

"I'm a single mom so I have a son that I need to make sure that he knows that we're going to be okay," said Parkinson.

In Santa Rosa alone, the fire destroyed more than 2800 structures. City leaders say they plan to cut the red tape -- not only to help people rebuild, but to create more units in what was already a tight market.

TAKE ACTION: How to help North Bay fire victims

"How do they walk into our planning department and get a permit that day to rebuild the current footprint of their home to help it get up as quickly as possible. I want our permitting department to be that fast," said Santa Rosa Vice-Mayor Jack Tibbetts.

Governor Jerry Brown is also trying to speed things along.

Today, he issued an executive order suspending planning and zoning requirements as well as state fees for manufactured homes and mobile home parks.

As for Parkinson, she thinks it will take a year or two for her house to be completed.

"I've got to look at the bright side. I lost everything. It's time for me to start over and I want to rebuild. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else but Sonoma County," said Parkinson.

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