Carmel Residents Debate the Need for Street Addresses Amid Charm Concerns

In the quaint town of Carmel, residents face challenges navigating their community at night due to a lack of street lighting and formal addresses. Many describe their homes by color or nearby landmarks, making it difficult to receive deliveries or access services that require a physical address. In July, the city council voted 3-2 to move forward with a plan to issue street numbers, a decision met with mixed reactions from the community. While some residents express frustration over the difficulties of locating deliveries, others cherish the town's unique charm and communal spirit. Virginia Crapo, a long-time resident, noted that the absence of street addresses fosters a sense of community, as neighbors interact more frequently at the post office. Historically, Carmel has resisted formal addressing, even threatening to secede from California in 1953 over legislation mandating house numbers. Despite the potential implementation of street addresses, the local post office will remain operational, and mail delivery to residences will not change. The upcoming November elections will be pivotal, as residents will vote for city council members and a mayor who will influence the future of the addressing plan. Councilmember Jeff Baron, a proponent of the initiative, hopes the new council will continue to support the move, asserting that street numbers will not detract from the town's charm. As the debate unfolds, the community remains divided on balancing modern needs with the preservation of Carmel's distinctive character.