CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, Calif. (AP) 鈥� No one in this wealthy California community known for its white-sand beaches and storybook charm has a street address. But unlike the houses in Carmel-By-The-Sea, those days may soon be numbered.
After more than a century of address-free living, this seaside tourist destination where Clint Eastwood once presided as mayor is moving ahead with a plan to assign street numbers to homes and businesses.
Many long-time residents aren鈥檛 happy about it.
The city's residents and visitors must navigate a woodsy, 1-square-mile (2.5-square-kilometer) landscape where houses, stores, restaurants and other buildings don鈥檛 have numbers. It鈥檚 even more difficult at night because the town has few street lights.
When asked for their address, residents describe their homes鈥� color or style, nearby landmarks like cypress trees and fire hydrants or their location relative to the nearest cross street. Many houses have signs with whimsical names like Neverland, Dreamcatcher and Pinch Me or descriptors such as 鈥淪an Antonio 3 SE of 9th.鈥�
There is no mail delivery service, so residents must pick up up their mail at the U.S. post office, the only building with an official address.
But street addresses may finally be coming to this coastal city of 3,300 residents, about 120 miles (193 kilometers) south of San Francisco. In July, the city council voted 3-2 to move forward with a plan to issue street numbers.
鈥淲hen emergency crews are responding, particularly at night, it鈥檚 very difficult to count houses in order to find the right house,鈥� Councilmember Karen Ferlito said, noting the city has an aging population. 鈥淪ometimes they go to the wrong house and that wastes precious time.鈥�
Residents complain that many government agencies and businesses require physical address for service. They say delivery and taxi drivers can鈥檛 find their homes and often drop off packages and food orders at the wrong house.
鈥淲e鈥檝e had flowers delivered that were useless. We鈥檝e had fruit baskets delivered when my dad died that were six weeks old,鈥� said Betty Kullas, who moved to Carmel 15 years ago. 鈥淪ometimes if you know it鈥檚 been delivered somewhere, you have to go out with a flashlight at night, going house to house to see if you can find it.鈥�
Kullas said her husband鈥檚 $13,000 medication never arrived, and having it delivered to the post office won鈥檛 work because it requires refrigeration. It was a struggle to get water, electricity and cable service without a physical address.
But many don鈥檛 see the need for street addresses, even in modern times when people increasingly use their addresses to shop online and get important legal documents.
鈥淚 was born in Carmel 67 years ago. I grew up with no street addresses, and it鈥檚 just something you鈥檙e used to,鈥� life-long resident Grant Johnson said outside the post office. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 one of the charms of Carmel. It鈥檚 one of the stories we get to tell.鈥�
Those opposed include the mayor, who voted against the measure.
鈥淚f it鈥檚 not broke, don鈥檛 fix it,鈥� Mayor Dave Potter said during an interview at his home. 鈥淚 just don鈥檛 think it鈥檚 necessary. I mean, honestly, we鈥檝e lived this way for 100 years. We don鈥檛 need them.鈥�
The issue of street addresses has generated controversy in Carmel since its founding in 1916, often pitting business owners against residents intent on preserving the character, culture and village charm.
City officials passed an ordinance requiring house numbering in 1926, but preservation-minded residents fought back. Three years later, the city passed an ordinance to keep Carmel鈥檚 residential streets free of sidewalks, street lights, neon signs, high-rise buildings, mailboxes. It also prohibited street addresses.
In 1953, Carmel threatened to secede from California over proposed state legislation requiring house numbers. The bill didn鈥檛 pass.
The issue reemerged as a hot-button issue during the pandemic, when in-person interactions were curtailed and more residents wanted to have packages and meals delivered to their homes.
Local law enforcement and fire officials spoke out in support of addresses at the July 9 council meeting, noting the lack of street numbers violates fire and building codes.
Potter dismissed the safety concerns, pointing out that local emergency service providers have detailed knowledge of the town and can respond within a few minutes.
Some longtime residents worry street numbers will take away from Carmel鈥檚 quaintness.
鈥淚鈥檝e lived here so long, I鈥檝e kind of forgotten what it鈥檚 like to have mail delivered, so it doesn鈥檛 bother me,鈥� resident Virginia Crapo said. 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 more communal when you have to come down to the post office to get your mail because you can see your neighbors.鈥�
Even after homes receive street addresses, the post office will remain open and there will be no delivery mail service to residences, Ferlito said.
After the council vote, the city staff was directed to develop a numbering plan that must be approved by the U.S. Postal Service.
But the story isn鈥檛 over. In November, residents will vote for city councilmembers and a mayor who will determine the fate of whether to issue addresses to residents.
鈥淭his is a very political issue, and I don鈥檛 know what will happen after the election, but I hope that the new council will continue to stay the course,鈥� said Councilmember Jeff Baron, who is running for mayor and voted for street addresses.
Others agree it鈥檚 time to join the modern world.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 think street numbers will ruin the charm,鈥� said part-time resident Bruce Edwards, who was picking up mail from his post office box. 鈥淚鈥檓 in favor of it because of delivery issues. Uber will work better. The ambulances will be able to find us when I have a heart attack. And my UPS driver will be able to deliver my books.鈥�
Terry Chea, The Associated Press
