Current:Home > ScamsWhere do you live? That’s a complicated question for a California town with no street addresses -Visionary Growth Labs
Where do you live? That’s a complicated question for a California town with no street addresses
View
Date:2025-04-19 08:16:32
CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, Calif. (AP) — 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’t 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’t have numbers. It’s even more difficult at night because the town has few street lights.
When asked for their address, residents describe their homes’ 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 “San Antonio 3 SE of 9th.”
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.
“When emergency crews are responding, particularly at night, it’s very difficult to count houses in order to find the right house,” Councilmember Karen Ferlito said, noting the city has an aging population. “Sometimes they go to the wrong house and that wastes precious time.”
Residents complain that many government agencies and businesses require physical address for service. They say delivery and taxi drivers can’t find their homes and often drop off packages and food orders at the wrong house.
“We’ve had flowers delivered that were useless. We’ve had fruit baskets delivered when my dad died that were six weeks old,” said Betty Kullas, who moved to Carmel 15 years ago. “Sometimes if you know it’s been delivered somewhere, you have to go out with a flashlight at night, going house to house to see if you can find it.”
Kullas said her husband’s $13,000 medication never arrived, and having it delivered to the post office won’t work because it requires refrigeration. It was a struggle to get water, electricity and cable service without a physical address.
But many don’t see the need for street addresses, even in modern times when people increasingly use their addresses to shop online and get important legal documents.
“I was born in Carmel 67 years ago. I grew up with no street addresses, and it’s just something you’re used to,” life-long resident Grant Johnson said outside the post office. “That’s one of the charms of Carmel. It’s one of the stories we get to tell.”
Those opposed include the mayor, who voted against the measure.
“If it’s not broke, don’t fix it,” Mayor Dave Potter said during an interview at his home. “I just don’t think it’s necessary. I mean, honestly, we’ve lived this way for 100 years. We don’t need them.”
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’s 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’t 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’s quaintness.
“I’ve lived here so long, I’ve kind of forgotten what it’s like to have mail delivered, so it doesn’t bother me,” resident Virginia Crapo said. “I think it’s more communal when you have to come down to the post office to get your mail because you can see your neighbors.”
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’t over. In November, residents will vote for city councilmembers and a mayor who will determine the fate of whether to issue addresses to residents.
“This is a very political issue, and I don’t know what will happen after the election, but I hope that the new council will continue to stay the course,” said Councilmember Jeff Baron, who is running for mayor and voted for street addresses.
Others agree it’s time to join the modern world.
“I don’t think street numbers will ruin the charm,” said part-time resident Bruce Edwards, who was picking up mail from his post office box. “I’m 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.”
veryGood! (274)
Related
- Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
- Why Matt Bomer Stands by His Decision to Pass on Barbie Role
- Nevada grand jury indicts six Republicans who falsely certified that Trump won the state in 2020
- What is aerobic exercise? And what are some examples?
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- 1000-Lb. Sisters’ Tammy Slaton Returns Home After 14-Month Stay in Weight Loss Rehab
- Democratic bill with billions in aid for Ukraine and Israel fails to clear first Senate hurdle
- Say Anything announces 20th anniversary concert tour for '...Is a Real Boy' album
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- Which college has won the most Heisman trophies? It's a four-way tie.
Ranking
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Lawsuit accuses Sean Combs, 2 others of raping 17-year-old girl in 2003; Combs denies allegations
- Jill Biden and military kids sort toys the White House donated to the Marine Corps Reserve program
- They're not cute and fuzzy — but this book makes the case for Florida's alligators
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- 49ers LB Dre Greenlaw, Eagles head of security Dom DiSandro exchange apology
- Indonesia ends search for victims of eruption at Mount Marapi volcano that killed 23 climbers
- Did you get a credit approval offer from Credit Karma? You could be owed money.
Recommendation
Google unveils a quantum chip. Could it help unlock the universe's deepest secrets?
Democracy activist Agnes Chow says she still feels under the Hong Kong police’s watch in Canada
J Balvin returns to his reggaeton roots on the romantic ‘Amigos’ — and no, it is not about Bad Bunny
Sundance Film Festival 2024 lineup features Kristen Stewart, Saoirse Ronan, Steven Yeun, more
North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
Russian schoolgirl shoots several classmates, leaving 1 dead, before killing herself
A Netherlands court sets a sentencing date for a man convicted in Canada of cyberbullying
An apocalyptic vacation in 'Leave The World Behind'