California town without addresses divided over plan to issue street numbers

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After more than a century of address-free living, Carmel-By-the-Sea, a California town known for its white-sand beaches is moving ahead with a plan to assign street numbers to homes and businesses. And many long-time residents aren’t happy about it. The town’s residents and visitors must navigate a woodsy 1-square-mile 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 their mail at the U.S. post office, the only building with an official address. But street address may finally be coming to this coastal town of 3,300 residents, about 120 miles (193.12 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 a 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. But many don’t see the need for street addresses in their town, even in modern times when people increasingly use their addresses to shop online and get important legal documents. Those opposed include the mayor who voted against the measure. 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 town’s character, culture and village charm. This article was provided by The Associated Press.