Carmel City Council to Educate on New Addressing System at October Meeting

The City Council of Carmel-by-the-Sea convened a special meeting on August 27, 2025, to discuss the ongoing workshop regarding street addresses. The meeting focused on the implications of state law concerning address changes and the community's concerns about the process.

The session began with a resident expressing gratitude for the council's efforts, highlighting the complexities involved in what initially seemed like a straightforward task of assigning house numbers. The resident, who identified as 82 years old, questioned whether the council would make formal recommendations to the city council, emphasizing that the matter is governed by state law. A council member clarified that the workshop's purpose is to educate rather than to provide direct recommendations, with a presentation planned for the city council's agenda in October.

Discussion then shifted to existing homes in Carmel-by-the-Sea that already have street addresses. It was confirmed that these addresses would remain unchanged, alleviating concerns for residents living in those homes.

Further inquiries were made regarding the logistical challenges residents might face when updating their addresses with various government agencies, such as the DMV and passport services. A council member suggested that the city could facilitate a session to assist residents in processing these changes more efficiently. The Carmel Residents Association was mentioned as a resource for residents seeking guidance on address-related issues.

The conversation also touched on the importance of maintaining billing addresses for utility services, with assurances that these would not be affected by any changes to physical addresses. Residents were encouraged to keep their current addresses on documents like driver's licenses unless a renewal was necessary.

As the meeting progressed, a resident raised the possibility of avoiding a general election regarding address changes, noting that the council might have the authority to decide without a public vote. The council member responded that the majority opinion among council members was to handle the matter internally, although this could change in the future.

The meeting concluded with a resident proposing the creation of a map for service providers that would include names and addresses, aiming to enhance communication and response times for emergency services.

Overall, the workshop highlighted the complexities of address changes in Carmel-by-the-Sea, underscoring the council's commitment to educating residents and addressing their concerns while navigating state regulations. The next steps will involve further discussions at the upcoming city council meeting in October.