From the Mayor’s Desk:Bridging Divides: Honest Conversations for Carmel’s Future

Honoring the Past While Facing the Future

Carmel-by-the-Sea stands at a pivotal moment. Our village was shaped by visionary founders and nurtured by generations of passionate residents. From cottages with names instead of numbers to a Monterey Pine Forest with trees in unexpected places, we’ve long balanced charm with spirited debate—remember when paving Ocean Avenue stirred controversy?

Today, we face similar crossroads. As the world evolves, so must we—but without losing what makes Carmel special. Three current issues—our address system, architectural styles, and even pickleball—highlight this tension. More importantly, they show how vital it is to work through thorny topics with patience, respect, and honest conversation.

The Address Debate: Identity vs. Practicality

Carmel’s landmark-based address system is part of our charm. But in a digital, service-driven world, this tradition can be a challenge. Emergency responders, delivery drivers, and service providers often struggle to navigate it.

Supporters of standardization point to safety and efficiency. Others worry about losing what makes Carmel feel private, serene, and distinctive. The real question isn’t just about mail or GPS—it’s about how we adapt. Can we improve function without compromising character?

To answer that, we need thoughtful, inclusive dialogue. No solution will please everyone, but respectful, open-minded discussion can help us move forward.

Design and Development: Tensions and Transitions

Architecture is sparking passionate debate. Often, it centers on traditional versus modern styles. But it’s more than aesthetics—state mandates on accessory dwelling units (ADUs), fire code updates, insurance shifts, and outdated design guidelines add complexity.

Carmel has long valued a design philosophy rooted in community character. That doesn’t mean rejecting all change—it means guiding it intentionally, with input from residents and a shared commitment to our values.

This isn’t about choosing sides. It’s about shaping a future that honors our past while adapting wisely to new realities.

Pickleball: A Sound of Change

Pickleball’s rise has brought many residents joy and connection. But its distinctive sound has raised concerns among those who cherish peace and quiet.

This isn’t about right or wrong—it’s a case of competing goods: recreation versus rest. Exploring solutions like sound barriers, adjusted hours, or alternate locations requires empathy and a willingness to evolve.

Handled thoughtfully, this issue can be a model for how Carmel balances liveliness and serenity through collaboration and, done properly, can bring many visitors to town.

Building Bridges, Not Walls

Whether we’re talking about addresses, architecture, or pickleball, the deeper issue is the same: who we are and how we move forward together.

Carmel thrives when we engage rather than entrench—when we listen generously, speak with humility, and remember that good people can disagree. Let’s foster a culture where respect and cooperation are the norm. Where we value compromise over conflict and conversation over division.

Moving Forward, Together

Preserving and strengthening Carmel isn’t just about policies or plans—it’s about people. All of us, bound by a shared love for this rare and beautiful place. It means recognizing that while we may not always agree, we belong to one another in a community that’s more than the sum of its cottages and trees. We’ll face hard choices. But the answer isn’t polarization—it’s connection. It’s listening, even when it’s hard, and working together, even when it’s slow.

If we lead with empathy, creativity, and respect, we won’t just solve today’s problems—we’ll build a stronger, more resilient Carmel for tomorrow.

Let’s rise to this moment not as opponents, but as neighbors—linked by history, by hope, and by the quiet truth that Carmel is worth the effort. I believe in us. I believe in Carmel. To hear a podcast on this column go to cli.re/bridge.

Dale Byrne, Carmel Mayor

dbyrne@cbts.us