Welcome to the Carmel Residents Association WebsiteSince 1987, the Carmel Residents Association has been the premier community civic non-profit organization for full and part-time residents and owners or renters in Carmel-by-the-Sea and everyone who cares for and wants to stay connected to everything in our "Village in the Forest by the Sea". You can now also join, renew and make donations to the CRA, register and pay for CRA-sponsored events and much more, all online. Click here for a more detailed overview. Why should you join or renew? Here's why. CRA's - The Voice, News You Can Use, Events and More Upcoming & Ongoing "Hot Topics" We've compiled important history and background information on these pages. Each of these receive frequent updates as these initiatives continue to receive Council or Board/Commission updates via City Teams. Please check them out and provide your suggestions and comments. * Architecture in Carmel - Design Traditions Project - Public Steering Committee meetings are continuing, the most recent meeting was May 26th (all listed with links to documents and recordings on our page). At the June 6th City Council the potential reinstatement of the Design Review Board was discussed and overall update on the Design Traditions Project.
* Housing Element & RHNA Challenges - The recent Ad Hoc, City Council and Planning Commission meeting was May 24th in city hall to review suggested housing sites, policies & programs. All prior meetings information, background and push back possibilities are on our CRA Housing page. And visit the City's project website homecarmelbythesea.com. HERE is the Draft 2023-2031 6th Cycle Housing Element Update as of June 5, 2023, for a 30-day public comment period with a public input meeting scheduled June 15th as a Joint Council & Planning Commission meeting at Carpenter Hall, then again is a topic at the July 11th regular City Council meeting where proposed updates will be reviewed.
* ADU Ordinance (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Update coming soon. Updates are required to reflect State mandates with our local ordinances and Design Guidelines.
* Parking and Traffic Management Project - We hope you were able to attend one of the May public input session. Visit this new city webpage on this initiative and submit your questions here. The next public update with findings and recommendations is targeted for the September 12th City Council Meeting.
* Wireless/Telecom Ordinance - Special Planning Commission and public draft review meeting was held March 29th with citizen funded attorney, Andrew Campanelli presentation and great Commissioner and Community feedback provided. The July Planning Commission is targeted for the next review of the draft ordinance(s). Visit our page for background and details. * 5th&Dolores (aka Ulrika Plaza and The Pit) - Update to plans are received and posted on this page - targeting approval at August regular Planning Commission meeting. Plus the plans for the 7th&Dolores (JB Pastor Building) are also posted - that targets the July Historic Resource Commission for their approval. Both of these projects are by Esperanza Carmel. The Voice - May-June 2023 HERE Articles include: Four Seasons of Carmel, Changing Faces at CRA, Some Come and Go - While the Pine Cone Continues, A Moving Experience - Guest Contributor, CRA Beach Gathering Sunday June 11th , Feast in the Forest - OPA! - Saturday September 9th, Paid Parking & Traffic Management, CRA Survey Coming in June, Enjoying Carmel Activities, Salute to Fred, Welcome David, Who's on First - Sacramento or Carmel? and more. News You Can Use - May May 30 Issue HERE Articles include: Voice May/June Voice Issue, FY 2023/2024 Budget Updates & City Council topics too, Highlights from CRA Annual Meeting, Findings from May 24th Housing/RHNA Community Meeting - with important June 15th Draft Housing Element Meeting reminder, Recent City Events, CRA Beach Gathering June 11th, and Events through the Summer for your enjoyment too. And check out our Updated "Carmel Eats & Drinks" Listing HERE. ...as of 10/18/2022 Archives of all of these email and printed publications can be found HERE. For Your Upcoming CRA Calendar:
Plus you can always find us at the CRA Beach Clean Up - every 3rd Saturday at the bottom of Ocean avenue from 9:30-Noon. And the at the Carmel Weekly Farmers Market - but only on the last Thursday of each Month at a Community Table. Be sure to stop by and chip in!
CRA's & Carmel's Past EventsMay 18th was our CRA Members-Only Annual Meeting - where we held a Q&A Session with Chip & Dave (our Village Mayor Dave Potter and Administrator Chip Rerig). We also honored Café Carmel as our Carmel Business of the year and our Carmel Public Library with a Lifetime Achievement. More details and past years programs can be found here.
 Apr 19 - Mock City Council Session. CRA Board Members Ken White & Graeme Robertson supported the City Council, City Staff and Carmel High School (CHS) Leadership to create this Student Government Day. 12 CHS Students engaged in a serious relevant (and definitely humorous) meeting for our annual budget approval. HERE. Here is the YouTube Video from this year! TWO Fun in Devendorf (yes, pun intended) Apr 20 - "Third Thursday" in Devendorf Park - City Activities & Farmers Market teams host this every third Thursday April through October, with Fun, Food, Music and Activities for all. Your CRA Board Members hosted the adult beverages section this month. Good times had by all. Plus April 22nd was was Carmel's Annual Earth Day Celebration, tree planting, activities and more, also in Devendorf Park. Apr 5th - CRA's Members Only No-Host Gathering was held at La Balena (Junipero between 5th & 6th), with a small but mighty crowd! This and prior No-Host Gatherings pictures plus, can be found HERE.
Mar 26 - Citizen of the Year Celebration - was our biannual award & recognition program celebration. For more information on our program this year and Donna Jett as well as the past 2021 year program, nomination process and prior honorees please visit this page HERE. Fred Bologna, President of CRA says "Donna is an extraordinary example of a sustained committed volunteer for our Village. With over 25 years on nonprofit boards and event leadership, her contributions are almost too many to mention. ... We are pleased to add her to our honor role of Citizens of the Year."   Feb 22 - CRA Hosts, the coauthor of "Humbled, How Monterey Bay Escaped Industrial Ruin" with Katheryn McKenzie. This program showcased the power of local environmental activists. Full program details are available HERE. The YouTube link is HERE. Feb 2 - CRA's No-Host Gathering at Seventh & Dolores. Once again a great gathering! All of our recent No-Hosts & pictures are shown HERE. Sadly, the CRA family extends our warmest thoughts to all of the Family and Friends of Skip Lloyd who passed in March of 2023. Skip was a co-founder of Carmel Residents Association and its President in 1989. He was a Carmel and area Champion throughout his life and will be missed with lasting memories. Learn more about Skip HERE. Jan 26 - CRA proudly Hosted "Experience the Monterey Bay as Seen by early California Artists" at the Carmel Woman's Club. This program celebrates our area's natural beauty through renowned local painters, as presented by locals professor Cynthia Weick and artist/gallery owner Joaquin Turner. Program YouTube Video is available HERE. Full program details and pictures are available HERE. Dec 9 2022 - We help our Annual CRA Members Holiday Gala & Dinner at La Playa once again! Details HERE. Great times, with Board Member Kilts, Two winners of $1000 of wine, and a toast for Graham & Moira's upcoming nuptials! UPDATE - our 2023 Gala date will be Saturday Dec 2nd - details coming in September here. Nov 3rd 2022 - CRA's No0Host Gathering was held at Edwin's - corner of San Carlos & 6th. Pictures and details of all of our No-Hosts are available HERE. Oct 31 2022 - Halloween - CRA Board, our Members & the whole Community marched in the Carmel-by-the-Sea Anniversary Parade. A grand time had by all! Adults and Kids alike! Pictures from this year and 2021 can be found here. Sadly Carmel lost a former Mayor, former CRA Board Member, Citizen of the Year and long term champion for our Village on 10/31/2022 - Charlotte Townsend, may she Rest In Peace. Video interview and 4 articles on Charlotte's life and times are available on this page. She will be missed. Oct 19 2022- CRA Hosts - John Sanders with new insights on 17 Mile Drive and Del Monte Hotel. The program YouTube video, photos and presentation details are all available Here Sept 21 2022 - CRA Hosts - Our 17th Biannual CANDIDATES FORUM - at the Carmel Woman's Club - Click on image below for the YouTube Video and more content, contact details are all available Here Sept 11 2022 - CRA Members Only Beach Party - Here are the details and photos, a great time had by all.
May 19 2022 - CRA's Annual Meeting We gather yearly to update on CRA Board, Leadership, Programs and most importantly to hear YOUR in-person feedback. Fred also announced our amazing new CRA Board Members - Janice & Mike, plus presented Elpidia & Carlos Herrera of 5th Avenue Deli with a Business of Recognition Award. This Members Only meeting was held at the Carmel Youth Center, with Food & Wine and time to catch up with fellow members too. More details and pictures are available HERE. April 21 2022- CRA Board Members Ken White and Graeme Robertson coordinated with City Council, City Staff and Carmel High School (CHS) Leadership to create this Student Government Day, HERE. 12 CHS Students engaged in a Mock City Council Session with serious relevant and humorous topics for budget approval. And thanks to all who contributed to this great next generation engagement! Hopefully this is an annual event. For sure this is a do not miss YouTube viewing HERE. March 24 2022 - CRA Hosted - Future of Architecture in Carmel with Brandon Swanson - Brandon, our Carmel Director of Planning and Building provided updates on the new state regulations and regional requirements for additional housing in our Village. YouTube recording of this great session is HERE. PDF of Brandon's slide presentation is HERE. And the full program details are available click here. CRA Beach Clean Up Season - every 3rd Saturday at 9:30AM - See You Next In MayThis year marks our 30th Anniversary of this great community volunteer event. We are starting a month early this year, beginning in March through October. Farmers Market Serving Carmel Area - WeeklyThursdays - from 10 AM to 2 PM In Carmel by the Sea - just behind Devendorf Park on Sixth Avenue between Junipero and Mission Streets on 6th. PLUS - CRA leadership hosts the Community Table there at the corner of 6th and Junipero - EVERY LAST THURSDAY of EACH MONTH! (taking off Nov & Dec) Please stop by to pick up your reusable, free "Loving Carmel-by-the-Sea" shopping bag. Enjoy local certified organic fresh farm produce, plants, fresh cut flowers, baked good and various specialty items...and some entertainment too. Please Support our VIP Business MembersTake a look at the list of the local businesses with offers for our membership that are participating in the CRA's Village Incentive Program here. All current CRA members receive a yearly new VIP card with their renewal or when they join. For more information on this program and membership benefit visit this page.
Carmel Chamber of Commerce Catalyst NewsletterSign Up for the Chamber's Catalyst online newsletters here. It provides great information on and to our valued local Businesses. Sign up for the Weekly Carmel Friday LetterOur Village City Administrator and Staff produce a weekly update with a highlight video and other key info on the current week and week to come. Be sure to signup for this important information here and check out past issues there too. More...As always, please stay safe and healthy. Thank you for working to keep our community strong. (see Carmel Code) |
