DEL MESA CARMEL
500 DEL MESA DRIVE, CARMEL CA 93923
August 2022
The Central Coast's Premier Active Adult Community
500 Del Mesa Drive, Carmel CA 93923
DMC Neighborhoods
Emergency Readiness - Landscaping - Defensible Space - Community
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Managed by GM Tea Yengst, with support from DMC residents, Mimi Robinson, John Rude, Anne-Marie Abadir, Barbara Edler and Gilbert Converset.
Del Mesa is like a little city on a hill. Like other cities, it has a main street, a downtown and neighborhoods. Just as a city is governed by a mayor and city manager, Del Mesa has a Board president, Board of Directors, and a General Manager. And Del Mesa residents, a skilled staff of managers and workers, and committee volunteers interact as a collaborative community.
Studies show that being actively involved in a community improves health, happiness and longevity. A neighborhood should essentially be a friendly, comfortable, informal, relaxed place where you can get information and even support for all sorts of reasons. Having neighbors is a form of safety.
Del Mesa has established a new Neighborhood Program to increase resident safety, knowledge and sense of community. The program is based on Del Mesa’s historical neighborhood communities, and includes 11 neighborhoods, each with a Resident Leader(s) guiding the effort for their neighborhood.
​Background
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When Del Mesa was built in the late 1960’s, the developers and architect Hideo Sasaki were awarded prizes for design of the site. They cleverly situated the homes so most of them have access to views. Homes were built in a series of loops upward and downward from the mesa where the Clubhouse, pool and bowling green stand. The design ends with a dramatic rise to the top of another flat mesa. Ultimately, it is the topography, as well as the wind corridors, sun exposure and microclimates of Del Mesa that define our neighborhoods.
The Building & Grounds and EPC Committees decided to revive the idea of neighborhoods with the intent of reaching beyond the emergency readiness to include fire wise landscape renovation. It is a new reality which demands immediate attention to create fire safety and address drought. California’s “Defensible Space” laws require transformation of Del Mesa’s landscape to reduce vulnerability to fires. ​
Del Mesa Neighborhood Program – Update
Barb Edler, Neighborhood Leader Program Leader
Since its launch in February, the Neighborhood Program has grown significantly, expanding from 11 to 23 leaders. Most neighborhoods now have at least two co-leaders, ensuring a strong connection within our community. Thank you to all our neighborhood leaders for stepping up and welcoming this critical role!
Our leaders have been making significant progress in contacting their neighbors through phone calls, texts, door-to-door visits, or small gatherings. They aim to foster a sense of connection while sharing important emergency preparedness information. By now, you should have heard from one of your neighborhood leaders.
Your response as residents has been outstanding! Many of you have appreciated the opportunity to know more of your neighbors, to have your questions answered, and to experience a stronger sense of community.
What does a neighborhood leader do?
Your neighborhood leader is a key point of contact for important community updates, especially regarding emergency preparedness and defensible space planning. They also act as a voice for your questions and suggestions, bringing them to the monthly leader meetings so that clear and relevant information is shared. Additionally, they can suggest helpful resources and tips to ensure you feel prepared in an emergency.
Why is it essential to complete the Resident Emergency Information Form?
The Resident Emergency Information Form helps us keep vital contact information current. This information is strictly confidential and may be used only in an emergency by your neighborhood leader, Del Mesa’s General Manager, or emergency responders. By completing this form, you’re helping us ensure we have the most current phone numbers, emails, pet names, and emergency contacts for you and your household. If you haven’t already done so, please return the form to your neighborhood leader as soon as possible.
Stay Connected!
In addition to hearing from your neighborhood leaders, we encourage you to stay informed by:
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Reading the monthly DMC Newsletter
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Checking updates on community bulletin boards
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Reviewing the Weekly Update emails
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Visiting the Del Mesa Resident Portal website
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Attending Board Meetings (in person or via Zoom)
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Joining Community Forums
Upcoming Community Forum
Our next Community Forum is coming up soon! The Forum covers Emergency Readiness methods and topics. Presenters will include Cypress Fire Department, Emergency Preparedness Committee members, Del Mesa Fire Marshals.
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Mark your calendars:
Monday, April 14
11:00-12:30
Redwood Room.
We hope to see you there! Thank you for being such an involved and supportive part of the Del Mesa Carmel community.