The La Conner Planning Commission met on Tuesday to review the historic design components of Michael Girdner’s plans to renovate and expand the old Lighthouse Inn building on First Street.

Several of the project’s detractors were there ... and so were some who want Girdner’s plan to proceed.

The California businessman purchased the dilapidated building last year for $385,000 after it had been sitting mostly vacant since a bank took it over in 2010.

Girdner initially planned to expand the building over the entire property two stories high, including a parking lot on the north side. But...