Planning commission hearing has Part 2 Oct. 4

The La Conner Town Planning Commission public hearing on municipal code and zoning map changes was the talk of the town last week.

That talk will continue Oct. 4.

Following lengthy discussions over changes sought by The Port of Skagit at La Conner Marina and several potential development regulation updates, commissioners, upon the recommendation of planner Michael Davolio, opted to continue the Sept. 20 hearing another two weeks.

Those unable to attend next Tuesday can submit written comments to Town Hall by Sept. 29 for inclusion in the meeting packet.

The hearing, coupled with a Town forum the night before, has given residents and elected officials an opportunity to focus on La Conner’s future. Still, lifelong resident Bruce Cornwall asked commissioners and other local leaders to not lose sight of the community’s time-honored bedrock values.

“Fifty years ago,” Cornwall reminded the three dozen or so people crammed into the Maple Hall meeting room, “the town’s waterfront was lined with fishing boats. How many fishing boats are in La Conner today?”

Cornwall urged against enacting policies that “edge people out who are here for other peoples’ visions.”

Port of Skagit Planning and Development Director Helen Rogerson opened with proposals for modifying industrial zoning to restrict allowed uses at La Conner Marina to maritime ventures.

She reiterated the Port’s request for permitting 60-foot buildings, a move opposed by those citing local firefighting equipment that is limited to 30-foot structures.

On that point, Davolio told commissioners that the La Conner fire department is “fine with 60-feet as long as it’s a single-story building, which is what the Mavrik Marine Building is,” while former council member Stuart Welch suggested that the Port, as a public entity, “should be paying for fire protection for that building.”

Mavrik Marine owner Zach Battle, noting his business provides more than 100 living wage jobs, expressed support for both the Town’s interests and the Port’s zoning initiatives.

Resident Debbie Aldrich, as did others, counseled caution.

“I’m not opposed to building boats,” said Aldrich. “I love boats. But we need to watch these heights.”

The conversation shifted to housing, a proposed reduction from 25 feet to 15 feet of the Town agricultural setback requirement and local quality of life issues in general.

Greg Ellis, who has plans to develop housing behind Pioneer Market, endorsed the tiny homes concept.

“More than 50 percent of the population can’t afford to buy any kind of house,” Ellis noted. “We should allow tiny homes here so our kids can afford to live in the community.”

Several people feared that an agricultural setback reduction could create safety hazards and conflicts between what resident Bob Raymond termed “patio people versus farmland.”

Former planning commission member Linda Talman, Zooming in from Atlanta – where she was babysitting – asked commissioners to think in terms of a toddler scooting across a patio to watch a tractor.

Fifteen feet, she said, would be much too close.

“The setback,” Talman said, “shouldn’t go to anything less than 25 feet.”

La Conner organic farmer Dave Hedlin, a founder of Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland, pointed out that ag setbacks used to be 50 feet.

“The big thing for me,” said Hedlin, “is to urge caution and thoughtfulness. Our farm depends on having good relations with everyone. So, I urge careful thought.”

Hedlin also shared a couple of his famous “Dave-isms.”

“Bring your patio chairs out to the farm,” said Hedlin, tongue firmly planted in his cheek, “and I’ll drive a tractor and plow by you and see what your thoughts are.

“Back during the Green Revolution,” he added, “everybody worried about what we sprayed on our crops. Now I worry about people spray on their rose bushes.”

Amy McFeely, who resides on South Fourth Street, addressed prepared remarks to the Port, Davolio, the planning commission and town council that touched on inclusion and quality of life standards.

“La Conner’s Neighborhood Conservation Goal,” she said, “clearly states the role of codes in our development. (It is to) encourage a balanced and organized combination of open space, commercial, industrial, recreation and public uses served by a convenient and efficient transportation network, while protecting the fabric and character of residential neighborhoods.”

McFeely provided emphasis on the final nine words.

She acknowledged the difficult work undertaken by the planning commission and council.

“Work with our community to change this climate of contention and litigation,” she implored. “Help us build a vision for an inclusive, innovative, climate resilient and sustainable La Conner that will stand solid against the tide of outdated urbanization and suburbanization.

“Design the codes,” McFeely advised, “to protect that exemplary vision and demand that developers meet those codes.”

After an hour it was clear that still more was left to be said. Thus, the decision to continue the public hearing.

Commission Chair Marna Hanneman applauded the move, saying La Conner’s future merits continued study.

“What’s the long-term vision for the town?” Hanneman asked. “That’s what’s really important. What will La Conner look like in 25 or 50 years. How will the town change? That’s what we’re concerned about.”