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Construction of the first two homes on La Conner Heights began at the start of June. The structures are visible on the property residents long called Snapdragon Hill east of Whatcom Street and south of Hill Street, near Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

BYK Construction of Sedro Woolley, as Snapdragon Hills Estate, LLC, owns the property, platted as seven lots on the newly constructed High Street. The two houses under construction are each over 2,600 square feet. "I know the size seems large but a lot of retirees have larger homes and this is considered downsizing for them," Paul Woodmansee, BYK Construction president, told the Weekly News. He terms the style northwest modern.

The development is marketed as "luxury homes features fee simple lots with 360-degree views" by Windemere Real Estate, Anacortes. The website states " homes starting at $1M."

He wrote that larger homes were planned but they have been redesigned. The stress remains on the view, with the homes offering "airy living spaces, walls of glass" and the natural beauty of farm fields and Skagit Bay states the Windemere website.

The structures are visible from Maple Avenue, Whatcom Street and Caledonia Street lookinf up Park Street. Construction is on-schedule with a fall 2024 completion date.

The last homes will take up to three years to complete, based on market condition, Woodmansee states. He describes prospective buyers as active retirees looking "to be out of the larger county areas but also be close to the boating and walkable environment that La Conner provides." La Conner amenities, from shopping and dining to the marina and museums are emphasized.

The homes are not yet listed. Pre-purchasing is an option.

At its June 13 town council meeting, residents complained about loud construction noise at 6:45 a.m., well before the Town's 8 a.m. required start time. Code Enforcement Officer Aaron Reinstra, following Mayor Ramon Hayes lead, said he would meet with construction staff. He emailed the Weekly News June 26 that he did that, reminding the foreman of the town's start and stop times on June 14. Neighboring residents told him that the early noise had not been repeated.

Woodmansee noted "noise is always a big deal" and asked to be contacted directly with complaints at

[email protected].

BYK Construction bought the property in June 2021 for $ 1.57 million from C.J. Ebert, Skagit County assessor records show. Ebert bought the property in late 2019 from brothers David and Michael Bird's family.

Ebert retains ownership of property at Park and Hill streets and Maple Avenue and is developing Snapdragon Flats, two triplex apartments.