La Conner’s progress in a difficult year

I think it is safe to say that in January of 2020 none of us could have predicted a year that would fundamentally change our lives in such impactful ways. And although we are certainly not beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, we are able, at the start of 2021, to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

However, the exact length of the tunnel is still unclear.

We have walked this path together and we have learned a great deal through this process. I would like to highlight the La Conner Town Council, who made exemplary community decisions while struggling to find a balance that would protect citizens and be the least impactful to La Conner’s economy.

Yet, as with any war, there were casualties. And although there was no one reason for the business losses we sustained, it is clear they were all COVID-19 related.

I would encourage all citizens to actively and aggressively engage our local businesses. They need the community’s support now more than ever. Unfortunately, the loss of additional businesses is still a possibility.

La Conner has also seen investment into the community with new businesses opening and existing businesses choosing to expand. To support businesses through the pandemic and beyond, the La Conner Town Council, along with the efforts of some dedicated locals, started a town Facebook page with paid advertising. Since its inception in April of 2020, the page has received over 1,000,000 individual views and the town has been able to target its audience. The Facebook page advertises La Conner and directs viewers to a separate business website which represents every business within the 98257 zip code free of charge.

In addition to these efforts, in November of 2020, the La Conner Town Council approved an interlocal agreement with Skagit County and The Port of Skagit to permanently illuminate the Rainbow Bridge.

The pandemic of 2020 has taught many that one did not have to be in their downtown office to make a living, that they could remotely work from home. La Conner has, and I hope will continue to, benefitted from young working families seeking an alternative to the larger cities. It is the mix of people from all age categories and backgrounds that makes La Conner such a wonderful and eclectic community in which to live.

Available housing has become an issue for the town. The La Conner Town Council is committed to effectively managing “in fill” within our community. In 2020, the La Conner Planning Commission recommended, and the Council approved certain code modifications to assist with the housing issue.

Also, in 2020, the La Conner Town Council approved an option agreement to purchase the Hedlin Ballfield on Maple Avenue. Recognizing that they could not afford to purchase the property and retain it entirely as a park, the Council again looked to La Conner’s Comprehensive Plan for guidance as how best to proceed. In keeping with the goals of the community, the Council agreed that 25% (20,000 sq. ft.) of the Hedlin Ballfield would be retained as a park in perpetuity and the remaining 60,000 sq. ft. would be made available for housing. In December the La Conner Planning Commission recommended rezoning the Ballfield to residential. The Council will definitively decide this issue soon.

As challenging as 2020 has been, La Conner has worked hard to lay the groundwork for future success. We can all be grateful for the Council’s steady leadership and the competent Town staff who implements their decisions.

Blessings to you all in 2021