Commission plans busy spring

Work came to a near standstill for the La Conner planning commission as 2021 wound down, with successive meeting cancellations in October, November and December. The commission did not meet until Feb. 15.

Davolio told commissioners that they can expect to review several project applications at their March 15 session, including the housing development proposed behind Pioneer Market and the apartment building planned for Fourth and Center streets behind The Slider Café.

“After a couple of months at the end of last year where there wasn’t much going on,” Davolio said during the commission’s Zoom monthly meeting, “you’re going to be busy.”

The Town planning department received a record 99 permit submissions last year, he noted.

“Despite the number of permits, we’re not overwhelmed,” he insisted, quipping that the workload “keeps me off the streets.”

Noting the flurry of permit applications, Commission chair Marna Hanneman asked if a building moratorium would allow taking a breath. Davolio said town council decides that and doubted it could affect processing applications.

Commissioners voted unanimously to forward to the council recommendations of approval for 2021 municipal code updates and the new parks element of La Conner’s comprehensive plan.

“I am eternally grateful for the help I got on this from Ollie Iversen,” said Davolio, noting the parks commission chair helped him locate various park locations.

No one commented during public hearings on the code updates and parks element proposals, first discussed by the commission last fall.

“We’ve been through the code amendments several times,” stressed Bruce Bradburn, immediate past chair.

The updates have cleared the state Department of Commerce. They focus on fire safety, the Town’s historic preservation review process and parking regulations.

Davolio again brought up reviewing La Conner’s sign code. He also flagged the town and Port of Skagit discussing new development at La Conner Marina, a process that will include La Conner Hook & Ladder’s input on building height restrictions.

“I want to get the fire department involved early on so that we can allow development to occur safely,” Davolio said.

The Port, he added, wants to allow residential uses within commercial areas at the marina.

Hanneman asked about the security fencing placed around the perimeter of the vacant former Moore-Clark building on the south end waterfront.

“My understanding,” Davolio responded, “is there was concern about the stability of the building and the fencing went up to protect the public.”

Hanneman noted applications from people interested in filling the commission’s current vacancy.

“It will be nice to have a fifth member,” she said.

Davolio said the Town has been working with developer Greg Ellis on his proposal to build homes behind Pioneer Market at Whatcom and Washington streets.

“I do anticipate this will be at the next meeting. I’m looking at preparing a staff report that goes through the project lot by lot.”

The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community and state agencies will be part of the process related to proposed new development below Snapdragon Hill, that during past work there. “Things were found that indicated there might have been some tribal activity at that site,” Davolio reported.

Hanneman said March 15, their next meeting, is her birthday.

“If it’s a live meeting,” Davolio vowed, “we’ll bring a cake.”