Planning commissioners tour La Conner Maritime Services

La Conner Planning Commissioners last week got a closer, on-the-ground look at long-range Port of Skagit plans for the northern industrial area of La Conner Marina.

The five-members held a special Oct. 3 public meeting at La Conner Maritime Services, a well-established marina tenant eyeing future expansion to meet market trends.

Port staff, including Executive Director Sarah Young, joined commissioners, residents and Town Administrator Scott Thomas on an afternoon walking tour of the La Conner Maritime grounds on Pearle Jensen Way.

La Conner Maritime General Manager Isaac Oczkewicz conducted the informal one-hour session, which also offered indoor glimpses of the firm's boat services and repair facilities.

Oczkewicz said the company, which has about 30 employees, would like to construct a 42-foot-tall building to accommodate larger vessels brought in on travel lifts. La Conner Maritime has been in discussions with the Port, which in turn has made application to the Town for consideration of zoning changes at the marina, he said.

Marina Harbormaster Chris Omdahl, praised the company midway through the tour.

"From what I'm told," said Omdahl, "they have the best setup on the West Coast for Volvo engines."

The La Conner Maritime scenario reflects the Port's desire to see zoning modified at the marina to narrow uses in the industrial area to maritime ventures. The Port is also requesting allowing new construction of up to 60 feet in height.

"We're looking for some flexibility for our boat builders," said Port Director of Planning and Development Heather Rogerson.

"Some things in the present code," she noted, "seem to be outdated."

Young echoed that sentiment.

"We would like to create better efficiency for this tight footprint in our marine industrial area," Young said. "We want to make more efficient use of our available land."

La Conner residents Linda Talman, Bob Raymond and Jim Matthews posed occasional questions during the more laid-back session, different from a regular meeting at Maple Hall.

Talman, citing past issues from a prior marina-based boat-building operation, sought and received assurances that the public would be protected from excessive fiberglass emissions if La Conner Maritime were to expand.

"We have relatively little use of fiberglass here," Oczkewicz said.

"Everything has to go through a stringent regulatory process," added Scott Peterson, Port director of business development and real estate, "and those regulations are getting set higher all the time."