Council considering changes to code

The La Conner Town Council’s three hour meeting Nov. 8 included four public hearings. A 530 p.m. 2023 budget meeting started the evening.

Three hearings, including one on the budget, were dispatched quickly. Council did not adjourn till 9 p.m., however because the 25 residents attending had a lot on their minds, first with general comments and during the hearing on amending the municipal code.

The now Heart of La Conner tourist promotion icon on Gilkey Square was “deja vu times four,” said project originator John Leaver in his lead presentation. Council granted $21,000 in hotel motel tax funds in 2021, for their then fellow council member’s plan to attract tourists.

Nancy Crowell, among many, oppose it. “It is in our historic district, in a small town square,” she said. Reflecting on fishing villages in Nova Scotia and New England, she insisted a sign is not needed there, suggesting the roundabout entering town.

Leave pushed for approval, willing to compromise on location and design. Mayor Ramon Hayes corralled the discussion, “hearing the council is not opposed to the sign, with modifications,” wrapping up 20 minutes with no decision made.

During public comment, Debbie Aldrich and Mollie Right each advocated for the Town’s planning commission meeting twice monthly, Right saying the 2025 comprehensive plan update is not that far off.

In summing up the record setting sales tax revenue report Hayes again urged caution and a savings mindset, warning of future expensive projects, predictions of reduced revenue and “major challenges coming.”

Councilmember Mary Wohleb noted the new staff hires. Ajah Eills, the assistant planner started Thursday. Lynne Lovejoy, as office assistant, is also at Town Hall.

Wohleb reported it was too expensive to repair the salmon slide at Conner Park, voicing “not to throw good money after bad.”

Four public hearings

The hearing moving municipal code amendments forward was the longest by far. Over 90 minutes the Council discussed and agreed to language, starting with maintaining 25 foot setbacks bordering agricultural property, proceeding through setting one monthly planning commission meeting, the planning commission hearing industrial zone conditional use permit applications, definitions of tiny homes and a building story, the new court establishing a marine industrial zone. Port of Skagit Planning and Development Director Heather Rogerson told Council the new zone will narrow business uses and increase building heights for future tenants.

She spoke against allowing the planning commission to get COU applications.

During public comments, Gary Nelson, told Council the Planning Commission “distinctly started” support for the 40 foot height limit in the proposed port zone, reminding council that the fire department lacks equipment and volunteer fire fighters will be endangered. Aldrich and Jim Matthews reinforced the Commissioners’ position.

Wohleb also affirmed the Commissioners’ support for the lower ceiling limit, noting “we are not Everett.”

Resident Mollie Right noted the contact getting examiner is a divorce lawyer and she trusted the Planning Commission’s ability.

Council members disagreed, Hayes summing it up: “The consensus is that it will always be the hearing examiner and the Planning Commission will be advisory, not rule but recommend.”

Council passed all the proposed changes, which go to the state Department of Commerce fire review. In December Council will vote to approve the code changes.

Most residents left at the 830 p.m. break. The other three hearings, on impact fees for developers to fund project infrastructure improvements, the 2023 budget and 2022 budget changed took less than 20 minutes. Council agreed to impact fees. No one spoke on the 2023 budget. Council agreed to grant $7,500 to the La Conner Braces Club after school program.

New business

* Council approved a 1% property tax increase, as state law allows. It will generate $3,435.

* Reappointed Craig Barber to the Art Commission.

* Updated the credit card policy.

* Approved cleaning fees for Maple Hall and the Civic Garden Club.

* Amended the budget to pay for the Jenson property, a new piano and pay off the firetruck loan, and

* Almost ended with fireworks, agreeing to $13,000 for the 2023 July 4th show.

The meeting ended at 859 p.m.