Residents' input on comp plan update sought

Town officials are charged with regularly updating La Conner’s comprehensive plan, the document that determines community goals and aspirations going forward.

But the plan’s new verbiage won’t consist of their words alone.

Residents are having a say in the process, Planning Director Michael Davolio and Assistant Planner Ajah Eills assured planning commissioners – including the panel’s newest member, Summer Holt – last week.

Davolio and Eills visited the La Conner Senior Center recently to outline details and field questions.

“We had some interesting conversations,” Eills told commissioners during their June 20 hybrid meeting at Maple Hall. “We’re looking to include a lot of their insights into the comp plan.”

About two dozen people attended the presentation, Davolio said.

Commissioner Marna Hanneman noted a public forum there in January brought much constructive input.

The senior center dialogue included housing, sea level rise, climate change and transportation issues, staff reported, with housing, as is so often the case in La Conner-centric conversations, emphasized.

“We talked about ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units),” said Davolio, “and how older people can build an ADU and rent out their main home.”

The discussion didn’t end there.

“We anticipate getting more questions on this as the year goes forward,” said Eills.

The commissioners had plenty of housing questions of their own.

Chair Carol Hedlin asked about regulating short-term rentals.

“It’s all about striking a balance,” said Davolio. “As a town that attracts tourists, you want to accommodate them (with short-term rentals). But when you have small neighborhoods, you wouldn’t necessarily want that. Short-term rentals are allowed in the commercial zone, but people will argue that we need more commercial than residential uses there. Again, it’s about striking a balance.”

A major criticism of short-term rentals is they reduce local permanent housing options. Another issue is what time limit should be imposed on short-term rentals. Is 30 days preferable, or something longer?

Commissioner Bruce Bradburn pointed out some people prefer wintering in warmer environs and can defray travel costs and protect against burglaries if their homes are occupied by tenants.

“A lot of folks like to go to Arizona in the winter,” said Bradburn. “Might it not be better that their house not be vacant and to have someone in it who will go to restaurants and shop in stores here?”

“Right now,” Davolio said, “we don’t have any clear language in our code. “I’m definitely open to suggestions.”

Hanneman cautioned careful study. “We’ve got to be respectful of the possibilities beyond what we might anticipate,” she said.