Could 44 tiny condos find home behind grocery?

Greg Ellis sees big things ahead for La Conner by going small.

The Shelter Bay resident and Braves Club after-school program volunteer, who submitted plans for seven full-sized homes behind Pioneer Market in 2021, now proposes constructing tiny condos there.

“I want to do the best thing I can for the community,” Ellis told the La Conner Planning Commission during their 90-minute June 20 hybrid meeting at Maple Hall. “There’s such a shortage of affordable housing here, especially for a workforce.”

Ellis is revamping his plans for lots he has owned since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Increased labor and materials costs since 2020 and concerns for local workers priced out of the La Conner market led Ellis to develop a new concept for up to 44 two-story tiny residential units on the site, at the northwest corner of Whatcom and Washington streets.

“I was going to build seven homes at $500,000,” Ellis said, “but then costs doubled with COVID.”

The units would be in the 400-square-foot range.

Planning Director Michael Davolio said that staff are reviewing Ellis’ proposal and need to determine if his application is complete. He said a pre-application meeting will be scheduled with the public works and fire departments, among other participants.

“We have a lot of work to do,” Davolio said. “We want to do this in a way that nothing gets overlooked.”

While his plans are not final, Ellis envisions the site as the hub of a walking community.

He has designed placement of a row of up to 20 short-term rental units along the north edge of the property that would buffer noise from the grocery store and Firehall Kitchen and Taphouse.

Ellis said placing short-term rentals there makes sense because permanent residents would likely not want to live so close to a bustling commercial area.

He said the property would be enhanced by “edible landscaping” featuring gardens, fruit trees and berries. He calls the location ideally suited for those without vehicles, within walking distance of employers, retail stores and necessary services.

Ellis is confident the tiny homes will meet Town historic design standards, though it is in the Historic Preservation District. He is seeking a contract rezone.

“These homes,” Ellis said, “are designed to look good. It would be very aesthetically pleasing. It would be nice and affordable.”

Ellis has shared his project plan with the town council, which referred it to the planning commission. Davolio said the commission will schedule a public hearing on the project prior to forwarding it to Town Hearing Examiner David Lowell.

Lowell will then make a recommendation to the council, which Davolio said will decide on the proposal.