Town seeks input on short-term rentals

The status of short-term rentals will get a long look as the La Conner Town Planning Commission seek public input while updating what has become a hot button topic in La Conner.

During their discussion of the issue last week, commissioners endorsed holding a community roundtable in September and collecting comments on the Town’s website.

Assistant Planner Ajah Eills suggested the public dialogue after short-term rentals were addressed at the Aug. 1 hybrid meeting at Maple Hall.

Short-term rentals are permitted in La Conner’s commercial zone but not in residential areas.

Planning Director Michael Davolio said two schools of thought have emerged.

One supports permitting short-term rentals in residential zones as a private property right. That allows homeowners to rent out their dwellings while away on extended work-related trips or vacations, thus providing more on-premises security and potential customers for local businesses than if those houses were vacant. It offers more income for owners of multiple residences.

The other view is that short-term rentals in residential areas have a negative impact on the fabric of neighborhoods and reduce the number of permanent housing options available in a town that has long dealt with a limited housing stock.

“The planning staff has no dog in this fight,” Davolio stressed. “We’re seeking input from the public.”

Residents attending did just that.

Greg Ellis, planning a tiny house village on his property at Washington and Whatcom streets, said a row of short-term rentals there will serve as a buffer between the grocery store and restaurant on Morris Street and the permanent homes he wants to develop.

“People will put up with (commercial) noise for a night or two,” Ellis said, “but wouldn’t want to live there permanently.”

Davolio said one option would be to limit short-term rentals in high density housing areas –as Ellis proposes– to within 50 feet of commercial property.

La Conner resident Kathy Shiner cautioned that such a policy could “open a can of worms,” leading to further incremental encroachments of short-term rentals into residential areas.

Davolio vowed that won’t happen.

“We would stick to what’s in the code,” he said.

Ellis stressed that his “only reason for asking for short-term rentals is because of the commercial noise.”

Shiner asked if more teeth could be put in the Town’s noise ordinance and whether purchase of reliable sound level meters or similar devices could be pursued.

Davolio, responded to Commissioner Summer Holt that Washington state is mandating communities accommodate housing for moderate and low-income residents.

“Tiny homes,” he said, “is a way to do it,” while adding that “there are other approaches that can be taken.”

Ellis agreed, saying, “Affordable housing for families is such a challenge but there are possibilities.”

Linda Talman, a longtime resident, questioned the benefits of planning staff studying the City of Kirkland’s approach to high density housing.

“Kirkland,” said Talman, “has a population of 92,200. That’s 102 times larger than La Conner. Using what they’re doing for density is ludicrous. It’s just way too big.”

Davolio noted that with the Town’s comprehensive plan update, “we have to accommodate population projections for growth based on census data.”

Given the constraints of the Swinomish Channel and adjoining farmland, high density housing on remaining lots – especially projects with dwellings for moderate and low-income residents – promises to join short-term rentals as a topic that will be frequently revisited.

Also at the meeting:

Holt asked if a blinking light at the intersection of Sixth and Morris streets will resolve motorists failing to stop there. Shiner expressed concern with the Morris Street and Maple Avenue intersection, where out-of-town motorists sometimes fail to recognize the free left turn for vehicles entering town. “It’s a complex and dangerous intersection,” she said.

Eills said she is working with the school district to encourage student input for the comp plan update. She wrapped up the 75-minute meeting with a brief overview of state legislative action affecting housing.