Planning commission seeks more data on First St. traffic and parking

There’s no dead end when it comes to debating the future of S. First Street.

The oft-discussed topic was again the focal point among town residents and planning commissioners during a 90-minute public meeting April 2.

The last word on the subject still appears a long way off.

The panel and audience discussed one-way traffic, angled parking and retaining the status quo for the narrow street that accesses the historic waterfront and retail core. They agreed that more data is needed before forwarding recommendations to the town council.

To that end, Assistant Planner Ajah Eills will survey residents and merchants for more input on what course of action – if any – should be taken regarding South First Street.

“We’ll try our utmost to get input from both merchants and the general public,” Eills said.

Debate over S. First Street goes back decades. It’s being revisited as the commission updates the transportation element of the town’s comprehensive plan.

To date, town officials have hosted the representative of a paid parking mobile app firm who questioned why La Conner provides free parking spaces on First Street but operates a paid lot south of the business district. Fire Chief Aaron Reinstra voiced his safety concerns and said limiting First Street to one-way traffic would make it easier for his department to safely drive emergency vehicles downtown.

Commission chair Bruce Bradburn said that vehicles manufactured today are wider than those built a generation ago. It makes for tighter squeezes on First Street with parallel parking on both sides.

Commissioner Cynthia Elliott introduced last week’s dialogue by listing some potential actions on South First Street. Those include making no changes; closing the street to traffic completely, partially or seasonally; allowing two-way traffic with parallel parking on one side only; designating one-way traffic southbound from Morris or Washington streets with two-side parallel parking; and shifting to one-way traffic with back-in angle parking on one side only.

Residents expressed concern that any significant change to First Street traffic flow would impact the hilltop Second Street neighborhood. New signs would also be required to direct traffic toward Caledonia Street.

“It would be complicated,” said Second Street resident Madeleine Roozen. She suggested the survey, especially for merchants unable to attend public meetings.

“Send them something they can respond to,” she said. “They should be communicated with. It would be a courtesy for a little town like ours. This isn’t Seattle.”

Resident and former planning commissioner Linda Talman said updating the comp plan’s transportation element doesn’t require a specific strategy for First Street. The plan is more of a general account of goals and policies.

“I don’t think we have to do this right now at all,” she said. “It’s not that urgent. We don’t have to put this into the transportation element.”

Eills and Reinstra have said the fire department responds to about two emergencies per month downtown. Getting large emergency vehicles down the narrow street has become an issue.

Resident Jerry George, chair of the town Emergency Management Commission, said discussing First Street traffic at length might be missing the main point. He veered toward parking.

“I think we’re asking the wrong question,” he said. “What Aaron asked for is space.”

But that’s a discussion for another day – likely after the latest town survey results are in.