First Street will switch to one-way

The La Conner Town Council last week chose to forego the path of least resistance when dealing with future downtown traffic flow and parking.

Rather than table action and extend discussion of options for S. First Street, council members voted 4-0 during their May 14 meeting at Maple Hall to convert the historic and narrow route along the town’s popular waterfront to single lane one-way traffic with parking on both sides. Councilor Ivan Carlson was absent.

Town Planner Michael Davolio suggested the change go into effect this fall, which would give time to install new directional street signage.

The main factor pushing the new plan was safety, especially to get emergency rigs through tighter space as regular vehicles grow in size.

La Conner Fire Chief Aaron Reinstra had strongly recommended one-way southbound traffic on S. First Street, noting that his department responds on average to two downtown emergency service calls per month. He said neighboring fire departments endorsed the one-way option.

Davolio indicated that the width of S. First Street combined with the larger size of newer vehicles makes the case for one-way downtown traffic flow.

“It’s clear to me the present situation doesn’t meet any standard – state or federal – that makes sense,” he said.

Mayor Marna Hanneman said public input has favored one-way traffic with parking on both sides of the street.

“Merchants don’t want one-side parking,” Hanneman said, “and people don’t want paid parking on First Street.”

Hanneman said safety is her primary concern.

Councilor Mary Wohleb, who ultimately voted in favor of the plan, voiced fears that one-way traffic on S. First Street could lead to increased congestion in residential neighborhoods. Councilor MaryLee Chamberlain asked about the feasibility of forbidding left turns onto Second Street from Commercial.

Reinstra suggested holding off on a no-left turn designation from Commercial to Second Street until further traffic data can be collected.

Skagit County Sheriff’s Sgt. Brad Holmes expressed doubt that a no-left turn approach would work anyway.

Town Public Works Director Brian Lease said the matter can be monitored going forward.

“If you make this change and see more traffic on Second Street, then you can go with a no-left turn,” he said.

Councilor Annie Taylor noted possible impacts on post office parking.

“That’s an excellent point to walk through,” Hanneman said.

Chamberlain, in seconding the motion to approve the one-way traffic plan, requested more traffic data be collected prior to its implementation. Davolio concurred.

“The next step is that we come back with a detailed plan,” Davolio said.

Reinstra said the plan’s success will hinge in great part on signage.

“I think signage is going to be the key,” he said. “It’s going to have to be super clean.”

In other council business:

- Wohleb, a founder of the Skagit Valley Clean Energy Cooperative, said resident John Stephens has suggested a solar farm be considered for the south end Jenson Property.

- Hanneman said she recently had a productive conversation with Swinomish Indian Tribal Community Senate chair Steve Edwards and invited him to attend town council meetings when possible.

- The mayor said the historic Garfield Masonic Lodge Building at Third and Benton, location of the La Conner Sunrise Food Bank, will be put up for sale “at some point,” putting the fate of the food bank in doubt. “We don’t know what’s going to happen with the food bank,” she said. “We want the food bank to stay there. It serves about 480 people a week and is a very fine-tuned operation.”