Fitness club in former COA gets support at hearing

The couple planning to open a martial arts studio and fitness club on Maple Avenue at Washington Street didn’t face much of a fight when the project went before Town Hearing Examiner David Lowell last week.

Tracy and April Emmanuelson-Barnett received overwhelming support during a well-attended one-hour public hearing on their application for a permit to revamp the former COA building on Maple Avenue. It has been vacant for two years after having been operated as restaurants since the 1970s, a non-conforming use in a residential zone.

Lowell said afterward that he expects to rule within a few weeks on the Barnetts’ conditional use permit.

Town planning staff has recommended that the permit be approved subject to the applicants meeting 10 mandated conditions.

The permit process was made necessary because the building – known to locals of a certain age as the old Joe’s Drive-In – had not been used as a restaurant for more than six months. Had the applicants applied to open another restaurant there they would’ve been required to obtain a variance rather than a conditional use permit.

Lowell has plenty of favorable public input to weigh prior to rendering his decision. Concerns voiced earlier, including letters in the Weekly News, over the loss of a residential property rarely surfaced.

Several supporters, including residents living near the proposed gym site, stressed the merits of martial arts training and its positive effect on physical and emotional well-being.

“Housing is important,” said resident Kara Stamback, alluding to the local housing crisis, but noted that “we also have a crisis of health.”

She said the gym would be a healthy addition to La Conner on many levels.

“I’m excited for our family to be able to do something together,” Stamback said.

“Everything April does,” she insisted, “breathes community.”

Neighbor Daniel Castillo, a former La Conner High School industrial arts teacher, said that he benefitted from martial arts instruction.

“It builds a great deal of self-confidence,” Castillo recalled, “and it can teach a lot of self-discipline for young people who might not have the greatest mentors. And it also gets kids away from (cell phone and computer) screens.

“If it can help me,” grinned Castillo, “man, it can help anybody. I support it and plan to be the first person to sign up.”

Rick Holt, who previously studied 11 years under revered late La Conner martial arts instructor Curt McCauley, echoed Castillo’s sentiments.

“When I heard about this,” he said, “I was very excited. Martial arts can calm down unruly kids and help shy kids come out of their shells. I’m glad to hear the positive remarks here tonight. I give it my enthusiastic two-thumbs up.”

Tracy Barnett expressed willingness to address issues such as noise, exterior lighting, traffic, parking and hours of operation and meet them to the satisfaction of residents.

He said he has already conferred with Public Works Director Brian Lease and fire chief/code enforcement officer Aaron Reinstra about those matters.

Resident Dorothy Downes stressed she is not opposed to the project in commenting that a membership-only facility seems restrictive and that residential zoning in La Conner is of high value.

“I’m not opposed,” she reiterated. “These are just comments.”

Barnett said the gym “is something the community needs,” adding that “the goal of this place is to get a good workout where you can get healthy and be safe.

“We’re not competing for tourist dollars,” he continued. “We’re here for the community.”

The 10 conditions which the Barnetts must meet range from the gym facility being limited to members and guests only to requiring that all parking be onsite.

Town Planner Michael Davolio cited the Town’s conditional endorsement of the Barnetts’ application, indicating the proposed facility’s location in a residential area is appropriate.

“This project,” said Davolio, “has no negative impact on our ability to meet our housing goals.”

The Barnetts had looked longingly at the Maple and Washington location to realize their dream of opening a gym.

“We drove by that COA building several times,” Tracy Barnett said, “and noticed it was empty for quite awhile and one day, we thought, ‘Oh, this could be our gym.’