Forum set Sept. 30 for south-end area plans

La Conner's once bustling but long dormant south end industrial hub is again a center of attention.

The Beckwith Consulting Group walked through the area, including the former Moore-Clark property and engaged with the Town of La Conner's advisory commissions in developing a revitalization plan.

Residents will also be enlisted to review the scope and objectives of the grant-funded planning project, which runs through December at a Sept. 30 public meeting and through a survey that is on the town's website.

Assistant Planner Ajah Eills told La Conner's planning commissioners at their one-hour Sept. 17 session at Maple Hall that the Moore-Clark property ownership has expressed interest in redevelopment but was unable to attend the recent site walk-through.

"We need to have their buy-in," Planning Director Michael Davolio said. "We would like to have their input if it's consistent with the Growth Management Act."

Even so, Davolio said the planning work will continue, saying, "We're going to move forward with or without their participation."

Eills said that property owners must comply with zoning codes and the municipal comprehensive plan. The area covered in the study is zoned transitional commercial.

Davolio and Eills said the planning study is scheduled for completion by Dec. 31. Town officials will then spend the first half of next year addressing zoning.

Administrator Scott Thomas has said planning intends to identify potential future uses, focusing on shoreline, economic, housing and transportation issues.

The project takes into consideration the need for affordable housing and the town's long-term designs on extending South First Street to Caledonia Street, which require removal of the Moore-Clark warehouse. Staff note that the building, deemed a public safety hazard, occupies several feet of public right-of-way.

Eills said the planning project will be carried out in phases, including zoning options, the feasibility of implementing desired south-end goals and concepts, and maintaining community outreach.

The First Street discussion transitioned to the conversion of the street to one-way southbound traffic on Oct. 9.

Eills noted the public information campaign, saying, "We're really hoping that nobody is surprised by this."

The First Street plan includes converting the single block of Commercial Street in front of Maple Hall to one-way eastbound traffic.

Commissioners finished their meeting with a lengthy discussion of appointing a non-voting student representative.

"What I'd like to see, ideally, is for the school to find some way to give them (academic) credit (for serving)," Davolio said. "And if the student does well and elects to go to college, I'd like for us to provide him or her a letter of recommendation."

Commissioner Cynthia Elliott suggested that the application process reflect as closely as possible the one employed for planning commission membership.

"I'd like for it to be as consistent as it possibly can be," she said.

Commissioner Sommer Holt said she had sought input from Middle and High School Principal Christine Tripp.

Holt drafted mission and purpose statements for student representative participation on the commission based on Tripp's feedback.

Commissioners agreed that student representatives could earn a school letter for their service.

"Christine said that it would also enhance their scholarship opportunities," Holt said. "They (scholarship committees) look at that (public service) quite heavily."

Eills announced at the meeting's start that Town Hearing Examiner David Lowell has approved a conditional-use permit for a martial arts studio and fitness club at the former COA restaurant building at Maple Avenue and Washington Street.