Planning commission talks comp plan update

The Town of La Conner Planning Commission resumed it review of updates to elements of the town’s comprehensive plan at their Oct. 1 meeting in Maple Hall.

The emphasis was on changes to the land-use and transportation elements.

The downtown First Street switch to one-way southbound traffic came up, a change that went into effect today.

“I, for one, am convinced that making First Street one-way will be a tremendous advantage,” Planning Director Michael Davolio said.

Davolio and Assistant Planner Ajah Eills said that First Street traffic flow data will be collected well into 2025.

“The biggest impact,” Davolio predicted, “will be after Tulip Season next year.”

Commissioner John Leaver shared his experience of minutes earlier being forced to “play chicken” with a large vehicle he passed on his way to Maple Hall.

Regarding the transportation element, Davolio said he would like Skagit Transit to increase promotion of the routes and services it offers here.

About 8,000 vehicles enter La Conner daily via the roundabout, three-quarters of which veer south on Maple Avenue to cross the Rainbow Bridge.

Davolio noted that the land-use element is the most inclusive of the comp plan.

“So many things have their basis in the land use element,” he said.

The town, as an example, is seeking public input on uses and zoning designations for the south end area, including the old Moore-Clark warehouse and freezer building. That effort is being funded by a $45,000 planning grant from the state Department of Commerce.

Tom Beckwith, the consultant developing the plan, summarized the Sept. 30 public workshop on the project.

Beckwith and Eills reported that the forum showed support for housing.

“Just what that housing might look like will probably spark some more conversation,” Eills said.

Eills said that results now being tabulated from the forum’s breakout sessions will be presented at a future planning commission meeting.

“People seemed really engaged,” Eills said. “I thought it went pretty well. The workshop went for two-and-a-half hours, which is a long time for a Monday night. We’re trying to get a lot of different opinions. We’re pretty much reaching out to everyone we can think of.”

In addition, Eills said another public workshop will be slated later this fall. Town officials are hopeful of greater attendance and participation on the part of local merchants and business owners.

In the meantime, a detailed survey addressing south end land-use options has been posted on the town website and will remain open as long as responses are submitted, Beckwith said.

Beckwith said overtures have been made to property owner Triton-America, but, “this wasn’t on their wish list.”

Triton-America purchased the site as a favor to the late Vaughn Jolly, whose redevelopment efforts failed.

The town’s emergency management commission met prior to the planning meeting. Outgoing chair Jerry George said that a Community Emergency Management Plan should be ready for town council perusal and approval by the end of the year. At its meeting, the short-handed group – two vacancies need to be filled – studied the risk analysis section.

George said they assessed the relative probability of each listed natural disaster risk to La Conner and whether the town has the resources to meet those challenges.

Anyone interested in serving on the commission can contact Town Hall or Councilmember Rick Dole, liaison to the ­commission.