Town staff lauded for First St. change to one-way traffic

Thanksgiving came a month early for members of La Conner's planning commission.

Mayor Marna Hanneman expressed her thanks at their Oct. 15 meeting for the role they and others played in the conversion of downtown First Street to one-way southbound traffic.

"I want to thank everyone," Hanneman said at the outset of the 75-minute public session at Maple Hall. "It's a miracle. It was a team effort on First Street."

Hanneman and Fire Chief/Code Enforcement Officer Aaron Reinstra were among those who voiced support earlier this year for the traffic change. They cited public safety as a primary need, noting that newer model vehicles – which tend to be larger and wider – had made it more difficult for fire trucks and ambulances to safely navigate the narrow street.

Planning Director Michael Davolio, another champion of the shift, said the feedback he has received has been supportive.

"I've heard nothing but positive remarks," he said.

The word is gradually getting out as to why the switch was made, said Assistant Planner Ajah Eills.

"Aaron," said Eills, "has had 43 people who he's had to explain why this is happening."

Public works department staff installed new signage prior to Oct. 9 the first day for one-way traffic. Their efforts didn't go unnoticed, said Eills.

For example, Second Street resident Dorothy Downes brought cookies to the public works office.

Eills also observed that so far "an overwhelming traffic rush on Second Street hasn't happened."

Transportation, a key element of the Town's comprehensive plan – which is in the process of being updated – was a recurring theme during the meeting.

The transportation element aims to ensure that the Town's transportation system, including streets, parking, bike lanes and pedestrian walkways, supports land uses envisioned by the comp plan.

Davolio noted that parks and recreation and climate chapters have been added to the comp plan in the past two years. He said that in 2022 the comp plan had 10 chapters, adding that the update process is expected to run through June 2025.

Any changes to land use designations for La Conner's former south end industrial area, a nearly four-acre space being studied, would be incorporated into the revised comp plan.

Consultant Tom Beckwith, whose firm is conducting the study, will attend the next ­planning commission meeting.

Meanwhile, work continues on the comp plan updates.

"The state has granted an extension to the end of the year," Davolio said, "but I'm confident we can meet the original deadline of the end of June."

Davolio said that college students have already provided valusblr input.

"We were fortunate early in the process to have had students from Western Washington University working on this," Davolio said. "Their comments will be reflected (in the comp plan), especially those related to climate change and sea level rise."

Commissioner John Leaver suggested and received support for including in the revised comp plan the number of electric vehicle charging stations and solarized structures in town.

Commissioners again discussed the format to select a non-voting La Conner High School student representative to serve on the planning board. Commissioners will share with Principal Christine Tripp a mission statement for the student reps prior to her appearance before the panel.

Eills recommended that the one-year student service term include summer months. The commissioners agreed that adding a student rep will be a positive experience for everyone.

"I'm sure," said Eills, "that we'll have someone who's very good."