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Ocean Shores planning commission considers short survey, signage and temporary toilets after July crowds
Summary
Commissioners discussed findings from a small business survey pilot — one shop reported 93 restroom requests over a three-day holiday period — and agreed to draft a 2–3 question survey, step up signage and consider portable toilets for large events while exploring longer-term restroom options.
The Ocean Shores Planning Commission reviewed preliminary findings from its public-restroom subcommittee on July 8 and agreed to push a compact, store-level survey and improved signage while exploring longer-term restroom siting and costs.
Commissioner Steve Kern said his wife, who runs Susan Lilly and Company at the Boardwalk Shops, tracked restroom requests over a recent three-day period and recorded 93 requests for use of the store restroom. "Over the next 3 days, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday... 93," Kern reported to the commission as an example of demand small downtown businesses are experiencing.
Kern and other commissioners discussed four cost drivers for a permanent downtown restroom: size and number of fixtures, material quality, labor/design and location. The subcommittee reported a construction cost range from about $80,000 to $500,000 depending on complexity. Commissioners asked the subcommittee to draft a short (two to three question) survey for downtown businesses and to split outreach so the packet can be returned at the July 22 meeting.
Commissioners and staff emphasized near-term, lower‑cost steps: clearer signage directing visitors to the existing city-maintained restroom across from the Shiloh and the state-park facilities, and use of portable toilets for major events (the city increased portable units this year). Marshall noted that existing city parks and boat launches have restroom facilities but are not widely listed as public restrooms in visitor-facing materials.
The commission agreed to return a draft survey at its next meeting and encouraged the subcommittee to coordinate with the mayor and council on signage and with event organizers on temporary toilets for peak weekends.
