La Conner hears draft Moore Clark sub‑area plan; consultants outline redevelopment options and costs

La Conner town council heard a presentation from consultant Tom Henness Group on a draft sub‑area plan for the Moore Clark waterfront that outlined redevelopment concepts, cost estimates and implementation options.

The plan, presented to the council during the public meeting, summarized outreach results (an open house, interviews and an online survey), technical studies and a range of redevelopment models intended to balance housing, tourism and waterfront uses while addressing floodplain and stormwater rules.

Why it matters: Moore Clark is privately owned and largely in a FEMA floodplain; any redevelopment will need to meet floodplain requirements, stormwater controls and parking and circulation needs while balancing affordable and market housing, public event space, shoreline restoration and the town’s tourism economy.

Tom Henness Group presented two principal deliverables: a PowerPoint summary of outreach and a draft sub‑area plan the council will review. Henness said the consultant team included a structural engineer, civil engineer, landscape architect, architect, arts and cultural consultant and a GIS specialist. The presentation summarized existing conditions, ownership parcels, drainage and utilities, shoreline condition, parking capacity and traffic counts.

Key points from the consultant and staff

- Outreach and interest: The team reported roughly 109 online survey responses and a wider set of interview and “mingle” sessions; 132 artists responded to targeted outreach saying they would participate in short‑term workshops or teaching visits but most said they could not afford to relocate permanently. The consultant said arts groups preferred the town provide flexible shell space rather than…