Business owner warns proposed Main Street zoning change could remove street-level commercial space

A Coupeville business owner told the council during public comment that a proposed code change to allow residential uses at street level in the historic commercial zone would shrink the town's limited supply of commercial space and encourage conversions to short-term rentals.

Christian Chambers, owner of Aquagas, said he had repeatedly commented on the proposal and urged the council to maintain the 2010 code that protects street-level commercial space. "I do not believe the code should be changed for several reasons, mainly focusing on the loss of commercial space that Coupeville is already lacking," Chambers said.

Chambers told the council one proposed approach would permit residential uses to begin 20 feet back from the front edge of buildings; he said that could result in a loss of more than 15,500 square feet of commercial space in the two-block historic commercial area. He said several building owners have publicly stated they would convert street-level spaces if the code changes, citing higher short-term rental returns.

Chambers argued the area already contains a supply of short-term rentals and ADA-accessible units and that the town's priority should be preserving commercial floorspace. The council did not take immediate action on the code language during the meeting; the item was discussed in the context of ongoing Planning Commission work and the draft comprehensive plan process.

Councilmembers noted the Planning Commission and staff will continue public review; no ordinance was adopted at this meeting.