La Conner planning commission narrows exterior lighting to 1,800–3,000K, advances sign-code changes

La Conner — The Planning Commission moved to narrow proposed exterior lighting color temperatures and to ask staff for clearer, separate rules for building and sign lighting.

At a regularly scheduled meeting the commission discussed proposed edits to the sign chapter that would regulate illumination on private commercial buildings, encourage dark-sky practices and set technical controls to reduce glare and light spill. Staff recorded a commission preference to change the upper color-temperature limit for exterior lighting from 4,000 Kelvin to 3,000 Kelvin.

"I'll make a note that that range will be reduced from . . . 4,000 Kelvin to 1,800 to 3,000 Kelvin," said Staff member Jen during the discussion. Presenter participants who advised the commission on lighting design said dark-sky guidance typically recommends staying at or below 3,000 Kelvin.

Why it matters: The change is intended to balance pedestrian safety, storefront ambiance and wildlife/dark-sky concerns in La Conner's commercial and historic districts. Commissioners discussed separate technical controls — color temperature (Kelvin), light intensity (measured in foot-candles) and fixture type — rather than a single prescriptive approach.

Technical trade-offs: A presenter told the commission that darker, warmer light sources tend to reduce skyglow and nighttime disturbance, while higher (cooler) temperatures can help color rendering for cameras and some security systems. Commissioners noted typical pedestrian lighting targets mentioned in the meeting: about 1 foot-candle for walkways and higher levels at intersections (presenter cited about 5 foot-candles).

On fixtures and glare, commissioners debated whether to require "full-cutoff" fixtures for higher-intensity lamps or simply to recommend shields and diffusers. The presenter explained a full-cutoff fixture prevents uplight and side spill; commissioners asked staff to check whether Skagit County's code defines "high intensity" or similar thresholds before La Conner adds its own definition.

String lights and seasonal displays: Commissioners agreed to treat string/strip lighting as a distinct category. They directed staff to draft language that would allow warm-white, steady (non-flashing) string lights and to consider time-limited exceptions for colored interior displays during holiday periods. The goal is to permit the small-scale decorative lighting that gives downtown its character while prohibiting flashing or attention-getting sequences on building exteriors.

Civic streetscape and exemptions: The commission asked staff to clarify the Civic Streetscape exemption so that displays authorized by the town (including temporary or seasonal installations) are not treated as commercial signage. Commissioners supported expanding the code language to include "displays" or "items placed as part of the Civic Streetscape" so the exemption is clearer to lay readers.

Enforcement and prohibited signs: Staff explained the removal process for prohibited signs: written notice from the administrative official starts a 30-day compliance clock; if a sign remains it can move into the town's nuisance process with possible daily fines and doubled permit fees if someone later seeks a permit. Commissioners discussed portable and sandwich-board signs and confirmed that the draft code already addresses those categories.

What happens next: Staff will return with edits and visual examples (photos or fixture illustrations), a proposed separate lighting chapter for the code, and proposed definitions (including whether to adopt or reference Skagit County definitions for terms such as "high intensity"). The commission did not adopt final code text at the meeting; no ordinance or ordinance-first-reading vote occurred.

A procedural motion earlier in the meeting approved corrected minutes from March 17; the motion carried unanimously. The commission adjourned after finishing the agenda.