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Council gives preliminary approval to historic‑district code changes aimed at streamlining repainting
Summary
The planning commission recommended narrowing the historic period to about 1875–1915 and adding preapproved color palettes so owners in the Historic Preservation District can repaint under an administrative permit instead of a costly public historic-design review; council voted to send the edits to the Department of Commerce for a 60‑day review.
The La Conner Town Council gave preliminary approval to proposed edits to the town’s Historic Preservation District code that would define the district’s historic period and make it easier for property owners to repaint using preapproved color palettes.
Planning staff (Asia) told the council the updates recommended by the planning commission clarify the district’s period — roughly 1875 to 1915 — which matches when most downtown buildings were built, and they would allow many repainting requests to be handled via administrative permit using lists of preapproved colors rather than requiring a full historic-design review that can cost more than $1,000 in permitting and notice fees.
"The planning commission felt like it was important to make sure that our historic preservation period was for serve preserving the historic model that they wanted it to be preserved at," Asia said. She emphasized that boundaries would not change and other façade requirements remain in force; the code change only streamlines color and administrative review.
Why it matters: The change aims to reduce time and cost for routine repainting while retaining substantive review for nonstandard alterations. The council voted to send the chapter to the Washington Department of Commerce for a 60-day review; a final ordinance and codification would return for a future council vote.
The motion for preliminary approval passed on a voice vote; no public comment was taken at this step because the action initiates the formal review period.
