The La Conner Town Council approved the redevelopment plan for the town’s former south end industrial area Tuesday night after a 15-minute public hearing at Maple Hall.
Consultant Tom Beckwith and his team developed the state-funded plan for the old Moore-Clark property, with revisions by town planning staff and a recommendation from the five-member planning commission.
Screen capture from Google Maps taken on March 26, 2025.
The team’s work began last August following the Town’s receipt of a $45,000 Washington State Department of Commerce planning grant.
The Beckwith team gathered input from residents and business owners and incorporated into its plan land use ideas from around Puget Sound. The result is an ambitious mixed-use design concept for the largely under-utilized parcels, most of which are owned by the Triton-America firm.
In response to community feedback, Town Planner Michael Davolio and Assistant Planner Ajah Eills removed from the plan a proposed Maple Hall performing arts center, housing on the south end pay parking lot, and a recreational hill climb below Douglas Street.
What remains, is a detailed roadmap for future south end development of retail and health services, arts and entertainment opportunities, and public shoreline access among other options for the area.
Town Administrator Scott Thomas, who wrote the grant application, told council members he was happy with the process. “There was a community conversation. A plan is in place.”
That plan will now be attached as an appendix to the land use element of the Town’s comprehensive plan, which is currently being updated.
The next step in the process, Davolio said, is to craft zoning designations that would accommodate a facelift of the south end sub-area, which has been largely dormant since the closure of the Moore-Clark fish feed production plant more than 30 years ago.
“Staff has been working on zoning, and it will be consistent with what’s in the plan,” Davolio told the council, adding, however, that “we have no direct control over what the owner does with the property in terms of redevelopment.”
Davolio praised the Beckwith team for its work.
“I commend Tom Beckwith and his team for their outstanding job of working with the community to develop this plan,” he said.
Center Street resident Debbie Aldrich said the planning commission is also due kudos.
“They did a great job,” she said, “and listened to what people had to say.”
During the public hearing, Shelter Bay residents Lori Wise and MaryLee Killinger expressed concern over the condition of the nearly 130-year-old vacant warehouse.
Killinger said daily $1,000 fines are imposed in Seattle upon owners of derelict buildings.
“Many owners have taken responsibility in Seattle to take down buildings rather than pay the fines,” she said. “I’ve heard so many reasons why that building (the warehouse) can’t be taken down, but it’s such a hazard.”
The Town has installed security fencing that blocks pedestrian access west of the structure. Eills noted that the Beckwith plan proposes shared-use pathways in the sub-area and potential extension of South First Street to Caledonia, past the warehouse.
The south end plan can be viewed on the Town website.
Bill Reynolds: bill@laconnercommunitynews.org. Bill is a general assignment reporter who covers Town government, schools, and spot news.
