At the heart of last Tuesday’s Planning Commission meeting was the question of how to balance public safety, wildlife needs and eye comfort when it comes to regulating lighting in the code.
Planning Director Ajah Eills asked commissioners if they were open to the idea of incorporating a “dark sky policy” that would apply to both the historic and non-historic areas, as she explained that lighting is mainly regulated through the Historic Preservation District rules, which don’t apply to properties outside the district’s boundaries.
This policy addition would fit right into La Conner’s rural and residential character and reduce light pollution, which is known to disorient birds and hide the night sky from view. While Eills said she isn’t sure if this represents a serious problem locally, some residents have voiced their lighting grievances to the Town.
Commissioner Sommer Holt suggested incorporating language that encourages — rather than mandate — buildings by the boardwalk to reduce the harshness of their outdoor lights by, for example, angling the lights differently or placing them lower. That way, people can walk safely at night while impacts to wildlife are minimized.
Eills said that encouragement could also be applied in a new proposed section on decorative exterior lighting for buildings.
Commissioner Tracy McCain said the dark sky policy should take into consideration buildings that need to be well-lit for security reasons, recalling a few visits from campers and vandals outside her business on Morris Street. Eills agreed, stating there should be a balance of safety and maintaining “reasonable” lighting levels.
Following concerns surrounding intent and clarity that have been expressed at previous meetings, Eills proposed a new definition of sign, which would apply to “any device, display, or structure that is visible from a public place and that has words, letters, figures, designs, symbols, logos, illumination, or projected images.”
This definition does not require permit applicants to state the intent behind the display, which might help the town avoid a First Amendment kerfuffle.
In December, Holt suggested establishing three categories of signs — interior decorations behind glass windows, business outdoor signs, and “civic streetscape” elements.
At present, the code allows for signs posted or attached to the inside of store front windows (on private property) as long as they don’t occupy more than 40% of the window. A proposed change would explicitly prohibit these signs if they feature flashing, strobing or moving lights.
Another addition would allow businesses to have decorative exterior lighting, again with no flashing, strobing or moving lights. Tuesday, commissioners agreed on the idea of limiting the choice to a range of warm, white lights. Colored lights would be allowed behind the windows, inside.
Civic streetscapes would be defined as “signs placed with Town authorization on publicly owned lands, streets, or right-of-way, this includes festive and seasonal elements as well as other place making décor.”
Holt asked to clarify that these signs are not associated with any particular business or product, and are for the benefit of the entire community.
Attendees, including Eills and Mayor Marna Hanneman, emphasized that anyone who wishes to put these displays should receive approval from the Town before proceeding, mentioning some recent instances in which that did not happen.
Eills will continue to work on changes before bringing them to the next meeting for further discussion.
Luisa Loi is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.
