By Luisa Loi
La Conner Community News
It’s hard not to notice the construction underway in La Conner right now, with three large projects — the Talmon building on Center Street, the Habitat for Humanity Project on Caledonia and Third streets, and the triplex on Hill Street — gradually taking shape.
To longtime residents who have known La Conner as a small and slow-growing community, it may look like a building frenzy. But when considering that the town’s population is projected to grow by 211 people between 2022 and 2045 — reaching an estimated population of 1,191 people — the increase in activity may make more sense.
Under current regulations, La Conner has capacity for 124 new housing units between 2020 and 2045, which is enough to meet Skagit County’s population growth projections, according to the Town’s 2025 comprehensive plan.
The number of available dwelling units in town likely will continue to increase, according to Planning Director Ajah Eills.
But when compared to other communities around Skagit County, the housing inventory in the La Conner and Swinomish areas is growing at a slower rate, according to Chad Paulsen, the designated broker of NextHome365 Realty in Sedro-Woolley.
“In all small towns, building new housing is expensive,” Eills said. “While we do have new housing projects being built in La Conner, it’s difficult for housing to get built in this day and age.”
The Town recently passed some code changes to encourage development of diverse housing types for different income levels. Still, Eills clarified, the Town does not have the authority to control sale and rental prices.
Land, labor and material costs represent a significant obstacle to the development of affordable housing, according to Paulsen.
“It can be difficult for smaller towns and smaller communities to have any type of affordable housing stock,” Eills said. “La Conner will need to work with external partners in order to continue to develop affordable housing options.”
Current developments
The construction of the Talmon building, which numerous residents have complained is disruptive and creates unsafe conditions for people, is expected to be completed by the end of September.
The building comprises a total of 20 units distributed across three floors. The bottom floor will house six short-term studio rentals, whereas the third and second floors will include 14 units — one- and two-bedroom — to be sold as permanent residences, according to Project Manager Eric McDaniel.
Residents may move in as early as October and November, if any of the units are sold by then, he said.
Wednesday, crews were working on right-of-way improvements, which Foreman Kevin Nonhoff said should conclude with paving on Friday.
After that comes the completion of interior work — drywall, paint, flooring, fixtures and cabinets — before the final stage, landscaping.
Residents and passersby also may have noticed the construction at 530 Hill St., where workers recently broke ground on the construction of a triplex informally known as Snapdragon Flats. According to Eills, each unit will have one bedroom.
For the lower-income levels, Habitat for Humanity is developing three single-family cottages that are expected to be completed early next year. Two of the cottages will feature three bedrooms and two bathrooms, measuring 1,380 square feet, while the third will have two bedrooms and two bathrooms and measure 1,080 square feet.
In a few years, the nonprofit will add three accessory dwelling units to the property, welcoming eligible couples and individuals.
The empty parcel on Maple Avenue is the planned site of four townhomes, each to include four bedrooms and two and half bathrooms and measure 1,982 square feet. According to Aaron Bean, the Realtor representing the development, each home may be sold at a proposed price of $989,000.
The project, named Fieldlight Row, was originally expected to be completed by now, but some revisions to the site plan caused some delays, said Bean, who said the hope is to break ground soon.
Eills also mentioned another planned triplex at 330 Park St., which has not started construction. Owned by the developer of Snapdragon Flats, it is expected to be built sometime in the next couple of years, she said.
Luisa Loi is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.
