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As some of you know, Anacortes is in the process of reviewing possible changes proposed to the zoning code by various citizens and staff. As a city councilmember, I made several suggestions for changes.
Unfortunately, misunderstandings about three of those suggestions have generated rumors around town that I am against Dakota Creek Industries (DCI) and adoption of these code revisions could result in the loss of 500 jobs.
Those rumors are simply not true, so I'd like to clarify some of the issues. I welcome discussion of the pros and cons of the changes I proposed, but let's discuss on the basis of fact, not rumor.
#10 Rezone the 1/2 block facing 4th Avenue (the street going up the hill to Cap Sante) between T and U to the R3 zone.
Several blocks of housing were included in the LM zone many years ago (now named the MS zone) with the idea that the houses would eventually be torn down to expand the industrial uses. This 1/2 block rezone would change only a tiny area on the edge of the MS zone to R3 to preserve 6 houses. It would not change any industrial uses, because there are none in this half block.
There is no proposal to rezone any of the Port or DCI property - this 1/2 block is all privately owned.
These houses have been there for nearly a century. 3 are owner occupied, and 3 are rentals, one of which includes a food bank. They provide a small amount of much-needed moderate priced housing for Anacortes workers. This row of houses is also visually and functionally part of the entrance to the Cap Sante neighborhood, and provides a transition between the Pier 2 yard and the R2 residential area in the next block.
The rezone would recognize the historic use, and allow the owners to fix up their houses (which are actually an illegal non-conforming use in the MS zone) without fearing that an industrial use would move in next door.
Affordable housing for workers is needed now, and there is no immediate need to expand the industrial uses into this small area, which is two blocks away from DCI's current operations.
#21 Reduce the height from 50' to 35' in the block between T and U from the Wyman's Marina area (which already has a 30' height limit) to 4th Street.
The Port Comprehensive Plan, just approved this year, identifies these 2 blocks as a "transition" area and "buffer" between the industrial uses and the R2 residential zone.
The hill rises aprx. 10 ft. between T and U, so a building on the top side of this block would visually be 60' tall in comparison with a 50' building in the flat part of the MS zone and 35' in the R2 zone. It is appropriate for this transition area to have a transition in height to reduce the apparent bulk and scale of the future buildings.
There is no proposal to reduce the height on any of the DCI property - this area is all privately owned except for Randy's parking lot, which is owned by the Port.
#22 Add the following words to the Permitted Uses paragraphs of Sections 17.15 through 17.23 (the non-residential zones) except 17.20 (CBD):
"... provided that such uses are of such a nature that they do not inflict upon neighboring districts smoke, dirt, noise, vibrations, odor, glare, or other nuisances or hazards detrimental to the health, welfare, and safety of persons occupying or visiting the district or adjacent districts."
This same wording is already in our code for the Heavy Manufacturing, Industrial, and Light Manufacturing zones. If this wording is a reasonable requirement for those zones (which include our heaviest uses), it is appropriate to be consistent and include the same wording in other non-residential zones. It would apply to any business.
The city's Comprensive Plan states: "Manufacturing activities and developments should be designed and operated to minimize adverse impacts to surrounding areas and the community as a whole." This code revision is consistent with that policy.
There is no intent to single out DCI, but rather to level the playing field for all businesses, and give all residential areas adjacent to the non-residential zones equal protection from undesirable impacts. I don't think anyone wants the old smokestack industries to relocate in town.
I hope this helps clarify things a little. I have a solid record of supporting industrial areas, especially our precious deep water port along Guemes Channel. But of course, once a rumor gets started, there is little I can do to stop it. I hope folks know that I have more integrity than to suggest anything that would close down Dakota Creek.
I would be happy to talk directly to anyone who wants more information. All of the 43 proposed changes, as well as comment letters, are on the City web site www.cityofanacortes.org under Planning - Documents.
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