Leeward East moves ahead

The Council Monday night discussed the Leeward East project, which will be in a Commercial Marine zone, rather than a residential zone, thus requiring the approval of a conditional use permit.

Prime discussion points included setback requirements, height limits and port-a-potties. That last item came up in connection with the Guemes Channel Trail, planned to run along the shoreline from the ferry terminal to downtown Anacortes. Port-a-potties are being required until a permanent restroom facility is built as part of another project just west of this one.

Council members also agreed that the building setback along the paved trail would be 20 feet, instead of 17 feet, which the developer was requesting. Assistant City Planning Director Don Mesamer told the Council that the buildings would require a major re-design if the Council stuck with the 20-foot requirement.

The Council also set the maximum building height at 35 feet and established criteria to measure the buildings, which will be on a slope above the Guemes Channel. The building height issue came up when the developer of San Juan Passage, which is west of Leeward East, objected to the condominium designs, saying they would block views of residents of San Juan Passage.

The Council also is requiring the Bellingham-based developer to dedicate to pay apark impact fee of $1,230 for each of the single-family units planned. The project will also have 38 condominium units in two buildings.