La Conner staff to install handrail, send foliage notices after public participation review

La Conner town staff on the Planning Commission agenda reported short-term actions coming from a public-participation program review, including an immediate commitment to install a handrail at Guilty Square, outreach to property owners about overgrown foliage and visibility issues, and follow-up research on a mirror and simplified signage for the waterfront boardwalk.

Planning staff member Asia said the first three actions are already underway: "The The first 1 is we are going to put handrail at Guilty Square. I've been told this will be done in about 2 months, if not sooner, but we are moving forward with that fixed." Asia told the commission the town will attach letters to water bills to notify property owners that foliage on private land must not impede visibility or public safety; if letters do not produce change, staff will pursue targeted interventions for properties presenting the greatest safety concerns.

Staff also said a proposal to place a mirror to improve sight lines at a narrow backing location near a confectionery was raised; staff will research whether mirrors create glare problems with afternoon sun and whether signage or other non-reflective solutions exist. Commissioners asked whether painted contrasting stripes on Guilty Square steps could be added; staff said paint strips tend to peel and would require ongoing maintenance that the public-works budget does not currently support.

On boardwalk signage, staff reported a public suggestion to replace some text-heavy signs with icon-based graphics ("like Apple using icons") to make prohibitions and guidance more quickly readable. Asia said staff will investigate cost, common symbol sets, and whether any traffic-control symbols can be repurposed for the town; she expected an update to the commission on the signage question at the next meeting.

Outreach methods discussed include utility-bill mailings (which reach both residential and commercial water customers) and website/flyer postings; staff said they will use newly available design software to produce more visually appealing materials. Commissioners and public commenters generally supported the actions while noting ongoing maintenance and budget trade-offs for measures that require repeated upkeep.

Next steps: staff will proceed with the Guilty Square handrail installation, prepare and distribute the foliage notices with utility billing, research mirror and signage options, and report back to the commission with findings and cost implications.