Will losing 60 parking spaces to the new ferry terminal be drastic? I guess it all depends upon your perspective. If the site plan is fully implemented when the new terminal is finished it will mean that the county intends on eliminating virtually all but a handful of designated disabled spaces (5) from the area south of the terminal. I had posted a schematic drawing on the bulletin board in the ferry terminal based on the architects site plan that indicated the loss of parking spaces near the ferry terminal and it was up there for probably a year. 

 
Here is an accounting of existing spaces:

Lot 1 (the parking area south of the existing ferry terminal including four spaces on the hill and the spaces along the fence adjacent to the marina. 32 spaces with 3 designated for employees - Total 35

Lot 2 (the lower lot to the East of the ferry access road bordered by the marina parking lot to the North and residences to the South) 42 parking spaces (+/- depending because it is not striped) - Total 42

Lot 3 (The large lot to the East) 69 spaces with 4 disabled -  Total 73

Now, if the plan is fully realized this will be the result.

Lot 1 There will only be 7 disabled spaces left in this lot. Because of the addition of a holding lane all of the spaces adjacent to the fence will be eliminated as will the four spaces on the hill. Actual Loss of 30 parking spaces.

Lot 2  First of all, the county is well aware that this is a non-conforming parking lot. That if the lot were to conform to parking standards that they would only be able to park 12 cars on the south side of the lot (on the residence side as indicated in the enclosed attachment) and they would have to provide a turn around area to the East end of the lot (this is from their own intended parking stripe study).

Furthermore, there are indications on a set of plans that I saw to provide a walkway (possibly covered) along the marina parking lot fence which would eliminate the twenty or so cars that presently park there. But the worst case scenario is for a total loss of 30 spaces in this lot. (One question to ask here is that if the county is aware that this lot does not conform and if there is an accident in the lot that could be traced to that non-conformity what are the legal ramifications. Let’s just give that one to the attorneys).

BUT THE MOST INTERESTING THING IS THAT THE COUNTY DOESN'T EVEN OWN 1/3 OF THE LOT. There is a survey corner point indicating that about 40 ft (=/-) along the fence actually belongs to Anchor Cove Marina. I doubt if the city was aware of it when they issued the building permit. What, if any legal obligations would the marina encounter should there be an accident without some official agreement with the county?

So Lot 2: Potential Loss of 30 parking spaces.

Lot 3: No parking spaces lost, except possibly four, if there are designated employee spaces.

To my knowledge I don’t believe an ‘official’ parking loss study has ever been done. If so, I would like Skagit County Public Works to produce it. I would also like the Ferry Manager to bring this forward so that both the Guemes Island community and Anacortes City Council is aware that there might be a net loss of 60 parking spaces.

It would be interesting to know if the City council was informed of this potential loss when the granted the building permit. It is probably too late to rectify the oversight by those responsible but it would be interesting to understand if neglecting to face the real issue of parking loss was intentional. If it was intentional, who should be held responsible?

The questions to be asked and answered are what will be the likely result of this oversight? These are a few of my observations if the plans are fully implemented.

1. Lot 3 will be totally utilized on normal ferry days. Commuters who now look for a close space to the Terminal will have to walk the 300 or so feet from Lot 3. All but say 4 spaces of the 12 that will remain in Lot 2 will be designated for disabled spaces. (Note: We need to be aware that the Ferry Manager will want to designate 3 or 4 spaces for the employees so that may eliminate even those four spaces in Lot 2).

2. Rider ship will certainly change. Many who now find it convenient to park and ride will not be willing to park in Lot 3 every single time and have to haul everything over to the terminal. This possibly means that there will be consistently heavier loads on the ferry.

3. Parking will no doubt spill out into the community to the displeasure of residents. Pressure will probably be put on the Anacortes City Council to limit parking to residents by creating parking zone limitations.

4. Skagit County may be forced to find and provide parking or shuttle service for the residents who choose to commute. Alternatives might include attempting to purchase the residences near parking Lot 2 in order to expand parking. One might estimate the cost of this around 2.5 million to obtain the properties with $600K to build the parking lot or over $3 million dollars. They might be reminded that they made decision to eliminate 60 parking spaces led by a lack of real information that was not provided to them by who?

5. Summer parking issues or when there is a large community function on the island where folks will park and pick up a ride on the other side and then those times when the ferry is down for repairs, these times will certainly have cars parking all over the immediate Anacortes community.

- Thomas Lindsey

To express your opinion on this, contact the Ferry Manager, Public Works Director and the Skagit County Commissioners: