The Coupeville Town Council might consider, if feasible, a proposal to change the law to allow short-term rentals at street level in the town’s historic/limited commercial district.

Tuesday evening, Barbara and Von Summers — owners of Salty Vons Waterfront Inn — asked the council to approve a policy change that would allow them to host guests on the main floor of the mixed use development building they own at 12 Front Street North West.

The district encompasses the Front Street area between Alexander and Haller Streets north of Coveland and Ninth Streets, including the Coupeville Wharf, according to the town code.

Although short-term rentals west of North Main Street are allowed in a mixed-use development in the district, they cannot occupy the street-level floor, according to the Shoreline Master Program.

Furthermore, the Shoreline Master Program states that the ground floor “shall be reserved on a continuous basis for retail sales and service, professional offices, restaurants, personal services, marine-related sales and service open to the general public and permitted by the underlying zoning.”

The inn includes three vacation units and is located in the same building, built in 1886. If the Summers’ request is fulfilled, they would be authorized to use an additional unit located behind Sea Bre’s Yarn. This is an ADA accessible office loft and studio that includes a private suite and a king-sized bed, according to information available in the agenda packet.

According to the Summers’, the unit would be the only ADA accessible rental in the district, though Mayor Molly Hughes and Planning Director Joshua Engelbrecht said there are a few establishments outside of the district that offer views of Penn Cove and handicap accommodations.

Coupeville is the second oldest town in Washington and the only town in the state that is located in a national historic reserve. Hence, it’s important to maintain its historic character, a goal that the mayor said has shaped the town code into what it is today.

Historically, Engelbrecht said in an interview, people would live on top of the businesses at ground level.

Barbara Summers said the buildings on the north side of Front Street have two fronts, one facing the road and the other facing Penn Cove.

The Shoreline Master Program states that “transient accommodations west of North Main Street shall not occupy any portion of the ground floor (street level) of any buildings.”

The proposed change, she said, would allow for short-term vacation rentals on the side of the main floor that faces Penn Cove while keeping the same rules for the street-facing half.

The Historic Limited Commercial District focuses on street frontage, the Summers wrote, “but fails to recognize that buildings located on the South Side of Front Street also face Penn Cove.”

The buildings on Front Street are old and in need of repairs, Barbara Summers said. In order to maintain those buildings, landlords need to charge higher rents. Short-term rentals on a scenic location can attract tourists year-round, contributing to the economic vitality of downtown and the preservation of historic assets, Barbara and Von Summers said.

The unit behind Sea Bre’s Yarn is a poor location for a retail store because Front Street passersby wouldn’t be able to see it, the Summers’ wrote in their presentation.

“We are just looking at how we can make the best use of our existing building,” Barbara Summers told the council.

The Summers said they initially tried to avoid asking for a rule change by interpreting the space’s zoning for a club that would host living room concerts and movie nights, which the town did not interpret the same way.

Meg Olson, owner of Kingfisher Bookstore on 16 Front Street North West, said retail stores, eateries and services are what attract community members and tourists to downtown. These places, she said, are “as close to being a public space as a real public space,” and she worries that short-term rentals would take away opportunities for such businesses to open, expand and continue to exist as community hubs.

Public Works Director Joe Grogan pointed out the existing challenge of finding parking on Front Street. With more vacation rentals, there is a possibility the issue might get more complicated.

The council won’t decide whether to pursue this policy change until Engelbrecht has a better understanding of what the process would entail and how it would affect other businesses to avoid unintended consequences. With the middle housing code amendment, the coastal adaptation strategy and the comprehensive plan update in the works, Councilmembers Michael Moore and Jenny Bright said they might take priority over the zoning change.

Hughes said she has received calls from people who oppose the project and people who seem to be interested in potentially opening their own vacation rental on street level. Once more information is available to further discuss the proposal, there will be opportunities for community involvement.

The building at 12 Front Street in Coupeville has three levels, two of which currently in use for lodging. Short-term rentals at street level are not allowed under the town code. (Photo from saltyvons.com)