The building already exists, but opponents will resume their court fight to stop it this week.
On Friday, Jan. 19, Skagit County Superior Court Judge Susan Cook is scheduled to hear arguments against the rezone of a lot in front of Coupeville’s Big Rock, known as one of the largest glacial erratics in the Northwest.
The town of Coupeville granted the rezone to allow a business on the lot, located on South Main Street. Local attorney Ken Pickard hired a Seattle lawyer to appeal the decision, setting up the process leading to Thursday’s court case. But in the interim, lot owner Frank Meyer went ahead and constructed a commercial building on the property for his wife’s restaurant, Miriam’s Espresso, and Videoville video rental business.
Big Rock, referred to as The Rock of Ages in the early days of Coupeville, sits on a separate piece of private property behind the lot in question. For years, the town’s park board wanted to acquire the lot for park purposes but never found the money.
Pickard said his contention is that the rezone violated the town’s comprehensive plan and also that the proceedings lacked the appearance of fairness, as the town’s attorney, Dale Roundy, also represented Meyer in his personal and business dealings.
Pickard’s Seattle attorney, Mickey Gendler, said Judge Cook is being asked to negate the rezone, which would mean that commercial use would not be authorized.
“Meyer has said that the building could be adapted to the residential use permitted in the zone,” Gendler said, referring to statements Meyer is said to have made when the town informed him the rezone could be reversed by the court.
Meyer did not return a phone call by the News-Times.
“There may be some modifications to the building required to conform to residential requirements, but Meyer appears to be aware of that,” Gendler said. “So there would not be a need to tear down the building.” No financial penalties are being sought.
The case is scheduled to be heard Friday at 1:30 p.m. in the Skagit County Court House, Mount Vernon.
