A vocal group of people do not want any construction to happen between Front Street and the water in downtown Coupeville.

That was clear Thursday night, as those folks were among the 75 or so who attended a public workshop on proposed new shoreline regulations for the town.

Some were critical of a provision that would allow construction over the water in the historic downtown area. The proposed shoreline regulations would allow construction 20 feet over the water, which is about as long as the Knead and Feed building.

There are currently four vacant lots in the area and town staff is processing an application for a new restaurant on the vacant spot next to Toby’s Tavern.

Steve Erickson, representing the Whidbey Environmental Action Network, said the only types of construction allowed over the water should be for uses dependent on the water and the provision doesn’t jibe with state regulations.

Mayor Nancy Conard said the town has received comments from residents stating they don’t want the empty lots developed, nor do they want a new restaurant built on the water.

Town officials held the public workshop to gain more public input about the proposed plan they spent the past two years developing.

They passed out a questionnaire asking which of the four lots people are interested in preserving and whether residents would support a property tax increase to raise money to help purchase the properties. Some people attending the meeting said the questionnaire was slanted against people who support development on the water side of Front Street.

Conard said purchasing those properties is the best way to preserve those lots. However, the town contacted each owner and none of them are willing to sell.

“You still have to get someone willing to sell that property,” Conard said.

Other residents are growing tired of the extensive public input process the town has undertaken. Two public hearings were held in front of the town council last spring in addition to the Thursday evening meeting.

Coupeville resident Buell Neidlinger said residents have come out in force to comment on the shoreline plan and the town should move forward.

“I don’t think we need any more meetings,” Neidlinger said.

Conard said the questionnaire will provide more input that will show officials how best to proceed.

As for the proposed restaurant next to Toby’s, the town is processing an application and a decision hasn’t been made. The Design Review Board has made a preliminary review of the building design, but they too haven’t made any decision.

Conard said the application falls under current regulations. To fall under the new management plan, the applicant would have to withdraw the current application and then resubmit it at a later date.

Town officials have spent the past several years developing the new shoreline regulations. They needed to update the regulations to ensure they are consistent with the town’s comprehensive plan, the state Growth Management Act and protect the current historic structures and businesses in the downtown area.

Conard said the shoreline plan should be consistent with the comprehensive plan because that plan promotes uses the community finds acceptable.

Town resident Ken Pickard said the town’s comprehensive plan should be changed to follow more closely with the state shoreline plan.

The proposed shoreline plan also includes flood hazard protections, critical areas regulations, marine bluff protections and shoreline setbacks.

The Thursday evening meeting was the latest in a series of meetings informing residents about the proposed set of regulations. Conard said the town recently met with Front Street business leaders to discuss the proposal and how it will affect their buildings.

Conard said she doesn’t yet know what the town’s next step is. Staff will collect the information gained from the questionnaires, and then probably hold another public meeting to share the results with residents.