The Anacortes Planning Commission got an earful June 11 when 19 Old Town residents and property owners voiced their opinions of a proposed overlay district with new zoning regulations and design standards.

Ten speakers, representing 42 residents who advocate a revised version of the proposal, said the city should drop provisions requiring front porches and raising homes above grade. Five speakers rejected the idea of design standards outright, citing property owners’ rights and other concerns. The remaining four had a variety of concerns, such as preservation of historic homes, ability to replace a house destroyed by fire, protection of the neighborhood’s socioeconomic diversity and preservation of affordable housing.

The commission will accept additional written comments until 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 25. That night, at the commission’s last meeting before a summer recess, the group will discuss its recommendations for proceeding with the overlay proposal. At a previous meeting, a number of participants recommended slowing the process rather than trying to put something together quickly. A draft of the proposal and comments received so far are available on the city’s Web site — http://www.cityofanacortes.org/Planning/OldTown.

The group of 42 met in each other’s homes to discuss the proposed standards, said Edward Bradley. Their counter proposal, which many said they strongly endorse, emphasizes “design guidance, not standards,” he said.

“We basically oppose any sort of architectural review,” agreed Jim Young, who said that such standards should apply only to homes on a historical register.

Virginia “Bunny” Heiner said removing requirements for a porch and for a front door on the front would avoid a “cookie cutter look.”

Arlene French, another member of the group, said more information is needed before they can make an informed decision about proposed height changes. Several of the group members said the regulations should more directly address concerns about the scale of new construction.

A number spoke out against the proposals entirely. Chuck Stavig said the proposals add more support, corners, gutters, soffits, valleys and so forth to homes, “everything that costs more to build a house and gives you less useable space.”

Doug Burton was one of many who praised the character of Old town, but he said the standards are problematic and may stifle diversity.

“It is a fragile environment, but it could be damaged by people who think they are doing good,” he said.

Burton and his late wife built a house at ground level, which was invaluable when she was wheelchair bound. The house has no porch, although he joked that it would be a great place for him to sit and watch his neighbors while freezing in his Adirondack chair.

Laurie Kinslow said she was against all the proposals, and that people have the right to do what they want with their own property. Dan Farmer said the height restriction is a bad deal.

“It protects views of those who already have them,” he said.

He said design standards should apply only to new construction, and then in moderation.

“These standards are the architectural equivalent of ethnic cleansing,” he said.

Gerald Osborn, an attorney, said the rules are unfair to owners, but will be an excellent source of income for lawyers. He said people who buy into Skyline choose to buy into covenants.

“I don’t buy it,” he said. “Government isn’t here to tell us what our houses will look like.”