Growth & Development

Jan. 3, 2014

Learning More About the Central Issaquah Plan

Profile of the South Building Profile of the South Building

Plaza 221 is the retail development underway at the southwest corner of 221st Place SE and SE 56th Street (across the street from the Brown Bear Car Wash). We wrote about it in our recent article, North of I-90: Taco Time — But Not Another ...

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Dec. 9, 2013

Like It or Not, Significant Change Will Continue

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The population of the central Puget Sound region (consisting of King, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap counties) reached 3,780,900 in April 2013.

Since the end of the 1980-81 recession – a period of 32 years -- the population of the central Puget Sound region has grown every year. To that ...

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Oct. 3, 2013

Vision for Issaquah Development: Growth & Density

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The City of Issaquah has completed a new vision for the real estate on the valley floor of Issaquah, the Central Issaquah Plan.

The plan comprises all of the valley land area of Issaquah except Olde Town and the Lakeside Industries gravel pit.

The Central Issaquah Plan divides Issaquah valley ...

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Aug. 27, 2013

Preserving Issaquah’s Unique Mountain Views

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Issaquah is quite unique in large part due to the forested hillsides of the Issaquah Alps and its views of Mount Rainier.

Coming with the Central Issaquah Plan will be taller buildings and impaired mountain views.

Previously, Issaquah's valley floor area allowed buildings to reach a maximum of 65 ...

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Aug. 27, 2013

Green Necklace, Key to Issaquah’s Future Livability

green-necklaceI was struck, as I initially reviewed the Central Issaquah Plan (CIP), with the references to the Green Necklace.

Initially I saw it as the contribution of the green citizens and the eco-citizens. A green fad has become so prevalent in today’s world, particularly in high income circles where the ...

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Aug. 27, 2013

Issaquah's Growth is Legally Mandated

3586510222_4a5345bf22_oThe Issaquah public sometimes suggests that Issaquah’s growth is unwanted and unreasonable. Why does the City of Issaquah feel it has to grow so much?

The question comes back to a law demanded by the public in Washington and passed by the legislature in 1990 and 1991.

At that time ...

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Aug. 27, 2013

Why was the Growth Management Act Passed?

Dreamed Tidal Wave.smaller Washingtonian Fear of an Overtaking Tidal Wave

As we have pointed out, the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) governs most of the decisions made that favor growth and development in Issaquah.

The impact of that legislation was massive -- and it will continue to shape our Washington communities forever.

Today ...

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Aug. 27, 2013

Districts Define New Land Uses for Issaquah Valley

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The Central Issaquah Plan divides Issaquah valley real estate into ten districts. Each district is designated to be the home of differing uses.

Excluded from the plan are two other areas we would generally refer to as Issaquah valley: Olde Town and the Lakeside Industries gravel pit ...

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