Issaquah is currently finalizing the "Central Issaquah Plan" which will guide redevelopment of almost 1000 acres on the valley floor around I-90 for the next 50 years. Forterra is working with our members to support an ambitious plan that includes more housing in the valley floor, is affordable to a wide-range of residents, increases transportation choices and helps conserve natural landscapes within Issaquah and the region.

Issaquah’s Planning and Policy Commission needs your take at a public hearing on Thursday, July 19th. We’re asking people to speak up and show that Issaquah community members support key elements of the Plan – that they want the future of Central Issaquah to include housing affordable to all workers, good bike/pedestrian infrastructure, and helps conserve our lands.
 

Make your voice heard!

When: Thursday, July 19th, 2012, 6:30-8pm (arrive early to sign up)
Where: City Council Chambers, 135 E. Sunset Way, Issaquah, WA 98027
Agenda and documents: online here
More info: Skye Schell at (206) 446-8981 or email

Sample talking points:

Commissioners,

Thanks for the opportunity to speak about the Central Issaquah Plan. I’m _____, I live at ________, and I’m most passionate about ________ [making the city safe for biking / recreation opportunities for my kids / protecting the environment / etc].

I strongly support the guiding principles of the Central Issaquah Plan (CIP).  Issaquah has clearly identified key components that enhance the vibrancy and livability of a city, and I believe ALL of these must be carefully balanced to create a thriving community.  The following four points address opportunities in the Central Issaquah Plan that we want to see advanced.

1. Provide more housing on the valley floor that is attractive to and affordable to arrange of incomes, ages and abilities.  Locating housing near jobs and transportation is smart planning.  I support Issaquah seeking Regional Growth Center designation that encourages this housing.
a. Regional Growth Center designation can increase opportunities for transportation infrastructure funding that would support residential growth in Central Issaquah, and set the foundation for attracting additional jobs to Issaquah, improving the opportunity to live and work in the community.
b. We support the use of incentives to pioneering projects that build housing in Central Issaquah.  We suggest you expand these beyond the first 200 units suggested in Housing Policy A 2.

2. Ensure that there are homes in Central Issaquah that are affordable for all who want to live and work here. 
a. We are eagerly awaiting the incentives and proposed development codes that will ensure affordable housing will be available. 

3. Make it easier and safer to walk, bike and take transit in Central Issaquah.  We support the push to become a “Bike Friendly Community” and create a city-wide bike/pedestrian master plan – we’re glad to see the plan in council’s 2013 goals. 
a. We would like to see funding prioritized for the planned I-90 overcrossings and innovative infrastructure that allows kids, seniors and others who choose to walk a safe, attractive way to get to where they need to go.
b. We strongly support policy C&M E1 that increases the portion of transportation funding to be used on non-motorized and transit infrastructure.

4. Protect the natural environment through public acquisition of green space, strengthening buffers as property is redeveloped and using natural systems such as LID and Green Infrastructure.
a. We support development codes that require new and redeveloping properties to meet standards and buffer requirements
b. The council needs to prioritize and aggressively work to protect open space and ecological benefits in the Central Issaquah Area.