[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6125239,"mediaKeyId","2677578-a00228d95788f35b552b36905ebd0cb1","parentId",2677578,"title","Issaquah council approves consent calendar, creates Fourth of July commission; flock camera discussion to proceed to staff work plan","audioSeconds",154,"startMs",3823000,"endMs",3977000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2677578-a00228d95788f35b552b36905ebd0cb1&start=3823&end=3977","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2677578-a00228d95788f35b552b36905ebd0cb1/thumbnail_3823000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6125239/Issaquah/King-County/Washington/Issaquah-council-approves-consent-calendar-creates-Fourth-of-July-commission-flock-camera-discussion-to-proceed-to-staff-work-plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125239-e4d4bb32028d424649f9bbd4954a1160/orig.mp4?Expires=1771133874&Signature=gaVmrNBbHrb8zlHWkQyNwHJkSJpK6G0oNaOv~Ak5-bsluAj4sNOQ0reE5TVubDr~ik5XkdnL9ZUSvEtd27Pcee3ZlnOjLPVljvMJK4QsrGZwsHfymS57-GpfdQF7gZ0JCl-1ABfhzzwD3dCh6JatCIymzRrWdXZ3T5h56e5Bd8FSfOiGm6LIZ4pNNHk-0yW0riI-p0-fJxSudhool4SrSEQk5yHllTafgnK~wLI-W1D6lagGAQ1VYD438qFp53EKOLiAIElegqGptw3yzxOcMHBqFfqhdXfW1l6yj35xFw9Akl6enXNwji79wPChp54252UGrLVw6DzqtRarJphyLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Issaquah City, WA","date","2025-03-19T01:07:06.61Z","article","The Issaquah City Council on March 17 approved routine business on the consent calendar, unanimously authorized the formation of a Fourth of July commission and heard a committee update about a proposed Flock public‑safety camera system.

Consent calendar: Council moved and seconded a single motion to approve the consent calendar. With no items pulled for separate consideration, council members voted unanimously to approve the consent calendar. Council President moved the approval and the motion carried 6‑0; Council Member Ray was recorded as excused for the evening.

Flock camera briefed to council: Council Member Martz, chair of the Services, Safety & Parks subcommittee, reported the subcommittee had received a staff presentation on the proposed Flock camera system. Martz said the committee does not yet have final details on number, siting or camera type; committee members generally supported exploring the system as an additional public‑safety tool but urged staff to address privacy concerns and engage community stakeholders. Martz said staff will pursue grant funding for the purchase and will return to council if non‑budgeted resources are needed.

Fourth of July commission: The council unanimously approved Resolution 2025‑08 establishing a temporary Fourth of July Commission to plan Issaquah’s Independence Day events and to begin planning for the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026. The resolution authorizes a nine‑member commission and sets the commission term through Dec. 31, 2026. Deputy City Administrator Andrea Snyder presented the administration’s proposal and council members said they expect the commission to draw community volunteers and help organize events in a budget‑constrained year.

These items were handled with relatively little debate; council members expressed appreciation for community volunteers and staff reports. The meeting also included separate, more detailed deliberations on the comprehensive‑plan docket and a permit‑process update, which were handled as separate agenda items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Issaquah City Council Meeting - March 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council members on March 17 approved the consent calendar, heard a committee briefing on a proposed Flock camera system, and unanimously adopted a resolution creating a temporary Fourth of July commission that will serve through Dec. 31, 2026.","taxTitle","Issaquah, King County, Washington","taxId",53186,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6125243,"Transportation Advisory Board outlines 2025 work plan, flags climate and station‑area planning as priorities",577,419000,996000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2677578-a00228d95788f35b552b36905ebd0cb1&start=419&end=996","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2677578-a00228d95788f35b552b36905ebd0cb1/thumbnail_419000.jpg","/articles/6125243/Issaquah/King-County/Washington/Transportation-Advisory-Board-outlines-2025-work-plan-flags-climate-and-stationarea-planning-as-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125243-55301ac4f772c5765935db13028b678c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771133874&Signature=I9xAkkHX~owmxLjkY6qItRDuFUiO3q9OQiyjIMaYBqNW2ttCZu5uyvSea7lqedNU0kGaFlBID3bqF11TvrV7kX6DMDVwF327DA42it5jopVcMsHVub60YW9kFez6Ph~PjtEjukHiftilJiL1tcuPDx7yNQEuhglJ5diJt3t1zKlAc7kzKI8TlVRwc5YoTBb7BnMbnSDSoSfwuVxcN3oMU9cf1~z2rbjZFp-ByMRspBnCN4dacgjFY8Wxzaay1HdPFKZG7CTKnzzdDhowHDIUJfyiWoGD61GqUAc~vN82-RtKc81BoRzduY46xZmiwJ32qtqALZsrIpJAbWSOpUn7cA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Issaquah’s Transportation Advisory Board on March 17 presented its 2025 work plan to the City Council, highlighting climate action work, equity collaboration, station‑area planning and continued attention to the Mobility Master Action Plan.

Senior Transportation Planner Thomas Baldrees (staff liaison to the TAB) and TAB Chair Julian (Julia) Maidell and Vice Chair Tom McDonald presented the nonbinding plan. Baldrees said the city’s municipal code requires the TAB to meet with council before formally adopting its annual work plan; the plan lists scheduled discussion items, potential items and a planned joint meeting with the Equity Board in October.

Tab leaders told council the board intends to focus on the Mobility Master Action Plan goals — improved multimodal connectivity, preparation for growth and light rail, and environmental sustainability. Chair Maidell highlighted TAB interest in the city’s climate action plan update and the planned joint meeting in October to examine equity data; Vice Chair McDonald emphasized concentrating on listed priorities rather than site‑specific reviews.

Council members asked about micro‑transit and how TAB would treat it. Baldrees said the Mobility Master Action Plan includes micro‑transit as an item staff expects to study in 2026–27 if funding becomes available and noted that King County Metro provides core transit services, creating shared authority over micro‑transit decisions.

Council members also asked about the difference between discussion items and informational items on the TAB agenda; Baldrees said “discussion” items will include specific questions for TAB review while “informational” items will present material for general feedback. TAB members said they have shifted meeting practice since 2022 toward fewer, more in‑depth discussion topics rather than many informational updates.

The presentation was informational; council members thanked TAB members for their volunteer service.","Issaquah’s Transportation Advisory Board presented a nonbinding 2025 work plan that emphasizes climate and equity goals, station‑area planning in advance of light‑rail, Mobility Master Plan priorities, and an October joint meeting with the Equity Board.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6125248,"Issaquah staff outline permit‑process overhaul and new metrics as state timelines take effect",2022,3070000,5092000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2677578-a00228d95788f35b552b36905ebd0cb1&start=3070&end=5092","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2677578-a00228d95788f35b552b36905ebd0cb1/thumbnail_3070000.jpg","/articles/6125248/Issaquah/King-County/Washington/Issaquah-staff-outline-permitprocess-overhaul-and-new-metrics-as-state-timelines-take-effect","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125248-19140a451b490b1561998cee67dbec54/orig.mp4?Expires=1771133874&Signature=HujUmJpxgBVg53yPAv3VNcTIPuDGuR4L29SMsQZqUdSImtnrxEd9vmhEcl1kDZiBMKy~eg0Z2boHiYYNxA3o0dyhOhpuRxV9PJQRWAeS-MHTAzxEzSLbEMQcKiiA5MSGuN~goffIn~Tyl5v-RL7IHcvGfUJCuRZves~7KvoAkV8Mey40L6nP-SS7NQcBbueJpqz-eYUOS80fzhMAEDtlGTr-LQLf-3AJmI28eXT64HqPLa3gRvdevrqEkgCPG6Ta-9vYOstqeUF1vdjZrHcpBb7McyTzr94SjD6Jz9L9iHqjO2ov7DmnoJWXGI1q7DaUXzhhM~4fCKlWHP6Va0eZ5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Issaquah planning staff on March 17 presented a multi‑part update on permit process improvements designed to streamline reviews and bring the department into compliance with new state timelines.

City staff described a package of 12 recommendations from a consultant and the department’s internal follow‑up work. The recommendations cover submittal guidelines, completeness review procedures, applicant communications, peer‑review contracts, internal cross‑department review meetings, a postcard mailing approach for public notices, and the creation of a permit coordinator position. Staff said most items are targeted for completion by the end of the second quarter of 2025.

Tina Eggers of the executive office and Community Planning & Development Director Minnie Dhaliwal led the update and credited department staff with creating cross‑division teams to implement the recommendations. Tina Eggers said the department has started updating submittal guidelines, moved to reduce in‑house email coordination in favor of established systems, and implemented quarterly improvement retreats. Dhaliwal said the department will compile standard operating procedures in a single location and conduct targeted staff training to improve consistency.

Building Official James Gray described technical review challenges that can extend review cycles: complex geotechnical conditions, new energy‑code modeling requirements and design verification that often require specialist review. Gray said some plan checks now require modeling and computer verification that take specialized review time and, in some cases, third‑party checks.

Staff also discussed the new state reporting obligations under the guidance issued by the Washington State Department of Commerce. The city must report 2024 baseline measures and meet new statutory deadlines that came into effect January 1, 2025. Staff said Commerce’s guidance narrowed the permitted sample of land‑use and construction permit categories for statewide reporting; the city will submit its Commerce report by the March 31 deadline.

Key near‑term steps staff described include recruiting and filling a budgeted permit coordinator position (target: July 2025) and returning to council with a progress report in September. Staff said they are tracking several performance metrics, including first‑round review timelines, number of reviews per full‑time equivalent, and the percentage of permits approved within one or two rounds of review. The department reported progress on several measures for 2024 but flagged that building permits with plan review and some site permits missed the department’s internal targets and are the focus for improvement.

Staff also noted outreach to partner review agencies — for example, Eastside Fire & Rescue and the school district — and said the city will request cooperation to meet consolidated timelines, although those partners are not under the city’s direct hiring authority.

The presentation was informational; council members asked questions about metrics, customer feedback, and the feasibility of improvements within the stated timelines. Staff said they will continue refining metrics, expand customer surveys and return to the council with a fuller report in September.","City planning staff described 12 recommended permit process improvements, new performance metrics and target dates, and said staff will pursue a permit‑coordination hire and submit state reporting required under Senate Bill 5290 by March 31.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6125252,"Issaquah council approves 2025 comprehensive‑plan docket after debate over ‘community facilities’ designation",2093,1702000,3795000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2677578-a00228d95788f35b552b36905ebd0cb1&start=1702&end=3795","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2677578-a00228d95788f35b552b36905ebd0cb1/thumbnail_1702000.jpg","/articles/6125252/Issaquah/King-County/Washington/Issaquah-council-approves-2025-comprehensiveplan-docket-after-debate-over-community-facilities-designation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125252-66b9eb583a7c462e44f0bf6295ded452/orig.mp4?Expires=1771133874&Signature=eMrSvdtV9AeaWaDq90p2qAUxj3kn1jDQB-Pjx2LOC9m39sAiQncLdf5~QHozpHYWmGkTcFmHu~oV8AGLzPqXmXmRW5jel517nSRZ59-eVNfFKoXtszb4e0tlo7noT9tBUUbOzX7a1rgGIqin3RGcn8yx6NpugzRVrCKavo7mfZAy4ivbaJNK5khaqqSRbScjp8~ZfZyroSf3zWwFklfI6GqL3qiDdRfSo14fCSxA~sA9iiWsHQQN9J~AfwG69uPBZaa6gnq0lH0KmpJ-Hf3k8YURzq58QyzAUpTz1OXSPpmKZMJv8VG6bYrIozYDrma3ZIIf71i6SpgYYH8w4Eip-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Issaquah City Council on March 17 approved the city’s 2025 docket of proposed comprehensive plan and land‑use designation amendments after a lengthy discussion about removing the city’s “community facilities” land‑use designation from the map.

The docket vote directs staff to advance several potential amendments for formal review later this year, including middle‑housing code changes to comply with state legislation, an amendment to accommodate co‑living housing, a proposal to update the transportation element to incorporate multimodal level‑of‑service standards, and a pair of changes to the land‑use designation map that includes a rezone request for the local food and clothing bank site and a staff‑proposed removal of the “community facilities” designation from the map.

Council members debated whether removing “community facilities” from the land‑use map met the docket criteria, especially the requirement that an amendment demonstrate a public benefit or address significantly changed conditions in the city. Supporters said removing the designation would streamline surplusing and resale of public properties (avoiding a site‑specific comp‑plan amendment every time a sale is proposed). Opponents said the change raises policy questions about the public value of public lands and could have unintended consequences for future councils.

Assistant Planning Director Stephen Padua told the council the docket is a state‑required list of potential amendments and that approval tonight would only place these topics on the work program; each item would return for separate review by the Planning Policy Commission and the City Council committee before final action. Padua said the middle‑housing project and the co‑living policy amendment are being advanced to comply with state House Bills noted in staff materials, and the transportation update responds to state direction to incorporate multimodal measures into concurrency.

Council members pressed staff on the community facilities item. Staff said they view the proposed change as a process improvement intended to reduce the need for ad‑hoc, site‑specific rezonings when the city decides to surplus property. Staff identified the city’s food and clothing bank site as an example: that site’s application to change land‑use designation would meet the docket criteria as a site‑specific rezone. Council members and committee members noted additional complexity because community facilities sometimes cover properties owned by other jurisdictions (the school district, the county or special districts) and because properties such as community centers have unique code standards for height and function that would have to be addressed if the designation were removed.

Council member concerns focused on (1) the definition of “public benefit” and whether faster surplusing alone constitutes a public benefit and (2) how to interpret the docket’s “significantly changed conditions” criterion when applied to city facilities planning. Some council members said they preferred further policy discussion before adding the map‑designation change to the docket; others said the Planning Policy Commission and the Planning, Development & Environment committee had already reviewed the item and recommended it proceed.

An amendment to remove docket item 3(a) — the proposal to remove community facilities and privately owned community facilities from the land‑use designation map — was moved and seconded for discussion and failed on a 5‑1 vote. The main motion to approve the full docket then passed unanimously, 6‑0.

Staff said that, if approved tonight, each docket item would become a discrete project with its own schedule and public review; the administration recommended approval. Padua and Community Planning & Development Director Minnie Dhaliwal said the Planning Policy Commission reviewed the docket in January and recommended the list to council.

The council vote does not itself change zoning or the comp plan; it directs staff to prepare formal amendment packages for each docketed item that will return to the Planning Policy Commission and council committee for review and public hearing later in the year.","The Issaquah City Council voted 6‑0 to approve the city’s 2025 docket of potential comprehensive plan and land‑use designation amendments, rejecting a council amendment to remove the “community facilities” land‑use designation from the docket after a split committee review and extended discussion about what constitutes a public benefit.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Issaquah council approves consent calendar, creates Fourth of July commission; flock camera discussion to proceed to staff work plan

Transportation Advisory Board outlines 2025 work plan, flags climate and station‑area planning as priorities

Issaquah staff outline permit‑process overhaul and new metrics as state timelines take effect

Issaquah council approves 2025 comprehensive‑plan docket after debate over ‘community facilities’ designation