[{"_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",6235449,"mediaKeyId","3397829-5db2b4b3f723013a614fa720c5d153a4","parentId",3397829,"title","Resident warns of ‘potentially catastrophic’ fire risk on Idlewood Drive median; asks city to clear fuel and review evacuation plans","audioSeconds",364,"startMs",1792000,"endMs",2156000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3397829-5db2b4b3f723013a614fa720c5d153a4&start=1792&end=2156","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3397829-5db2b4b3f723013a614fa720c5d153a4/thumbnail_1792000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6235449/Issaquah/King-County/Washington/Resident-warns-of-potentially-catastrophic-fire-risk-on-Idlewood-Drive-median-asks-city-to-clear-fuel-and-review-evacuation-plans","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6235449-b496695b6617eabfcab4264593cb776f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180134&Signature=UWLqHfE~dSuxJPOAT5a1iE6Amm-RdcNT7Es3Lde9wlYtU02fRmxBqfnTZKxKuAvVu6Em4dzTR11VWBO4~JMZY2LFcg464uBsXCBkYuLhNYQWA527wUBoYpHD3Y00vDIfX74RSfszGm~gPwMiSbm3DG9Rjy0hHAuj59M-d2jQm79wfjur2DRnoPzFCo-OhfzL~pgVHhH4WSZC92xaF4pWaK4YzQXL3f8VURJNvgsTGJ~TA9sUTceMkb2s71t7fnpSAUZDsJV~xM3MWyBonfDWA6RF-CjtBJpJijWqZOGerSw2wotsyqix3X0V7~wkURedzvG1ks4CtxjhgZgtRBu8ug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Issaquah City, WA","date","2025-05-20T05:43:51Z","article","During audience comments at the May 19 Issaquah City Council meeting, resident Randy Harrison urged immediate action to address what he described as a “potentially catastrophic” wildfire risk on Idlewood Drive, a loop road with a city‑owned median that many residents do not maintain.

Harrison said the median is steep and often not mowed, leaving tall, dry grass and accumulated duff — the layer of decomposing leaves and fuel at the base of large trees — that could ignite from a discarded cigarette. He said he spoke previously with Eastside Fire and Rescue staff, who described a worst‑case scenario in which duff ignites, then lower tree branches burn, potentially turning trees into torches that could send embers miles downwind.

What he asked: Harrison asked that Public Works mow the shoulder of the median loop to reduce surface fuels and that the city remove accumulated duff under trees; he noted that crews previously cut low branches two years ago but that regrowth has reduced the benefit. He also urged the council to review evacuation planning for Squak Mountain neighborhoods where there are limited exit routes.

What city staff said or did: Public Works Director Emily Moon was in the room and the resident explicitly requested the department consider two steps: (1) mow the left‑hand shoulder of the median loop to keep dry grass away from vehicle flames/cigarette butts and (2) remove duff and combustible material under trees to lower the risk of crown ignition. The resident noted Eastside Fire and Rescue had prepared training materials referencing Idlewood Drive and that the city is working on an evacuation plan.

No formal action or vote was taken during the meeting; the item was raised as public comment. Councilmembers acknowledged the concern and the resident’s request that staff inspect the site and return with an assessment and potential mitigation steps.

Why it matters: the comment highlights wildfire risk in a densely treed residential area, the interplay of public‑ and private‑maintenance responsibilities for city‑owned medians, and the need to align vegetation management and evacuation planning.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Issaquah City Council Regular Meeting - May 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A resident told the council the unmaintained median on Idlewood Drive has accumulated duff and low branches that could turn trees into torches if ignited; he asked Public Works to mow and remove the litter and duff and urged the city to review evacuation routes.","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},6235454,"Issaquah council tightens vacancy process: seconds required for nominations, one‑vote rounds approved",2010,3701000,5711000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3397829-5db2b4b3f723013a614fa720c5d153a4&start=3701&end=5711","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3397829-5db2b4b3f723013a614fa720c5d153a4/thumbnail_3701000.jpg","/articles/6235454/Issaquah/King-County/Washington/Issaquah-council-tightens-vacancy-process-seconds-required-for-nominations-onevote-rounds-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6235454-9e84559926028a5b656ef78d5e8a0829/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180134&Signature=WY2dnQ8tflt-d5d7KaX7kFjvxR-7OMG4u0j5zNOozLc70XzBZbmkraOzqucgsdxwbQi9kKtSGjDTs6XGLs-Xto3hAyc2bHRwoOer1pTBKa9aR17m2-X7OWeom~G6ggCQ7IbBggoK6kt3hXKsVdoF5LNv4JxDkuiYnmyYniFgKVCnllcZ5jq65Pi5Qmv4HjgCTvHkPFX6h89wIb91hOr1pBXaBJpUjkGAIvaXlE34XhYSXobSh4fasEAxq05sk0qw3OzO1QCPJ41p1Sy3dtgjOb~XiP62JNTMg6~Tse6Ms1BgW5xM2IStFiNFn4iq4H-9UAVfDRU50VCJhBhlhdOTHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Issaquah City Council amended its rules of procedure on May 19 to clarify and tighten the process for filling council vacancies, adding requirements for nomination seconds, greater advance review of application materials, and a revised final‑voting method that limits each council member to one vote per round.

City Clerk Tisha Geiger presented the proposed changes following council direction from an April 7 debrief about the most recent appointment process. The amendments are intended to improve fairness and predictability by prompting the council to approve schedule details (application questions, presentation guidance and any public meet‑and‑greet events) when the vacancy timeline is set; to delegate presentation time decisions to council leadership when applications are received close to a hearing date; and to require that nominations be seconded before they move forward.

Members also discussed methods for narrowing nominees during the final appointment stage. After debate, the council adopted an amendment (proposed on the dais and drafted by the clerk) specifying that in the final appointment rounds each council member may cast one vote for a single nominee per round and should avoid voting on earlier nominees in order to reserve their vote for a preferred candidate. The rules retain a provision that nominees may withdraw from consideration; that withdrawal step will be used in cases where candidates advise they do not wish to remain on successive ballots.

Councilmember DeMichelle moved the clerk’s wording amendment on the voting process; the council subsequently approved the full resolution (No. 2025‑12) amending Section 2.03 of the City Council Rules of Procedure. The resolution passed unanimously.

Why it matters: the changes formalize several practices intended to make the appointment process clearer for applicants and the public and reduce procedural surprises during the final selection steps.

What the rules now require and allow:
• When council adopts a vacancy timeline, council will also be prompted to approve or delegate the application questions, presentation guidance and any meet‑and‑greet events.
• Nominations require a second before they are formally recorded. Council may narrow nominees either by voting on individual nominations or on slate(s); anyone receiving a majority advances to the next step.
• In the final appointment round each council member may cast one vote per round for their preferred nominee; nominees may withdraw between rounds. If council wishes to pursue more complex voting methods (for example ranked choice), staff indicated that could be explored later.

The clerk said an administrative standard operating procedure accompanies the rules change to capture implementation details for staff and to ensure consistent communications with applicants.","The council amended its rules of procedure to require seconds for nominations, give council leadership authority to set presentation timing, and adopt a one‑vote‑per‑member rule in final appointment rounds; the resolution passed unanimously.",{"_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},6235458,"Issaquah adopts middle‑housing and ADU code updates to meet state law while preserving critical areas protections",3381,3480000,6861000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3397829-5db2b4b3f723013a614fa720c5d153a4&start=3480&end=6861","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3397829-5db2b4b3f723013a614fa720c5d153a4/thumbnail_3480000.jpg","/articles/6235458/Issaquah/King-County/Washington/Issaquah-adopts-middlehousing-and-ADU-code-updates-to-meet-state-law-while-preserving-critical-areas-protections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6235458-8f1ec29ba43fda892973ee891886d965/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180134&Signature=KUTL~SuwOsG2hO96L8SfjNPO3cgzeNxFK5ucwdxXLCfHvXUoBf3J166pI1yTeHlW4ODEGO4CuWyV6ITolOPac2bmRL5SW9aSX4JFCzQ~fSfQV0k0UByPOz5q4HP-OCSG253jMZmJCPtIx2hR0TGyWistAoudLjrlHlZ~yC2~~BRRylDImA3vXzTkrfgwShl78p0qRYC-SdqszgtBhSkyNf~0JSIbWRBqBYfCMOuWczredGKpOWdenBCOBIqcm6Tv9ERCicnH3RGvLtTTQ-kO8RiUxvxrLyHTO2CYuFEEONomuBHFLlTHSFnrBmA6FKryXO9ORBe1~fKBCeDcKBMTjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Issaquah City Council on May 19 adopted a set of ordinances to bring local code into compliance with recent Washington state middle‑housing and accessory dwelling unit legislation while retaining critical areas protections and local design standards.

The package — four ordinances amending Issaquah Municipal Code Title 18 and the city’s street standards — had been developed with public outreach, Planning Policy Commission (PPC) review and Planning, Development and Environment committee input. Valerie Porter, an associate planner, told the council the code changes implement state House Bill 1110 (as amended) and House Bill 1337 for ADUs and reflect later clarifications on what constitutes a major transit stop.

Why it matters: the ordinance package expands permitted housing types in single‑family zones (duplex, triplex, fourplex, townhomes, cottage/courtyard and stacked flats) and sets lot‑density and permitting rules that aim to streamline smaller‑scale housing while protecting environmentally constrained lots and local neighborhood character.

Key points adopted:
• Lot density and permitting — Middle housing is defined to include building types with up to four units for streamlined administrative review; in general two dwelling units will be allowed per lot, and four units will be allowed on lots within a quarter‑mile walking distance of a major transit stop (the city clarified it currently has no qualifying major transit stop). Middle‑housing projects are generally exempt from a land‑use permit and will be reviewed by building permit only; existing frontage‑improvement requirements are waived for middle housing built on existing lots.
• ADUs — The code allows up to two ADUs on a lot with a detached single‑family dwelling in several configurations; ADUs count toward lot density. Owner‑occupancy requirements were removed to comply with state law.
• Affordability and sizing — For units designated as affordable, ownership units are defined at 80% of area median income (AMI) and rental affordable units at 60% AMI. PPC retained a 1,000‑square‑foot maximum for ADUs (a size the commission equated with a two‑bedroom unit).
• Design and open space — Design standards from Old Town were adapted citywide for new building types; cottage and courtyard housing require at least 20% of the lot be set aside for open space.
• Parking and frontage — The parking table was adjusted so detached single‑family homes with a garage plus driveway can use driveway stalls; street‑frontage rules were amended so middle housing on existing lots is not forced to build new frontage improvements.

Porter said PPC unanimously approved the package on March 27; Councilmember Hall, who chaired PDE during the process, said the committee took a deliberate approach, sought public input and recommended monitoring several items over time (lot density, ADU size and impact‑fee impacts).

Public comment during the meeting included Old Town residents urging preservation of neighborhood character and suggesting ADUs and modest increases in density as a gentler way to add housing. The Downtown Issaquah Association noted volunteer efforts and events that support economic vitality in the city core.

Council members who spoke supported the package while acknowledging tradeoffs: smaller middle‑housing units are likely to be the most feasible given local lot sizes and impervious‑surface limits; the council also signaled interest in exploring ways to leverage local funding (for example IHIP) to catalyze affordable middle‑housing projects.

The council adopted the ordinances (packet listed as Ordinance Nos. 3091–3094) with an implementation date adjusted in the clerk’s office to the minimum allowable effective date (May 27). The vote was unanimous.","The council unanimously adopted four ordinances to implement state middle‑housing and ADU laws, allowing duplexes through fourplexes, townhomes and other middle housing types in single‑family zones with design, parking and affordable‑unit requirements and several local exemptions.",{"_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},6235462,"Issaquah adopts updated sanitary sewer system plan, sets phased extension and capacity policies",1694,3226000,4920000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3397829-5db2b4b3f723013a614fa720c5d153a4&start=3226&end=4920","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3397829-5db2b4b3f723013a614fa720c5d153a4/thumbnail_3226000.jpg","/articles/6235462/Issaquah/King-County/Washington/Issaquah-adopts-updated-sanitary-sewer-system-plan-sets-phased-extension-and-capacity-policies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6235462-dc28579903209c88cece72f0995f74f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180134&Signature=cRF2orZdL8ifT5Exnx8j7jMowAEeBnRpdakOieQpzFXlwZ7gocya79ZvsX9WrltijMlXd3IQXCjOkMv3xWCy-iWP8eJxhZfr~8fAe9pjgf9pz5fDk~NYtEGysyYo6zTdiFaV8W7j-ihJGkgAD2YpKtx4t6mJdZFORvU9LLlaS8oM6G8aQuGOIq2zIjdSg2uqJj3xFmZ9BcuMnAzEbvVWKl0~hMXfkVIZwUPEeTepfXWGV67rdarpaJOTJrQNyPQIPjjgt6r~HoXVABO8qskYIkYMWzxbtsveyf9Wo-s2clQ0WY83q0U8p3Laqvtyz0iWWm5~0VONLKwboXG9gzyQug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Issaquah City Council on May 19 unanimously adopted a revised sanitary sewer system plan that lays out capital projects, phased sewer‑extension timelines for unsewered neighborhoods near environmentally sensitive areas, and code changes to address septic systems, grinder pumps and fats, oils and grease (FOG) from commercial establishments.

The plan, presented by Matt Ellis, the city’s utility engineering manager, sets three tiers for sewer extension priorities — Tier 1 (100‑year floodplain, shoreline buffer, and commercial/industrial) with a 20‑year goal; Tier 2 (stream buffers, wetland boundaries, documented high groundwater) with a 30‑year goal; and Tier 3 (critical aquifer recharge areas and wellhead protection zones) with a 40‑year goal. The council adopted Resolution No. 2025‑11 to approve the plan.

Why it matters: the plan updates Issaquah’s infrastructure strategy, prioritizing sewer installation where failing septic systems would most likely harm streams, wetlands and groundwater; it also creates clearer rules for when developers must fund upgrades and how the city will phase technical and inspection requirements.

Ellis told the council the plan updates the 2002 system plan and includes a capital improvement program with near‑term and long‑range projects. A major CIP on the list is the SW 18 South, Newport and Wildwood sewer remediation, currently estimated at about $1,200,000, with design in 2026 and construction in 2027. Ellis said the design will proceed while staff continue to search for upstream causes (for example, illicit storm connections) that might reduce the need to upsize pipes.

The plan also addresses operational matters: the city will require inspections and an inventory of private grinder pumps, maintain standardized lift‑station equipment and spare parts to assist homeowners, and adopt a 3‑year compliance window for commercial establishments to install appropriately sized grease interceptors or other best management practices for FOG control. Developers whose projects add flows that contribute to surcharging will be required to pay for system upgrades tied to that impact, Ellis said.

Interagency reviewers — including Washington State Department of Ecology, King County Board of Health and Sammamish Plateau Water and Sewer District — provided comments during the plan’s review. Ellis said Ecology asked the city to account for recent state legislative changes affecting housing growth forecasts and to clarify overflow reporting; the plan references reporting overflows to Ecology through the state’s reporting system within 24 hours. Sammamish Plateau staff asked whether the city’s sewer‑extension policy would apply beyond Issaquah’s current sewer service area; Ellis said the city’s extensions are limited to its service area and that extensions outside city limits would require annexation.

Council discussion noted the plan’s long public review and commended staff. The council emphasized three points adopted in the plan and implementation approach: (1) coordinating septic‑inspection and connection timing in code amendments (to be returned later this year as updates to Issaquah Municipal Code Titles 13 and 16); (2) a phased, practical compliance window for FOG controls to reduce burden on existing businesses; and (3) continued coordination with other sewer purveyors and state agencies.

No changes to service‑area responsibilities were made: Issaquah will plan extensions only where it is the sewer provider; areas served by Sammamish Plateau remain under that district’s purview unless annexed. The council approved the plan by roll call without dissent.

Looking ahead: staff will submit the final plan to Ecology and King County for formal acknowledgement, complete the attorney concurrence and bring the detailed code revisions on on‑site septic inspection and grease trap requirements back to council later this year for adoption.","The Issaquah City Council unanimously adopted a new sanitary sewer system plan that sets multi‑decade timelines for sewer extensions into environmentally sensitive areas, new developer contribution rules, and phased requirements for grease management and septic inspections.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident warns of ‘potentially catastrophic’ fire risk on Idlewood Drive median; asks city to clear fuel and review evacuation plans

Issaquah council tightens vacancy process: seconds required for nominations, one‑vote rounds approved

Issaquah adopts middle‑housing and ADU code updates to meet state law while preserving critical areas protections

Issaquah adopts updated sanitary sewer system plan, sets phased extension and capacity policies