Issaquah Development Commission approves Burgermaster landmark sign alterations

The City of Issaquah Development Commission on June 11 approved changes to the Burgermaster landmark sign, allowing the restaurant to install updated branding while retaining the sign’s landmark protections.

The commission voted to accept the applicant’s revised submittal — a wood-grain orange barrel with a red branding oval and updated lettering — after staff recommended approval with a condition that the barrel color remain close to the sign’s existing orange and commissioners weighed trademark and historic-preservation considerations.

Staff said the commission had previously designated the sign a landmark on May 22 and that proposed material changes exceeded 50% of the sign area, triggering a full review under Issaquah’s sign rules. "We recommend approving the sign as it has been resubmitted and is presented to you all tonight," a city staff member told the commission.

Staff explained the sign-area calculation used to determine allowed lettering size: the relevant façade measured about 62.5 feet by 11.5 feet (approximately 718.75 square feet); the city’s code allows about 7% of that façade to be signed (roughly 50 square feet). The proposed top lettering…