Council reviews draft housing cooperation agreement for Trailhead transit-oriented project; no vote tonight

The Issaquah City Council on May 5 reviewed a draft Housing Cooperation Agreement (HCA) between the City and the King County Housing Authority (KCHA) for the Trailhead Transit-Oriented Development, a two-building project that would include an affordable housing building and a market-rate building, a public plaza and a city-owned Opportunity Center.

City staff and KCHA representatives asked the council for guidance on five code waivers they say are needed to preserve the affordable building’s financial viability: exemption from the step-back requirement above the fifth floor, relief from ground‑floor parking-separation and transparency rules on certain frontages, flexibility in how private versus shared outdoor amenity area is provided, and allowing the affordable building to meet Washington’s Evergreen Sustainable Development Standard (ESDS) instead of LEED Platinum.

Andrea Snyder, deputy city administrator, told the council they were not asking for adoption tonight. “We’re here for you tonight not for a decision on the HCA, but rather your feedback and guidance,” she said. Pending council feedback, staff plans to return with the HCA for possible adoption in June.

Dan Landis, vice president of development for the King County Housing Authority, reviewed the project history and the changes that have reduced the site’s development capacity. He…