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Planning commission approves Snoqualmie Valley Health hub design review amid traffic and parking concerns
Summary
The Snoqualmie Planning Commission voted to approve a four‑story ambulatory care hub proposed by Snoqualmie Valley Health, clearing a key discretionary review while deferring site‑plan and traffic details to administrative review and WSDOT coordination.
The Snoqualmie Planning Commission approved a design review application April 21 for a new Snoqualmie Valley Health ambulatory hub next to the existing hospital, a project proponent said will add clinics, outpatient surgery and community wellness amenities.
Commissioners voted to approve the design review “as submitted without conditions,” after presentations from the hospital team and city staff and an extended question-and-answer period about access, parking and neighborhood impacts.
The approved proposal places a stepped, four‑story medical building on the vacant parcel northeast of the existing hospital, adjacent to wetland buffers. Project architects described a “hub” with a breezeway, retail pharmacy, immediate care, an ambulatory surgery suite on the top floor, therapy and rehab spaces, a two‑story climbing wall and dining and community spaces intended to connect patients, staff and the public.
“It's about an innovative approach to taking health care from sick care to well care and meeting our community where they are,” said Renee Jensen of Snoqualmie Valley Health. Architect PJ Bowser of Malam Architects said the design aims to link the building to the site’s topography and to “restore that site to some of its original grandeur.”
City planning consultant Andrew Levins told commissioners that staff had reviewed the design against the applicable Snoqualmie Ridge guidelines and recommended approval. “Overall, staff has reviewed the project and ... found it to be consistent with all of the guidelines,” Levins said.
Commissioners pressed the project team on traffic and circulation. The applicant said a traffic impact study was submitted and updated for the city’s second review; the proposal includes a new traffic signal at the intersection of Southeast 90th Street and Snoqualmie Parkway and a right‑in/right‑out driveway at the site access, with preliminary coordination with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).
“There is a new traffic signal … preliminarily coordinated with WSDOT,” the architect said, adding the signal and dedicated turn lanes should improve queuing and safety. Commissioners and several speakers cautioned that a new signal could add delay for some commuters and urged continued coordination with WSDOT and the city’s traffic engineers.
The team said parking and operational plans were sized for the facility’s multiple shifts rather than a single peak: the application proposes 267 new parking stalls on site and the hospital indicated staffing would grow from roughly 300 employees to 600 when fully built out — a point hospital leadership raised in answering staffing questions.
The proposal also includes EV readiness in phases: the applicant described roughly 20 EV stalls to be equipped at opening, roughly 20 more with conduit for an early ramp‑up and additional capacity in the electrical service to add further chargers later. The applicant told the commission final EV installations will be confirmed with building permits.
Wetland buffers and trail connectivity were described as part of the site plan. The applicant said the project will develop in a previously cleared area, restore portions of adjacent wetlands and extend the Snoqualmie Parkway trail through the site to connect to Southeast 90th Street.
Commissioners also asked how the hospital’s ancillary amenities — notably a two‑story climbing wall and AI‑integrated therapy equipment — would be programmed. Jensen said the climbing wall will be integrated with the physical therapy and rehab program and available to community users and partner groups; the hospital said programming details and membership/usage rules are still being developed.
The commission’s approval applied only to the discretionary design review; Levins told the commission that the site plan, clearing and grading and other permits will be processed administratively. He further noted that traffic impacts and environmental review (SEPA) will be covered as part of the remaining permit reviews and that some engineering details remain subject to WSDOT review.
The commission approved the design review application in a roll call voice vote — “All in favor? Aye.” The commission did not attach conditions to the design review approval; outstanding technical and permitting items move forward through administrative review and the building permit process.
