Planning Commission unanimously recommends docketing land‑use map change for former CWU site

The Sammamish City Planning Commission on Oct. 16 voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council include a site‑specific future land use map amendment for Building 120 on the 2026 docket.

Jackie Balil, management analyst with the Community Development Department, told the commission the property—formerly used by Central Washington University and historically known as the Mars Hill Church site—was currently designated in the comprehensive plan as neighborhood residential. Balil said staff proposes changing the future land use designation to “mixed use center,” which would allow the site to be rezoned through the zone reclassification process for uses such as civic, cultural or recreational space and affordable or workforce housing. Balil said the site is “located off of 228 and next to Eastlake High School” and noted the city purchased the property in 2015 and CWU ended its lease this past summer.

Balil explained the docket is the annual process for deciding which comprehensive plan and development regulation amendments the city will review and said that under Sammamish Municipal Code Title 24A, docket requests are first screened for alignment with staff work plans, budget and staff availability, and consistency with city policy. She said staff recommended docketing the Building 120 request, noting work plan alignment was answered “no” (it does not align with an existing work plan item), budget and staff availability were “limited,” and the request otherwise was consistent with local, regional and state policies. She told commissioners that any environmental review for the site might require consultant support and that legislative review would likely occur in late 2026 if council dockets the item.

During public comment, Peter Brennan, vice president of land development at Innovation Realty Partners, said he supported “moving forward with the town center rezoning shown on the future land use map and related code updates,” arguing that aligning zoning with the town center subarea plan would concentrate growth where services and infrastructure can support it. Paul Stickney of Sammamish urged the commission to “plan for growth” and suggested adding an internal market‑rate housing target alongside the city’s regional target. Debbie Treen urged the commission to remove Sammamish’s goal to become an urban growth center from the comprehensive plan, citing King County criteria she said the city did not meet.

Commissioners asked staff about timing and capacity. Ajay Chakrabani questioned what “limited” staff availability and budget meant; Balil and staff said the constraint was primarily timing—staff capacity is finite and some specialized environmental review would likely require existing consultant contracts or additional consultant budget. Commissioner Mike Bresco and others confirmed the docketing decision would not bind the council to immediate action: if the item is docketed, work could be scheduled later in 2026 or carried into 2027 depending on priorities.

After public comment the commission moved to recommend the council set the 2026 docket as shown in the packet. The motion was seconded and, after brief discussion, passed unanimously.

Next steps Balil outlined: the City Council will hold a public hearing Nov. 18 and then vote on a resolution to set the docket; if the council dockets the Building 120 request, legislative review and environmental analysis would follow in 2026.