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Residents tell Issaquah council stalled Tesla chargers undermine EV access; pastor defends student protesters
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Summary
During public comment, a South Cove resident urged city help to reopen a completed Tesla charging station and said Tesla staff suggested permit conflicts might lead to removal; a local pastor described intervening to deescalate a Feb. 9 student protest confrontation and thanked police for their response.
Several residents used the Feb. 23 public-comment period to press the council on transportation infrastructure and community safety.
David Banks of the South Cove neighborhood told the council he has been waiting for a Tesla charging station near Barnes & Noble on Gilman Boulevard to open. Banks said the site's permit was filed in May 2023, construction occurred in 2024 and equipment installation finished in 2025, but the chargers remain closed. "I'm excited about them, but I'm thinking there aren't enough chargers," Banks said, and he recounted speaking with a Tesla employee at another location who told him Tesla might remove equipment because of difficulties with the permit process and coordination with Puget Sound Energy. Banks asked the city to "salvage this project" if possible.
Corby Casler, executive director of the Downtown ISCLA Association, offered an unrelated community announcement about an open house and volunteer events Feb. 25 at the Issaquah Library meeting room.
Rick Schuel, pastor of Faith United Methodist Church, described observing a student-led protest on Feb. 9 and intervening to separate two women who confronted teenagers. Schuel said the confrontation lasted about 90 seconds and that many students were unaware it had occurred until videos circulated online. He warned that outside content creators' involvement prompted doxing, harassment and threats against children and praised police for their on-scene response. "I stand behind our students and their right to assemble and to voice their fears and their concerns," Schuel said.
City staff and council did not take action on either matter during the meeting; the council asked staff to follow up with David Banks to collect contact information so the city can check on the Tesla station status.
