Public Speaks on Commercial / Retail Proposal in Issaquah Highlands

Issaquah Highlands is not done growing yet! Issaquah Highlands has over 2.8M square feet of additional development zoned for commercial/institution.

A few of the largest potential land developments are still in planning stages, including a plan for future development is from Shelter Holdings, the owners of the property along 9^th Ave NE and Discovery Drives. For the past several months, their proposal has been under review by the City of Issaquah Development Commission. Because this application is in dispute, proceedings have been lengthy and run like a court room, with presentations of evidence and testimony.

The long-awaited public comments part of the proceeding opened on Wednesday, March 20 at the Development Commission meeting held in Council Chambers starting at 6:30pm. After 2.5 hours of testimony by the applicant, the public was welcomed to speak. Of the six speakers, four Issaquah Highlands residents expressed their opinions about the proposal before the Commission:

Mike Zalewski of West Highlands Park expressed opposition to another self-storage facility located in the Highlands, especially as close to housing as proposed by Shelter Holdings.

Jonathan Li On Wing, also of West Highlands Park, joined in opposing the self-storage facility part of the Shelter Holdings proposal.

Sathyaprasad Ramaseshan, another resident of West Highlands Park, spoke of his concern about the location of the proposed self-storage facility. He also questioned the safety of access to the Medical building proposed on the corner of 9^th and Discovery.

Geoff Walker, 20+ year resident of Issaquah Highlands and 19-year member of the City of Issaquah Urban Village Development Commission, presented his overall opinion of the proposed development. He expressed his strong support of balanced development in Issaquah Highlands, taking into account “all the different uses we have up there for a live, work and play community.” Walker expressed disappointment in what Shelter Holdings is proposing to build, naming the storage facility and the “large parking lot, single-story retail.”

You can watch the entire meeting, and those preceding it, on the City of Issaquah YouTube channel.

You can read our previous coverage of this topic here>>>.

The next Development Commission meetings on this topic are scheduled for April 16 and 30 at 6:30pm in City Council Chambers. The public is welcome to attend (or watch on ICTV Channel 21), but the public comment part of this proceeding is now closed.