After a lengthy discussion about traffic lights, parking spots, and other transportation mitigation on Monday, Feb. 2 the Issaquah City Council unanimously approved the master site plan and site development permit applications for Issaquah High School reconstruction.

The project had the general support of the council, but concerns remained about the exact details of what traffic improvements would be made, and who would be paying for them.

“I fully agree with this project, with the understanding that other issues need to be addressed,” said Councilman Joshua Schaer.

The discussion was a closed-record hearing, meaning no new information could be presented that wasn’t included in the original presentation to the Development Commission.

The developer and architect highlighted key aspects of the new school: at 285,000 square feet it will have three three-story classroom buildings, a new gym and performing arts center, and will accommodate 1,850 students. It will also include sustainable features such as rain gardens and pervious pavement, along with separate areas for buses.

Some of the contentious traffic issues include a possible signal at the intersection of 2nd Avenue and Sunset Way, and the removal of on-street parking along Sunset Way.

Council President Maureen McCary cited an e-mail a Sunset Way resident wrote suggesting timed no-parking zones instead of completely removing the spots, and asked if this was a possible.

Councilman Schaer also questioned the traffic light, and stated that without doing traffic analysis to show its effectiveness, he couldn’t reasonably support it.

However, because discussion of these options weren’t included in the original record, Council members received no answers to their questions.

Details regarding traffic mitigation will be reviewed by the Public Works Department, and decisions will be made at a later date.