As more and more lots continue to be developed in the city of Sammamish, residents have become increasingly concerned with the drainage system along Inglewood Hill Road. So much so, that at the July 15 meeting, the City Council passed an emergency ordinance featuring significantly tighter requirements for the 160 acres on both sides of the steep arterial.

“Many of these small lots along Inglewood Hill Road drain into landslide hazard areas,” City Manager Ben Yazici said. “Now that the economy has picked up and we’re seeing a lot more development, we took what we think was a very necessary step.”

The old standards required a review of drainage plans if the new building featured 2,000 square feet of impervious surface or more. The emergency ordinance drops that threshold to 500 square feet. Although the regulations took immediate effect, they will be subject to a public hearing on Sept. 2.

“We want to hear from all stakeholders in the Inglewood Hill Road area,” Yazici said. “Our planning commission will be looking at this issue later this year, and the council will do the same in 2015. We would like to put permanent, well-thought-out regulations in place no later than next year.”

The city has also budgeted $250,000 for the design of a pipe system that would safely transfer storm water down the slope of Inglewood Hill Road. If constructed, it would allow many of the new buildings in the area to funnel runoff into the central system.

For more information, contact Eric LaFrance at 425-295-0562 or elafrance@sammamish.us.