Do you think putting a gas station in the Issaquah Highlands compromises the sustainable, ecologically friendly, vision of the development and the city? Given that almost all high level discussions on the future of transportation recognize greatly reduced oil consumption in favor of other modes of transport, do you think this is an investment worthy of the city’s support?

Position 7

Tola Marts

Normally I give definitive answers to these questions, but this one still has too many unknowns.

Generally, I think property owners have the right to use their land as they see fit, as long as they meet zoning and easement regulations.

And I’ve spoken with many Highlands residents who tell me they’d like to have this gas station.

But Port Blakely originally said they weren’t going to need gas stations in the Highlands, and that’s how the Master Development Agreement is written. So the law would need to be changed to build a gas station.

And there are environmental concerns about having the gas station so close to the aquifer that provides most of the drinking water for Issaquah.

I was there when the Land Use Committee referred this matter back for clarification of the risk mitigations, and I also want to hear the answers before making up my mind.

Nathan Perea

As a Highlands resident I have to give merit to the 72 percent of my neighbors who responded to a recent survey in favor of a gas station, but can certainly understand those who push-back against the big picture of adding another petroleum-based fuel station.

In our current reality, thousands of Highlands residents who need gas on their way home or on their way out add extra miles, idling time and stop-and-go driving in order to fill up.

If residents are refueling their cars in other cities before coming home, they are leaving their tax dollars in that other city as well.

Adding a station, however, does not mean that the community has to abandon our goal of an oil-independent future.

During the gradual transition away from petroleum consumption, I will work to add infrastructure like more recharge stations to accommodate electric vehicles and the expansion of affordable mass-transit.

Position 5

Maureen McCarry

Originally, Port Blakely’s vision was a live/work/play/school community. This is a good vision. This city and your taxes made significant supportive investments including:

• Zoning for 3 million square feet of commercial development

• A Park & Ride

• Funding expansion of the 200 bus to the Highlands and connecting to transit and retail

• And supporting alternative fuel – 34 “Plug and Rides” in King County – of which 14 were allocated to the Highlands.

Gas stations were not part of the plan, so something must have changed.

As a Councilmember of the Land Use Committee and the City Council, I want to be supportive of our communities’ interests both environmentally and commercially.

Why do Highland residents seek gas stations?

If so, how many and how would this affect the flow of traffic on Highlands Drive?

There is still more to do on this important issue and I look forward to working on it.

Joan Probala

A gas station is just a gas station.

An alternate fuel station is something different.

Why not be creative and build the station of the future? Just like the fire station, this new facility can be built to meet LEED standards and be fueled by solar or wind energy.

It can provide plug-ins for the new electric cars.

Requirements can be put in place for the ability to upgrade to new fuel sources as they become available.

Issaquah has always been a leader in the enhancement and protection of our natural resources.

This facility can set the standards and be a teaching opportunity to encourage gas station owners to prepare for a change to alternate fuels and to encourage the population to use them.

This depends on the studies confirming no contaminants will leak into the aquifer, the market status and on the desire of the residents.

Position 3 – unopposed

Eileen Barber, incumbent, did not respond.

Position 1 – unopposed

Mark Mullet

The common goal we share is to reduce negative impacts to the environment.

Adding a gas station to the Issaquah Highlands is an effective way to reduce congestion in the Front Street corridor, which makes it an effective method for reducing negative impacts to the environment.

I have been an Issaquah Highland’s resident for over three years. Our family has an electric car and traditional gas powered vehicle.

When the gas powered vehicle is low on gas we are forced to exit I-90 at Front Street to fill-up the tank.

We are adding unnecessary congestion to an area of our city that already experiences bad traffic.

To not build a gas station because it is “old technology” will cause congestion in our city for future generations.

I support having a gas station off Highlands Drive to improve traffic in Issaquah. Less congestion is better for our environment, and better for our city.

Mayor – unopposed

Ava Frisinger, incumbent, did not respond.