Regional council designates Central Issaquah urban core a regional growth center

The section of land — roughly bounded to the north, south, east and west by Northwest Sammamish Road, Newport Way, the Pickering Trail and eastbound Exit 15 of Interstate Highway 90, respectively — is a key portion of the Central Issaquah Plan passed in 2012, designated to become the plan's urban core and allow dense development up to 10 stories.

By Daniel Nash • June 26, 2015 2:57 pm
The Central Issaquah Plan's urban core was recently designated an official regional growth center.
The Central Issaquah Plan's urban core was recently designated an official regional growth center.

On Thursday, the Puget Sound Regional Council’s executive board approved an application from the city of Issaquah to designate a portion of the city’s valley floor as an official regional growth center.

The section of land — roughly bounded to the north, south, east and west by Northwest Sammamish Road, Newport Way, the Pickering Trail and eastbound Exit 15 of Interstate Highway 90, respectively — is a key portion of the Central Issaquah Plan passed in 2012, designated to become the plan’s urban core and allow dense development up to 10 stories.

The Central Issaquah Plan has set a goal for 7,000 new homes and 19,000 new jobs in the urban core by 2031, embedded in a densely developed “walkable” area. The area is currently comprised of several low-rise shopping centers and other commercial space, including Pickering Place.

The regional growth center designation will give the urban core priority designation for federal transportation dollars that flow through the Puget Sound Regional Council.

Issaquah’s regional growth center is the 29th designated by the regional council.