Issaquah: Planning for Growth
Issaquah is strategically positioned for significant future development. While maintaining its urban-suburban feel along the I-90 corridor, the city anticipates substantial transformation, particularly in Central Issaquah and Olde Town. City plans, including the Comprehensive Plan and Central Issaquah Plan, explicitly target these areas for increased residential and employment density over the next two decades to meet mandated growth targets. This future Issaquah will see a deliberate shift in land use patterns to accommodate an expanding population and job market, building upon its existing base of major employers like Costco.
Issaquah: HB 1110 and Planning for Middle Housing
The quiet suburban city of Issaquah, Washington, is grappling with a pressing urban issue: how to increase housing affordability while preserving its small-town charm. Recent state legislation has mandated that cities across the state adopt regulations to allow for more middle housing—duplexes, triplexes, and the like—on residential lots. Issaquah, like many other cities, is now tasked with navigating a delicate balancing act between accommodating state requirements and maintaining the character of its neighborhoods.