Joshua Schaer announces City Council re-election bid
February 17, 2011
NEW — 2 p.m. Feb. 17, 2011
Joshua Schaer
Incumbent Joshua Schaer announced plans Thursday to run for a second term, setting off the campaign season for City Council seats.
The candidate highlighted environmental accomplishments in the announcement, including a first-on-the-Eastside food-packaging ordinance.
“Shaping the future of our community is a great honor,” he said in a statement. “I look forward to another four years of creating practical solutions, while continuing to advocate for fiscal responsibility.”
Schaer drafted and shepherded the food-packaging ordinance to fruition throughout 2009. Though the measure initially raised concerns among local restaurateurs, the compliance date in October 2010 passed quietly.
Schaer also leads the Council Transportation Committee and serves as the Issaquah representative to the Eastside Transportation Partnership, a regional group responsible for road and transit issues.
Nominate environmentalists for Ruth Kees award
January 25, 2011
Nominate environmentalists for the top city eco-honor — the Ruth Kees Environmental Award for a Sustainable Community.
The annual award recognizes people for a record of outstanding commitment to natural resource preservation. Kees, a teacher, mentor and role model, advocated open space preservation and environmental protection.
The application is available on the municipal website. Submit nominations until 5 p.m. Feb. 25.
Then, a committee reviews nominees and recommends a group of finalists to Mayor Ava Frisinger and City Council President John Traeger for selection.
The award is usually presented at a spring or summer council meeting.
Nominate Issaquah environmentalists for top ‘green’ honor
January 21, 2011
NEW — 4 p.m. Jan. 21, 2011
Nominate environmentalists for the top city eco-honor — the Ruth Kees Environmental Award for a Sustainable Community.
The annual award recognizes people for a record of outstanding commitment to natural resource preservation. Kees, a teacher, mentor and role model, advocated open space preservation and environmental protection.
The city put out a call for applications Friday. Submit nominations until 5 p.m. Feb. 25.
Then, a committee reviews nominees and recommends a group of finalists to Mayor Ava Frisinger and City Council President John Traeger for selection.
The award is usually presented at a spring or summer council meeting.
Park Pointe preservation reaches ‘historic’ milestone
December 28, 2010
Leaders build framework to save Tiger Mountain land, build Bellevue College campus
In a series of decisions a councilman described as a “historic moment,” City Council members assembled the framework Dec. 20 to preserve more than 100 Tiger Mountain acres and attract a Bellevue College campus to Issaquah.
The council OK’d agreements related to the long-running effort to preserve 102 forested acres on Tiger Mountain and, through a complicated transfer of development rights, open land in the Issaquah Highlands to Bellevue College and homebuilders for construction. Read more
Park Pointe preservation reaches ‘historic’ milestone
December 21, 2010
NEW — 8 a.m. Dec. 21, 2010
In a series of decisions a councilman described as a “historic moment,” City Council members assembled the framework Monday to preserve more than 100 Tiger Mountain acres and attract a Bellevue College campus to Issaquah.
The council OK’d agreements related to the long-running effort to preserve 102 forested acres on Tiger Mountain and, through a complicated transfer of development rights, open land in the Issaquah Highlands to Bellevue College and homebuilders for construction.
“This is really a historic moment for the city,” Council President John Traeger said before the unanimous decisions.
Greenway pioneer receives top environmental honor
July 13, 2010
Mountains to Sound Greenway pioneer Ted Thomsen — “the unsung hero” behind the 101-mile greenbelt — received the highest environmental honor in Issaquah in a City Hall ceremony last week.
The late Thomsen received the Ruth Kees Award for a Sustainable Community — the prize named for the late environmentalist, a tireless advocate for open space preservation. The city selected Thomsen for the yearslong effort to establish a billboard-free greenbelt from Seattle to Central Washington along Interstate 90.
Cynthia Welti, Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust executive director, nominated Thomsen for the honor.
“He was essential to bringing the greenway vision to fruition,” she recalled in the nomination. “Ted is the unsung hero of the launch of this tremendous coalition effort.”
Greenway leader receives top environmental honor
July 6, 2010
NEW — 7:50 p.m. July 6, 2010
Mountains to Sound Greenway pioneer Ted Thomsen — “the unsung hero” behind the 101-mile greenbelt — received the highest environmental honor in Issaquah on Tuesday night.
The late Thomsen received the Ruth Kees Award for a Sustainable Community — the prize named for late environmentalist, a tireless advocate for open space preservation. The city selected Thomsen for the yearslong effort to establish a billboard-free greenbelt from Seattle to Central Washington along Interstate 90.
Cynthia Welti, Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust executive director, nominated Thomsen for the honor.
“He was essential to bringing the greenway vision to fruition,” she recalled in the nomination. “Ted is the unsung hero of the launch of this tremendous coalition effort.”
Committee appointed to guide redevelopment
July 6, 2010
The city and developer Rowley Properties called on former city councilmen and community leaders last week to help guide redevelopment on almost 90 acres.
City planners and Rowley representatives announced the creation of the citizens group to offer input on a proposal to redevelop land near state Route 900 and Interstate 90.
The committee appointments represent the latest step in a decadeslong process to reshape Hyla Crossing — about 62 acres arranged in a rough triangle and wedged between the interstate and the base of Cougar Mountain — and Rowley Center — about 26 acres bordered by Northwest Maple Street, 12th Avenue Northwest, Northwest Gilman Boulevard and state Route 900 — into mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly areas.
City Council members agreed in early April to proceed with the proposal. The council agreed to spend up to $750,000 — to be reimbursed by the developer — to complete the framework for a development agreement.
City, Rowley Properties form committee to guide redevelopment
June 29, 2010
NEW — 5:15 p.m. June 29, 2010
The city and developer Rowley Properties announced the creation of a citizens group to offer input on a proposal to redevelop almost 90 acres in Issaquah’s commercial center.
The city unveiled the committee lineup Tuesday afternoon. The group plans to meet throughout the summer and fall, and then deliver recommendations to the city and developer.
Members meet for the first time 4:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the John L. Scott building, 1700 N.W. Gilman Blvd, Suite 100. The city plans to post a complete meeting schedule online.
City Council delays undercrossing proposal
June 15, 2010
Completing a piece of the Interstate 90 Undercrossing hinges on a pact headed to the City Council next week.
The city needs to secure right of way along 221st Place Southeast in order to complete paving and install a traffic signal where the road meets Southeast 62nd Street.
Staffers proposed a development agreement between the city and landowners Doug and Linda Ebi to acquire the right of way. The council held a public hearing on the proposed agreement June 7, but after residents and council members raised questions about the deal, sent the proposal to the city River & Streams Board and the Council Land & Shore Committee for additional scrutiny.
The measure will return to the full council for another hearing June 21.
The undercrossing should be completed in November. The phase attached to the Ebi property includes paving three lanes — but not installing curbs, gutters or sidewalks — from 221st Place Southeast to East Lake Sammamish Parkway.
