Issaquah milestones from 2012 reflect challenges, changes
December 25, 2012
Backhoes from Santana Trucking & Excavating dig June 26 at the southeast corner of the intersection of Northeast High Street and Highlands Drive Northeast, as construction starts on the Issaquah Highlands retail center. By Greg Farrar
Challenges — whether economic, political or social — defined the year.
City OKs buildings up to 125 feet tall in business district
December 25, 2012
Redevelopment plan calls for more than 7,000 residences
City leaders raised the building height limit to 125 feet in the business district and raised the stakes for redevelopment in the decades ahead.
The roadmap to redevelopment — a document called the Central Issaquah Plan — also creates a framework to add more than 7,000 residences on about 1,000 acres stretched along Interstate 90.
In a series of decisions reached Dec. 17 after years spent re-envisioning the business district, a relieved City Council adopted the Central Issaquah Plan, but delayed action on a key piece until at least April.
“It’s the right plan at the right time,” Councilman Fred Butler said. “It will not happen overnight, but when the time is right, we will be ready.”
City Council approves pact to transform gravel quarry to urban village
December 25, 2012
The gravel quarry carved into the hillside below the Issaquah Highlands is poised to transform into businesses and homes in the next 30 years, after the City Council approved a landmark development agreement to reshape the area.
The landowner and quarry operator, Issaquah-based Lakeside Industries Inc., proposed the pact last year for about 120 acres on both sides of Highlands Drive Northeast. The council approved the development agreement Dec. 17, despite concerns about building height, traffic congestion and contamination in the Lower Issaquah Valley Aquifer, a key drinking water source for the city.
“There was a lot of push and pull, a lot of compromise, and I think it’s an agreement that both is good for my family and is also good for the city of Issaquah, and that we will live to see a development on this site that enhances the city,” Lakeside Industries CEO Tim Lee said before the unanimous council decision.
Issaquah Democrat Mark Mullet joins state Senate
December 4, 2012
State Supreme Court Chief Justice Barbara Madsen (left) administers the oath of office to state Sen. Mark Mullet, D-Issaquah, in the Senate chamber Nov. 30. Contributed
Issaquah City Councilman Mark Mullet joined the state Senate on Nov. 30 — 45 days before other freshman lawmakers convene in Olympia for the 2013 legislative session.
In a ceremony on the Senate floor, state Supreme Court Chief Justice Barbara Madsen administered the oath to Mullet as the Democrat’s family members watched.
Mullet joined the Senate after a bruising contest against Snoqualmie Republican Brad Toft to represent the 5th Legislative District — a mishmash between suburban and rural communities stretched between Issaquah and Snoqualmie Pass.
The last senator to represent the district, Maple Valley Republican Cheryl Pflug, resigned from the seat in June to serve on a state board. Sammamish Republican Dino Rossi — senator from the district in the late 1990s and early 2000s — served in the role between Pflug’s resignation and Mullet’s arrival.
Issaquah Democrat Mark Mullet joins state Senate
November 30, 2012
State Supreme Court Chief Justice Barbara Madsen (left) administers the oath of office to state Sen. Mark Mullet, D-Issaquah, in the Senate chamber Friday. Contributed
NEW — 4:05 p.m. Nov. 30, 2012
Issaquah City Councilman Mark Mullet joined the state Senate on Friday afternoon, 45 days before other freshman lawmakers convene in Olympia for the 2013 legislative session.
In local legislative contests, outside spending reshapes races
November 27, 2012
Issaquah Democrat Mark Mullet raised $315,166 in the race to represent Issaquah in the state Senate and garnered 36,630 votes throughout the 5th Legislative District.
The total raised amounts to about $8.60 per vote for the ubiquitous campaign mailers, yard signs and TV spots, and online advertising in Mullet’s successful race against Snoqualmie Republican Brad Toft.
Toft collected $306,599 and received 30,683 votes districtwide — or about $9.99 per vote.
How much did Issaquah legislative candidates raise?
November 27, 2012
The candidates to represent Issaquah in Olympia raised a combined $1.5 million to fund legislative campaigns.
Officials examine Eastside Fire & Rescue’s business plan
November 27, 2012
It remains to be seen whether things will stay cordial when dollar figures get involved, but Eastside Fire & Rescue partners appear to be finding common ground regarding ways to fund the agency.
The agency is in a full-fledged review of the way it does business, with elected officials and city and EFR staff members holding weekly committee meetings to address the way fire service is provided and how cities are billed for it. The agreement between EFR’s partners — Issaquah, Sammamish, North Bend, and King County fire protection districts 10 and 38 — is due to expire at the end of 2014.
Junior State of America promotes activism
November 27, 2012
Sampurna Basu Skyline High School
Although election season has wrapped up, members of Skyline High School’s debate club, JSA, have been part of the political hype from the very beginning.
Skyline JSA’s mission is to promote political activism and awareness in all of its members, thereby fighting apathy and giving youths the chance to speak their minds. At weekly meetings, students debate current issues and events using standard parliamentary procedure. The meetings, coupled with regional competitions and chapter conventions, are a great way for students to further their debate and public speaking skills.
This year, the club also had the exciting opportunity to host Democratic candidate Mark Mullet (recently elected to represent Issaquah in the Washington State Senate), at one of its meetings, giving students the chance to learn about his campaign platform firsthand.
Eastside Fire & Rescue to build Issaquah garage
November 20, 2012
Eastside Fire & Rescue board members signed off on a $268,000 plan Nov. 8 to add an outbuilding behind the agency’s Issaquah headquarters.
The 50-by-100-foot garage — plus a 48-by-20-foot covered parking area — would shelter fire trucks, aid units and other vehicles that now sit uncovered behind the headquarters building, exposed to rain, wind and snow. The new building would also allow the agency to free up space in its shop facility that is used to house equipment.
“This is not a Cadillac or Rolls Royce addition,” said Mark Mullet, EFR board member and Issaquah city councilman. “This is barebones … This is the cheapest building we could build.”
The plan for the building includes a 30-year depreciation schedule that allows an EFR partner to be reimbursed for most of its portion of the building if it leaves the agency.
