Issaquah City Council adopts updated lake, creek shoreline plan
February 26, 2013
The Issaquah City Council voted unanimously Feb. 19 to adopt updated plans for land along Issaquah Creek and Lake Sammamish.
The updated Shoreline Master Program is designed to guide construction and development for 12 miles along the creek and the lake. The rules combine local plans for future development and preservation, plus recent development ordinances and related permitting requirements. The plan is meant to minimize environmental damage to shoreline areas.
Following a state mandate, the city has been working for several years to update its plan. More than a dozen public meetings on the matter took place between 2007 and Dec. 19, 2011, when the council approved the shoreline update. The plan was then sent to the state Department of Ecology, which reviewed the program and sent it back to the council Sept. 24, with requests for a few specific changes.
State OKs King County rules for creek, lake
January 29, 2013
The state Department of Ecology approved King County rules for development near shorelines, including Issaquah Creek and Lake Sammamish, county and state officials announced Jan. 17.
The plan, or shoreline master program, is designed to guide construction and development on almost 2,000 miles of marine, stream and lake shorelines countywide.
State approves plan for Issaquah Creek, Lake Sammamish
January 17, 2013
NEW — 10 a.m. Jan. 17, 2013
The state Department of Ecology approved King County rules for development near shorelines, including Issaquah Creek and Lake Sammamish, county and state officials announced Thursday.
The plan, or shoreline master program, is designed to guide construction and development on almost 2,000 miles of marine, stream and lake shorelines countywide. The rules combine local plans for future development and preservation, plus recent development ordinances and related permitting requirements.
The county Shoreline Master Program includes stretches of Issaquah Creek — from the headwaters on Tiger Mountain to the Issaquah city limits — and the mouth of the creek in Lake Sammamish State Park.
Citizens can comment on Issaquah shoreline rules
June 12, 2012
The state Department of Ecology requested input from citizens as officials evaluate the city-developed plans for land along Issaquah Creek and Lake Sammamish.
The updated Shoreline Master Program is designed to guide construction and development for 12 miles along the creek and the lake. The agency is accepting public comments on the proposed rules until June 29.
Email comments and questions to city Environmental Planner Peter Rosen at peterr@ci.issaquah.wa.us. Call 837-3094 to ask questions about the proposal.
The proposed rules combine local plans for future development and preservation, plus recent development ordinances and related permitting requirements. The plan is meant to minimize environmental damage to shoreline areas.
The proposal contains distinct rules for creekside and lakeside development. Planners also included measures to control erosion and limit construction along Lake Sammamish.
Once the public comment period ends, Department of Ecology officials could approve the proposed Shoreline Master Program as-is, reject the document or direct city officials to modify specific parts.
State Department of Ecology scrutinizes proposed shoreline rules
May 29, 2012
The state Department of Ecology requested input from citizens as officials evaluate the city-developed plans for land along Issaquah Creek and Lake Sammamish.
The updated Shoreline Master Program is designed to guide construction and development for 12 miles along the creek and the lake. The agency is accepting public comments on the proposed rules until June 29.
The proposed rules combine local plans for future development and preservation, plus recent development ordinances and related permitting requirements. The plan is meant to minimize environmental damage to shoreline areas, reserve appropriate areas for water-oriented uses and protect public access to the shoreline.
King County plan for creek, lake is under review
March 6, 2012
The state Department of Ecology requested input from residents as officials evaluate the King County-developed plan for shorelines, including Issaquah Creek and Lake Sammamish.
The updated plan is designed to guide construction and development on almost 2,000 miles of marine, stream and lake shorelines countywide. The proposal combines local plans for future development and preservation, plus recent development ordinances and related permitting requirements.
King County plan for Issaquah Creek, Lake Sammamish is under review
February 20, 2012
NEW — 6 a.m. Feb. 20, 2012
The state Department of Ecology requested input from residents as officials evaluate the King County-developed plan for shorelines, including Issaquah Creek and Lake Sammamish.
The updated plan is designed to guide construction and development on almost 2,000 miles of marine, stream and lake shorelines countywide. The proposal combines local plans for future development and preservation, plus recent development ordinances and related permitting requirements.
The county Shoreline Master Program includes stretches of Issaquah Creek — from the headwaters on Tiger Mountain to the Issaquah city limits — and the mouth of the creek in Lake Sammamish State Park.
Department of Ecology authority is upheld for shoreline rules
August 30, 2011
In a recent ruling, the state Supreme Court unanimously affirmed the state’s authority to sign off on shoreline management plans and regulations.
The decision came just before the state Department of Ecology approved the Sammamish shoreline regulations, or shoreline master program. Meanwhile, Issaquah is updating a 20-year-old shoreline master program.
The efforts establish shoreline rules in Issaquah and Sammamish aimed to determine appropriate creek and lakeside areas for construction, plus offer more clarity to landowners along creeks and Lake Sammamish.
Washington voters approved the Shoreline Management Act in 1972 to help minimize environmental damage to shoreline areas, reserve areas for water-oriented uses, and protect public lands and waters. The act grants local governments flexibility to tailor shoreline programs to respond to local conditions and needs.
Leaders laud King County Council for 2010 milestones
January 5, 2011
NEW — 4 p.m. Jan. 5, 2011
King County Council members said the board made strides on a series of goals last year.
The council had not set specific goals for years, but under Chairman Bob Ferguson and Vice Chairwoman Jane Hague, the council adopted 45 broad goals — and checked off 43 by year’s end.
The council adopted priorities in early 2010. The list included goals to foster trust in government, local and regional cooperation, and to improve economic development, sustainability and transportation.
The council then created a scorecard to allow residents to monitor progress.
The accomplishments included adopting a countywide strategic plan, creating a regional task force to tackle transit issues, approving a series of partnerships to update animal-control services and overhauling county shoreline rules.
Updated shoreline rules outline creek and lakeside construction
December 7, 2010
City aims to balance ecology and expansion
The latest city shoreline rules should help planners to determine appropriate creek and lakeside areas for construction, plus offer more clarity to landowners along Issaquah Creek and Lake Sammamish.
The city Planning Policy Commission has OK’d the updated Shoreline Master Program — the guide to construction along Lake Sammamish, and the main stem and East Fork of Issaquah Creek. The measure heads to the City Council for adoption.
“The objectives are to allow redevelopment and expansion,” city Environmental Planner Peter Rosen said. “But, then, there’s also some requirements to improve the existing conditions along the lake.”
The updated shoreline regulations apply to land located within 200 feet of the shorelines, plus associated wetlands.
