While taking a hike, as I often do, in the beautiful hills that surround our city, I came to a breathtaking view of the valley from the upper edge of the Talus Development—right over the tops of houses being constructed to capture that same view!
I was struck again at how we continue to encroach further and further into our natural areas to accommodate the growth that we are expected to take.
While Talus is a planned urban village, designed at the time to densify buildings while saving more wild space than a sprawling suburb would, I can’t help but wonder about the extraordinary efforts and damaging effects to the land, vegetation and wildlife that occur to satisfy the craving for exclusive view homes. And as I walked up Shangri-la and Bear Ridge Trails, enjoying the creeks, nurse trees
and fantastic erratic
I experience the full impact of why I care so much about Issaquah Title 18 Land Use Codes. Because they guide how we will treat our precious bit of earth and whether or not our earth will help save us from global warming.
Thanks to Mayor, Mary Lou Pauly and the City Council who have heard the Community, we now have an opportunity to make right our relationship with the natural environment. The City of Issaquah is doing a major overhaul of its Title 18 regulations this and next year with plenty of opportunities for public input!
How did we get in this situation? Title 18 regulations are supposed to reflect community values, many of which are outlined in the Issaquah’s Comprehensive Plan and soon to be completed Climate Action Plan. But things are changing so fast in our society and on our earth, it’s a challenge for these plans and codes to keep pace. When this happens development can outstrip not only our built infrastructures but also the protection of the natural systems that ultimately sustain us. So, this update is a daunting task! And it will take more than some “business as usual” tweaks to make the needed shifts in how we manage our growth and preserve our natural world.
A number of long-time environmental advocates in our community have shared at public meetings that while Issaquah prides itself in being a green community and Tree City USA, other cities are actually now leading the way in real action. Issaquah’s latest tree canopy study zoning map shows that we are somewhat “resting on our laurels” by having some large outer areas of protected open space and trees. These make our lower urban open space and tree canopy look unusually high when averaged together.
In reality, Issaquah has not done that well with maintaining and enhancing our ecosystems and wildlife with the last two decades of development. Issaquah has already nearly met the development goals set by regional growth requirements for 2030! And the City’s own reports show that Issaquah has not been able to reduce its carbon emissions since it started measuring them over ten years ago. On top of that we are experiencing increased climate-caused pollution, weather, and fire hazards. These affect all of us and especially our most vulnerable. They will challenge us as never before.
And we can rise to the challenge! Community members have already given input at a series of city meetings of the Environmental Board and the Planning Policy Commission. Many are advocating for the city to take stronger environment and climate actions and more rapidly. Letters from PCA members Steve Bolliger and Ann Fletcher can be found HERE and HERE.
You do not need to be an expert to speak up. Share in your own way your vision for a better balance of built and natural environment, for sustainable protection of healthy natural systems that support everyone’s well-being.
The City of Issaquah is requesting community input. Please join in!
Meeting agendas and materials can be found the Friday before the week of the meeting HERE.
Ann Fletcher
Resident of Issaquah and
People for Climate Action Issaquah Chapter
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