Olde Town Land Use Code Changes

Olde Town, Sign

Overview

Issaquah’s Olde Town Subarea Plan, which was updated in 2018, focuses on preserving our historic downtown core, and taking proactive and deliberate steps to improve the quality of life for local residents, businesses and visitors.

Background

In 2015, a Task Force was formed to provide recommendations on retaining Olde Town’s vitality. For the next several years, the City launched an extensive engagement process (including open houses and an online survey) before the City Council adopted an updated Olde Town Subarea Plan.

To implement some of the "immediate actions" in the plan, the City Council adopted several Land Use Code amendments in 2020.

Architectural Standards

The plan also calls for new Architectural Standards, or in other words, what a new/remodeled property will look like. Our first focus are standards for Single Family-Duplex zoning (see map).

Walking Tour and Workshop Recap  

On Jan. 11, the City hosted a Walking Tour and Workshop on at the Issaquah Senior Center.

About 50 people attended the tour and presentation, and provided feedback on what they thought should and shouldn’t be regulated in relation to: architectural style and massing; roof form; materials and color; windows; driveways and garages; and front yards and fencing.

Here’s a compilation of the comments and feedback from the workshop.

Draft Standards

That engagement made it clear that the standards should have a light touch in order to allow for diverse architectural styles – while still maintaining residential Olde Town’s existing character. 

These draft architectural standards – which are preliminary – include: 

  • Mass and scale
  • Roof design
  • Building materials and colors
  • Windows, doors and front porches
  • Front yards
  • Driveways

Provide your input

If you were unable to attend the workshop and would like to provide feedback, contact Senior Planner Christen Leeson or plan to attend and participate at one of the upcoming meetings: 

Stay Connected

To stay connected on this project, subscribe to the “Neighborhoods: Olde Town” category in the City’s Notify Me tool.