Olde Town Land Use Code Changes

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 called for new Architectural Standards, or in other words, what a new/remodeled property will look like.

Engagement with the community 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. 

Those Architectural Standards, adopted in Feb. 2021 include elements such as: 

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

Timeline

• Jan. 11, 2020: Walking Tour
  • Presentation
  • Comments and Feedback received
• Feb 12, 2020: Joint Planning Policy and Development Commission Meeting
• Feb. 25, 2020: City Council Study Session (no action taken)  
• Oct. 7, 2020: Second Joint Planning Policy and Development Commission Meeting
• Dec. 10, 2020: Planning Policy Commission Meeting 
• Jan. 12, 2021: City Council Study Session (no action taken)
• Feb. 1, 2021: City Council Meeting (possible action taken)
• Feb. 9, 2021: Adoption of Architectural Standards

Stay Connected

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