implementation strategies
appendix b
INTRODUCTION
Discussion
One purpose of the 2015 Comprehensive Plan update is to remove implementation information
from the elements as it should already be in City codes, regulations and standards. During the
review of the elements by Council and Committees, it was determined that more implementation
information should be removed. That information was removed from all of the elements, and
captured in this appendix.
How to use this appendix
The following list of deliverables and implementation strategies is divided by element and those
strategies that affect the entire plan are captured under “General.” In addition, those documents
that are to be created are identified by “(new)” and those existing documents that need to be
updated to remain consistent are identified by “(update).” As the City develops the budget each year,
staff and Council can use the Implementation Strategy to help prioritize funding for programs,
projects and updates. The City is not required to fund items within the Implementation Strategy at
any given time, the items are here as a collection of options that move the City forward to achieve
our Community goals.
GENERAL
1. Create a Public Participation Element (new)
2. Update the development regulations, associated plans and programs in order to be current with
the Comprehensive Plan (update)
3. The following City plans and programs are referenced in the Comprehensive Plan and address
the goals and policies in the Comprehensive Plan in more detail and should also be updated
consistent with the Comprehensive Plan:
a. Central Issaquah Plan (update)
b. Olde Town Subarea Plan (update – tentatively in 2016)
c. Parks, Recreation, Trails and Open Space Plan (update - 2015)
d. Capital Facilities Plan (update - annually)
e. Emergency Management Plan (update)
f. Tibbetts Creek Greenway Restoration Plan (update)
g. Shoreline Master Program (update)
h. Stream and Riparian Areas Restoration Plan (update)
i. Issaquah Creek Basin and Non-Point Action Plan (update)
j. Wellhead Protection Plan (update)
k. Transportation Improvement Program or TIP (update)
l. Sewer System Plan (update)
m. Stormwater Management Plan (update)
n. Water System Plan (update)
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o.
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Walk + Roll Issaquah (update)
Open Space Stewardship and Management Plans (update)
Integrated Pest Management Plan (update)
Mobility Action Plan (update)
Economic Vitality Task Force Plan (update)
Economic Development Strategic Plan (update)
LAND USE ELEMENT
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Create an Urban Forestry and Open Space Management Plan (new)
Create a watershed plan (new)
Develop a Climate Action Plan (new)
Update the tree canopy study (update)
Create a map of the existing (and future) wildlife corridors and how they connect to adjacent
public lands (new)
6. Consider a Sustainability Element in the next Periodic Update of the Comprehensive Plan (new)
7. The following implementation strategies require further analysis in order to learn how they
should be implemented and which regulation, code or plan they should be moved into:
a. (From LU Policy A11) c. requiring landscape plans to include drought tolerant native plants
to reinforce Issaquah’s unique natural setting and reduce water consumption; and
b. Implement, monitor and adapt the performance guidelines of the Urban Forestry
Management Plan to ensure a sustainable Tree Canopy and the continued health of the
vegetation, soils and habitat associated with the trees.
c. Plant and preserve street trees in planter strips or tree wells located between the curb and
any sidewalk, where feasible. Select tree species and planting techniques to create a unified
image for the street, provide an effective canopy, avoid sidewalk and utility damage, and
minimize water consumption.
d. Develop and adopt an Urban Forestry and Open Space Management Plan.
e. Require environmental improvement, including increasing a non-conforming buffer width
and/or buffer enhancement, for the incremental expansion of existing development that
does not comply with adopted critical area standards and buffers.
f. Ensure reduction of climate impacts by implementing actions, policies and regulations that
require reduction and mitigation of greenhouse gas and carbon dioxide equivalent emissions
in all land uses and by providing incentives for innovative climate solutions which advance
the City towards a carbon neutral community.
g. Complete carbon footprint studies for the community and develop and track progress
towards emissions reduction targets.
h. Develop a Climate Action Plan in collaboration with local and regional partners that
provides direction for Issaquah’s reduction of City-wide greenhouse gas emissions while
supporting sustainable community development principles.
i. Monitor the performance of the sustainability indicators to show progress towards meeting
their stated goals.
j. Encourage small scale commercial, retail and office developments in residential areas that are
intended to serve individual neighborhoods.
k. Continue to designate, protect and promote Historic Landmarks.
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HOUSING ELEMENT
1. Create a Housing Implementation Strategy (new) with the following implementation strategies:
a. Encourage first floor, accessible housing or include provisions for elevators to provide
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
accessibility to those with disabilities.
Encourage adaptive reuse of suitable buildings and repair and rehabilitation of existing
affordable units.
Ensure that regulations and permit processing requirements for affordable housing meet or
exceed the state requirements.
Prohibit new housing within the floodway.
Protect property and inhabitants of housing that exists within the 100-year floodplain of
major waterways. (new)
Implement or support programs to move existing homes out of unsafe areas (such as
eroding landslide or coal mine hazard areas).
TRANSPORTATION ELEMENT
Develop a Transportation Mobility Master Plan (new)
Establish a Comprehensive Wayfinding Plan (new)
Establish a ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan (new)
Provide/require recharge stations in development and redevelopment projects and road
improvements, where feasible.
5. Develop Transportation Demand Management regulations and strategies that address the
following factors.
a. Parking
b. Services to increase high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) use
c. Fully utilize HOV lanes.
d. Increased participation in Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) programs
e. Increased public awareness of available travel alternatives
1.
2.
3.
4.
UTILITIES AND PUBLIC SERVICES ELEMENT
1. Develop a Stormwater Capital Facilities Plan (new)
2. Consider an Emergency Management Element in the next Periodic Update of the
Comprehensive Plan (new)
CULTURAL ELEMENT
1. Create a Cultural Element Implementation Strategy (new)
2. The following implementation strategies require further analysis in order to learn how they
should be implemented, since there is no existing plan or regulation they can be moved into:
a. Implement a historic preservation plan that fosters landmarking and protection of eligible
sites; preservation of City-owned structures; and mitigation measures for removal of historic
structures.
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b. Inventory historic resources to guide City decision-making in resource planning,
environmental review and resource management.
c. Integrate art into architecture by:
o Incorporating public art in City capital improvement projects.
o Studying possible new incentives for developers to increase the integration of art into
private buildings.
d. Inventory, evaluate, and optimize the use of existing cultural facilities.
e. Strengthen incentives for developers and builders to incorporate studio, workshop and
exhibition spaces into mixed-use design.
HUMAN SERVICES ELEMENT
1. Create a Human Services Implementation Strategy (new)
2. The following implementation strategies require further analysis in order to learn how they
should be implemented, since there is no existing plan or regulation they can be moved into:
a. Support existing programs and encourage new programs that fill food, clothing and
assistance gaps within basic needs.
b. Continue to partner with regional housing organizations to preserve affordability for housing
units with expiring Section 8 contracts. Expand affordable housing within the community to
meet or exceed affordable housing goals (see “Housing Element”).
c. Support programs that make primary health/mental health/dental care more accessible and
affordable to lower income residents and people with disabilities.
d. Support parenting classes, especially for teen and single parents, and programs that provide
relief for caregivers of children and vulnerable adults.
e. Support providers of emergency and/or transitional shelters for the homeless. (See “Shelter”
policy G1.)
f. Support programs that make mental health care more accessible to those in need and
support outreach and community education in understanding this aspect of basic human
needs.
g. Increase access through opportunities for urban agriculture activities, such as farmer’s
markets, farmstands, community supported agriculture (CSA) drop-off sites, community
gardens, p-patches, school gardens, home gardens, and urban farms.
h. Work with the Human Services Commission to promote awareness.
i. Support a strong and coordinated local response from the faith, business, school and service
communities.
j. Engage in the planning and development of a public transportation system that makes
human services readily accessible for individuals needing basic and/or sustaining services
k. Plan for and provide multi-modal transportation options, such as bicycle and pedestrian
trails and pathways, that link to public transit throughout Issaquah.
l. Improve opportunities for enjoyment of open space by providing a network of trails,
neighborhood parks, and public recreational facilities.
m. Support programs that provide affordable and accessible opportunities to participate in
recreational and cultural activities.
n. Facilitate communications and telecommunications technology to assist individuals with
limited mobility of access and disabilities affecting hearing, vision and/or speech, including
but not limited to the provision of auxiliary aids and services (ADA).
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o. Facilitate communication access and language training to our non-native English speaking
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population.
Ensure that all new development and redevelopment meet accessibility standards (ADA).
Improve the safety and accessibility of infrastructure.
Encourage transportation mobility options.
Consider a per capita funding goal for annual Human Service funding and incorporate
funding methodology as a part of City financial policies.
Use available Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds in support of
affordable housing and other needed community projects.
Participate with regional partners for additional staff and funding support dedicated to
human services.
Explore opportunities for and encourage the co-location of needed services within new or
upgraded capital facilities (i.e. child care within a school or community center, public
meeting space within a library).
Provide access to and education about healthy food resources for all residents.
CAPITAL FACILITIES ELEMENT
1. Update Fire and Police Level of Service (LOS) by conducting a new rate study. (update)
2. Update and reformat the Element in accordance with the State’s recommendation to:
a. The Element’s sections include a summary of projects needed in the years beyond 2019 and
their estimated costs and should also include likely funding sources for these future projects
as well. In addition, we suggest that all projects needed in order to meet adopted level of
service (LOS) standards with the anticipated residential and job growth throughout the
planning horizon be included.
b. Include a summary of the projects identified in the Capital Facilities Plan and functional
plans, with a statement that when implemented, the adopted LOS standards will be met for
existing and planned growth through 2035.
3. Annually review Capital Facilities Plan’s consistency with the Comprehensive Plan (update)
4. The following implementation strategies require further analysis in order to learn how they
should be implemented, since there is no existing plan or regulation they can be moved into:
a. Annually review, update, and amend a six-year Capital Facilities Plan. The Capital Facilities
Plan should be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
b. Part of CF Policy A1 Annually review, update, and amend a six-year Capital Facilities Plan.
c. Correct existing deficiencies in the following manner:
o Inventory the facilities and services within the City's local service area annually to
determine deficiencies.
o Identify potential solutions for the deficiencies, based on need, cost, efficiency of
provision, and location of deficiency.
o Establish a prioritized strategy for correcting deficiencies based on consistency with
Land Use element goals, plans to replace or upgrade existing facilities and financial
feasibility
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