Reporter ISSAQUAH | SAMMAMISH
Friday, July 11, 2014
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Plateau neighbors learn the ‘bear’ facts of living near forest When residents of the Overdale Park area of Issaquah held a recent meeting/block party, they expected a good crowd. What they didn't expect was a visit by a black bear. "He actually went walking down the side of my house," said resident Julie DelMissier, who quickly got about 20 children into the safety of her house as 30-40 parents "came flying over to make sure their kids were safe." DelMissier has seen the same bear about four times in the past week, wandering through side yards and backyards and foraging in garbage containers for food. Several days earlier, DelMissier was having a picnic on her front lawn with neighbor, Ingrid Abdelnour, when Abdelnour's two-year-old son pointed in the air and said "dragonfly, dragonfly." DelMissier's sevenyear-old daughter then chimed in, but with "bear, bear!" "I thought she was joking," DelMissier said, "but I looked over and saw a very shiny black furry bear walking down my driveway. I said as calmly as I could, 'everyone walk to my front door and get inside.'" DelMissier, a photographer, then quickly grabbed a camera and took off on foot after the bear. She was about 30 feet away when the took the photo of the bear by the garbage can.
Issaquah sets rules on marijuana BY LINDA BALL ISSAQUAH/SAMMAMISH REPORTER
A black bear takes a look in a garbage container in the Overdale Park area of Issaquah. COURTESY PHOTO, Julie DelMissier Photography. "Then I got a little scared when he stood up and looked at me, so I slowly walked back inside." Seeing wildlife is a normal occurrence in the area, DelMissier said, noting that her home has floor-to-ceiling windows. About two weeks ago, her son, Tripp, said, "Uh Mom…..there is a bear at the front door." The bear – different and larger than the one at the homeowners' meeting – eventually left, heading down Black Nugget Road.
Costco planning big expansion in Issaquah BY LINDA BALL ISSAQUAH/SAMMAMISH REPORTER
It’s pretty clear that Costco is here to stay in Issaquah. Costco has been working with city staff to add 1.5 million square feet – most likely office space – to its complex. According to Keith Niven, the city’s economic development director, 1.25 million square feet will be office and the additional .25 million square feet could be additional retail, perhaps even a car wash. The current warehouse/store is approximately 150,000 square feet. The Pickering Place area is zoned urban core, which would allow residential use, most likely apartment or condominiums. However, it’s too soon to know if Costco will choose to build any residential properties. The development agreement, which the city hopes to have zipped up by September, will be for 30 years. Under the Central Issaquah Plan, Costco could decide to build over four stories by paying $1.25 million into the city’s density bonus pot. Code will allow a building as high as 125-feet; 85-feet would be about twice the height of Costco’s current office height. Niven said Costco is also willing to pay $23.75 million for road improvements to get its 1.5 million square feet. Costco will leave seven to eight acres of open space on the east side of Issaquah Creek.
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With legal marijuana retailers opening in Washington this week, it won’t be long until Issaquah has a shop of its own. The passage of I-502 in November 2012 prohibits public consumption of marijuana, as well as driving when under the influence of cannabis. The initiative also set the limit at five nanograms of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC - the active ingredient in marijuana) per liter of whole blood for DUI, and Issaquah will follow suit. In addition, the Issaquah City Council has adopted the city code to include an open container law. Just like with alcohol, if you’re in your vehicle, with a container that has been opened, i.e. the seal is broken and contents partially removed, you’re breaking the law. The penalty for an open container of marijuana, or drug paraphernalia in the vehicle, unless it’s in the trunk, will be up to $250. As far as consuming marijuana in public view, the council set the penalty at up to $103. But it’s unclear what is public view – for example, if you’re on your front porch. “(There is) ambiguity on open sight, because you could be on your own property, and still be in the line of sight,” said council President Paul Winterstein. No word yet on when Issaquah’s first retail store will open. Linda Ball:
Costco is the city’s top customer when it comes to business and operations (B&O) tax. COURTESY PHOTO, Issaquah Chamber of Commerce.
As part of the North Issaquah transportation improvements, Costco will commit to 48 percent of $50 million. Sheldon Lynne, the city’s public works engineering director said with grants received or in process, it could bring Issaquah’s cost of the improvements to zero. Overruns up to $50 million would be split 50/50 between Costco. The city’s development commission will look at the entire land plan, showing buildings, plazas and parking before anything is
approved. The environmental impact study already completed for the Central Issaquah Plan should speed up the a state environmental policy act review. Councilmember Stacy Goodman said she was impressed that Costco wants to make this sort of long-term commitment to Issaquah. Councilmember Nina Milligan was happy to see Costco “lay down roots here.” Linda Ball: 425-391-0363; lball@issaquahreporter.com
425-391-0363; lball@issaquahreporter.com