About

BHC led a multi-year effort to substantially update Issaquah’s development code (Title 18). We created a streamlined, user-friendly code aligned with the City’s long range planning vision. The project involved comprehensive updates to critical areas regulations, design standards, and zoning provisions, while also incorporating climate resiliency measures such as electric vehicle infrastructure, micro-scale energy generation, and green building requirements. The final ordinance balanced the City’s competing goals– growth and affordability versus open space protection – resulting in a modernized code reflective of community priorities and supportive of climate action.

In this project we also implemented aspects of the City’sClimate Action Plan into code, including updated rules for green building,micro-scale energy generation, and electric vehicle infrastructure. Indeveloping policy approaches, BHC helped the City to work throughoften-conflicting goals (development vs. open space preservation; greenbuilding vs. housing affordability). This was done by providing examples ofother communities who faced similar challenges.

Features

• Implementation of ClimateResiliency Actions from Climate Action Plan 
• Critical Areas Ordinance Update
• Design Standards and Development Regulations Updates
• Community Engagement Workshops and Open Houses