Shelter Development

Shelter Map

Overview

IHIF Commercial, LLC (also known as Shelter Holdings) – which owns about 21.5 acres of land in the Issaquah Highlands along Ninth Avenue Northeast – recently applied for a development agreement with the City of Issaquah.

Proposed Project

According to the application, the proposed agreement for the “High Street Collection” project includes:

  • Up to 325,000 square feet of commercial/retail uses and up to 1,250 residential units, located predominantly in mixed use buildings.
  • At least 200 age-restricted or assisted living units.
  • 20 percent of remaining residential units (excluding the age-restricted or assisted living units) designated as affordable housing.
  • Transit-oriented development with proximity to the Issaquah Highlands transit center.
  • Pedestrian-friendly connections to other Issaquah Highlands locations.
  • 35,000 square feet used for community recreation, which could include amenities such as interactive water features, sports courts, climbing walls, adaptive playground equipment or outdoor fitness equipment.
  • A trail connecting High Street Linear Park to Discovery Drive.

Learn More

There will be several opportunities for the community to learn more, and provide comments, during the City’s review process:

  • Notice and Public Comment: A Notice of Application public comment period for the proposed development agreement ran from Oct. 6-20, 2023.
  • SEPA Public Comment: A notice of SEPA Determination comment period will run from October 29 until 5 p.m. on November 13, 2023. Any person may comment on the application. Written comments are due by 5 p.m. on Nov. 13, 2023 to: Community Planning and Development, P.O. Box 1307, Issaquah, WA 98027, or by email to Planning Manager Christian Geitz.
  • City Council Public Hearing: Scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Nov. 13 at City Hall South, 135 E. Sunset Way. The City Council is the decision maker for the Development Agreement application.
  • To receive public notices on this project, or to receive a copy of the project decision once made, please provide your name, address, and email to Planning Manager Christian Geitz and request to become a Party of Record.

Application documents, including SEPA and EIS, can be reviewed here.

Project documents may also be accessed on the Active Projects List.

History

This new development agreement replaces a prior development proposal for the site that included a self-storage facility, a single-story retail center with surface parking, and medical office building.

For more than five years, there has been ongoing litigation between IHIF Commercial, LLC and the City of Issaquah concerning vesting rights to the old Issaquah Highlands regulations. Last year, the Court of Appeals ruled in favor of IHIF Commercial, LLC, which claims substantial damages against the City. If approved, this development agreement would resolve that outstanding litigation.

Next Steps

If the development agreement is approved, several other applications would then be required for City review, including certification of consistency, site work permit, building permits and other construction permits.