With Realtors and developers already inquiring into several parcels of land in the area of the Central Issaquah Plan, city staff and council members are working furiously to complete design standards for the 1,100 acre commercial core, excluding Front Street, that surrounds Interstate 90.

“Folks have come in and they know we’re working on these new standards and are expressing interest,” said Mark Hinthorne, special projects director for the city.

The CIP was approved in late Dec. 2012. City council members and staff met Wednesday evening to address questions and concerns. One of the goals for the CIP is 7,500 residential units. Hinthorne said in the near-term, housing will most likely be rentals until the area becomes more established and people are willing to invest.

Trish Heinonen, the city’s planning manager said the city will work closely with the Chamber of Commerce to encourage small businesses and start-ups. Big box stores are not in the vision whatsoever, as housing does not like to be near them, Heinonen said. City administrator, Bob Harrison said there is great demand for both retail space and housing.

Developers would be allowed more density through a density bonus program, which allows additional units in exchange for affordable housing or open space, or both. Hinthorne said there is enough of a financial benefit to a developer to shift profit from their side of the ledger to provide for public benefit.Tree retention, green space and landscaping is a big part of the CIP, with the goal of consistency with other areas of the city.

Council member Josh Schaer said he does not want to see a “concrete dystopia surrounded by forest.” The plan is to adapt to sustainability guidelines as they change, and maintain the city’s character. This includes what is referred to as the “green necklace” of open space surrounding the CIP. Mobility is also an issue for further study. Traffic in Issaquah has become a negative factor for many businesses, so it was suggested that a plan to speed up traffic on arterials yet slow it down in pedestrian areas be studied.

Signs continue to be a problem, with concerns about large neon signs on buildings. Lucy Sloman, the city’s land development manager, said hospitals, hotels and motels are allowed to have a prominent sign because they are for the public benefit. But in the case of a new building with perhaps two major tenants only one tenant name could be prominently displayed. Schaer was not in favor of corporate neon signs on top of, for example, a ten-story building. How the city will handle signs on buildings facing I-90 is a discussion to be continued. While it might be advantageous to let travelers on I-90 know, for example, that Issaquah has a particular business or attraction that they should exit the highway for, on the other hand billboards do not fit in with the city’s character it was agreed.

Citizen Melvin Morgan spoke in favor of even reducing the size of “for sale” or “for lease” signs, so they’re not as obtrusive.

Any project will be open for public comment or review, but for a project over 150,000 square-feet or more, discussion will be bumped up to review by the development commission. The allowable amount of impervious surface is yet to be determined. Speaking on limiting impervious surface, council member Tola Marts said “maybe it’s from growing up on Joni Mitchell,” referring to her song “Big Yellow Taxi.”

The full city council is expected to adopt design standards for the CIP on April 15.