Rowley Properties representatives, Kristi Tripple and Lisa Picard, presented their company’s development vision for 90 acres on the west side of Issaquah at Wednesday’s weekly Issaquah Kiwanis luncheon. Though Rowley and the City of Issaquah have been in negotiations regarding a long-term future development agreement for the area over the past few months, Wednesday’s Kiwanis meeting was the first time Rowley representatives had publicly presented the outline of their plans for two sites along NW Gilman Blvd. and the intersection of State Route 900, known as Hyla Crossing and Rowley Center.

And at this stage, it is very much still just that, an outline.

Tripple told those assembled that the Rowley plan had not progressed past the concept stage, and would develop further with the help of a citizen’s advisory group and input from the city.

She did say, however, that the developer, with a long history in Issaquah, would stick very closely to the concepts espoused in the “Let Your Nature Begin” trademark.

“If it’s not supportive of the environment, or doesn’t enhance the city’s relationship with nature, we throw the idea out,” she said. “We want a sustainable, livable, walkable city.”

Picard, also involved with the development of the broader Central Issaquah Plan, updated Kiwanis members and guests on the discussions and advancements the task force has made. She drew a few gasps when she presented the fact that 75 percent of the valley floor is parking lot.

“It’s auto-dominated. Think of the ramifications to stormwater and walkability,” Picard said.

She went on to describe I-90 as “a knife that cuts through the community,” explaining that one of the main goals of the partnership between public and private entities was to find a way to connect the unique districts throughout Issaquah.

During the question and answer section of the presentation, Kiwanis members inquired about pedestrian walkways, and the provision of parking in the downtown area.

“We don’t want to become like Kirkland,” said one Kiwanis member. “No one goes downtown because you can’t park.”

Another Kiwanian inquired as the future of local landmarks in the proposed development area, specifically the Gaslamp Tavern.

“The Gaslamp will always have a home,” Tripple said, adding that, as a valued tenant, they would be included in any future discussions.