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Community Planning Matters; the High Cost of Doing Nothing

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Read the Column from Chamber CEO (Below)

Email Here if you want to get involved to support this vision

Dear Members and Citizens,

As you know, over the past few years, the community came together to develop a plan for the future of much of Issaquah’s valley floor. The plan, called the Central Issaquah Plan or CIP, represents a vision of Issaquah into the next 20-30 years. The plan was developed by a diverse group of committed citizens, from across the political spectrum, who spent close to 1000 hours laying a foundation for our future. It is an impressive vision for the 900 acres of “Central Issaquah”. The Chamber's Board has endorsed the "Vision and Direction" of the Plan.  City leaders are now preparing for the plan’s final review and eventual adoption.

Our region’s population will grow by hundreds of thousands of people in the next few decades. Growth is coming. In fact, much of it is already here with our children and grandchildren. Communities across the region are preparing for this growth in ways that will preserve their natural amenities, attract jobs and support families.

Having a plan matters.

A plan provides certainty, vision and a place to capture the values of the community. The CIP accomplishes this goal- focusing on workforce housing, open space preservation, density where it belongs on the valley floor, economic vitality, mobility and overall the securing of a more livable, walking and economically competitive community. As a long term plan, the CIP provides a direction…a vision. Some details of the plan may change, be upgraded or improved. However, having a plan to guide growth is the responsible thing to do for our community.

And the cost of doing nothing is severe.

We are and will remain a small community relative to our neighbors. Thus, in a planning effort like this for our community, there is little room for missteps. It is critical that our existing and potential businesses and residents see that Issaquah has a plan for the future. In the competitive region we live in, failure to plan-to have a blueprint for success-is, as the saying goes, is 'planning to fail'.  We need a competitive business environment to help fund our parks, arts, public safety, schools and more.   Stepping backward in midst of a major planning initiative of this nature would not be responsible. Let’s continue forward with our due diligence and get the job done for our citizens.

If you care about Issaquah’s character, it’s treasures, the preservation of its unique natural and built amenities and the establishment of a competitive local economy over the decades to come, please join the Chamber in encouraging City leaders to continue their work towards adoption of the plan. Please contact me directly if you want to help. 

Sincerely,


Matthew Bott
Chief Executive Officer
Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce
mbott@issaquahchamber.com
425-392-7024
 

Added on 03/28/2012

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