There are many reasons to move to Sammamish: excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, thriving parks, and the sense of peace that comes from being close to nature. I want to protect that.
As we face the next chapter of growth, we should shape it and not be shaped by it. I believe we can welcome new neighbors, support diverse housing options, and strengthen our city without sacrificing what makes Sammamish special. Balanced growth means staying true to our values, planning smarter, and putting the community first.
Balanced Growth that Serves the Community
Let’s focus on what makes housing livable: proximity to transit options, walkability, and sustainable design. These are things we can control through better planning. We need growth that responds to Sammamish’s needs, not growth driven by the profits of special interests. When done right, new development can help strengthen the city we love.
- Support housing that meets Sammamish’s needs. We need more housing options like cottage homes that help seniors, families, and workers stay in our community.
- Plan infrastructure and development together. Roads and emergency services should be updated as we grow, not years after the fact.
- Make growth work for the community. Projects should reflect Sammamish’s character and contribute to a sustainable environment.
Growth Should Reflect the Community, Not Reshape It
Growth doesn’t mean we lose what makes Sammamish feel like home, when it’s managed properly. Our policies should respect the character of our neighborhoods and the people who live in them.
- Protect our tree canopy while making regulations work for homeowners. Tree codes should prevent unnecessary loss during development but be fair and manageable for residents, especially after major storms like the Bomb Cyclone.
- Ensure new housing fits the neighborhood. Infill development should reflect the scale of surrounding homes to protect the look and feel of our neighborhoods.
- Focus regulations on results, not red tape. Our rules should guide good outcomes without creating costly delays or confusion.
A Town Center That Matches the Promise
The Town Center was supposed to be a gathering place that reflects Sammamish’s character. We can still achieve that vision if we hold developers accountable and put the public interest first.
- Continue on a realistic path. The Town Center should be built in line with the infrastructure we can afford to build. 2,000 units was the community’s original vision, and it’s still the most realistic path for safe, sustainable growth.
- Hold the developer to the community vision. Let’s create a Town Center that’s walkable, community-focused, and environmentally sustainable, something that reflects the Sammamish we all love.
- End taxpayer-funded developer bailouts. Public money ($5M for a land buyback and $2.5M to cover the cost of a developer’s road) shouldn’t be used to rescue private deals or increase developer profits.
Our city can promote equity and environmental goals by ensuring every new development contributes meaningfully through infrastructure, design, and community benefit.
Balanced growth isn’t about resisting change. It’s about doing things the right way: planning ahead, protecting our environment, and making sure the benefits of growth are shared by the people who live here. Sammamish deserves development that works for our community, not just for developers.