Supporting Small Business & Streamlining Permitting
Issaquah thrives because of the creativity, dedication, and resilience of our small business owners. As a small business owner myself, I know the challenges of keeping the doors open, supporting employees, and serving the community. That’s why I’ve made supporting local businesses a central part of my work and my vision for our city.
As a member of the Commercial Property Standing Committee, I am actively advancing the Central Issaquah Plan - a blueprint that supports new housing while encouraging mixed-use developments where shops, services, and restaurants can grow alongside residential communities. This balanced approach strengthens our economy and creates a vibrant city core where families, workers, and visitors can live, shop, and connect.
We already have promising initiatives, like the Gilman Village fixed lease program, which provides stability for small businesses and protects local character. But across Issaquah, one issue rises to the top: our permitting process is too complicated, too slow, and too unpredictable.
During my door knocking campaign, I’ve heard it again and again - from neighbors, business owners, and developers alike. Families wait months for simple home improvements. Entrepreneurs face endless delays when trying to expand. Developers navigate a maze of rules, including tree code requirements, that slow projects down and drive up costs. Issaquah has earned a reputation as one of the hardest cities in our region to work with when it comes to permits - and that must change.
At the Planning Policy Commission, I’ve worked on advancing our codes, and I know firsthand how important it is to balance environmental stewardship with growth and housing needs. But a balanced approach doesn’t mean bureaucracy for its own sake. We can protect trees, support sustainability, and still deliver a permitting process that is fair, clear, and efficient.
I am proud to be endorsed by the Eastside Business Alliance and the King County Realtors, organizations that understand the importance of balancing strong economic growth with fair, efficient permitting and sustainable development. These endorsements show that our region’s business and housing leaders trust me to deliver practical solutions for both families and employers.
I will work to:
Streamline permitting citywide to cut delays and costs.
Provide clear, predictable timelines for families, businesses, and developers.
Modernize the system by moving toward one-stop digital permitting and better customer service.
Ensure balance between protecting our environment and enabling responsible growth.
By fixing permitting, we can unlock opportunities for small businesses, families, and developers to succeed - while keeping Issaquah a thriving, innovative, and environmentally responsible city.