Town Center FAQ

The Town Center Plan is a comprehensive vision, adopted in 2008 (with implementing regulations in 2010-2011), to transform Sammamish Town Center into an urban hub. It aims to create a vibrant and family-friendly gathering place that strikes a harmonious balance between urban and natural elements.

The Town Center is roughly bounded on the north by East Main Street, on the south by SE 8th Street, on the east by 233rd Avenue, and on the west by 222nd Street. It also includes the 30-acre Sammamish Commons, which houses City Hall, Sammamish Community and Aquatic Center, Library, and a park.

The Town Center Plan was developed through extensive public outreach and participation, including over 30 public meetings, open houses, surveys, design charrettes, and other opportunities for public input. The collaborative approach ensured the plan reflected the community's vision and aspirations.

The Town Center Plan aims to create a vibrant urban oasis by integrating commercial, recreational, cultural, educational, and personal services. It emphasizes the preservation of scenic views, the enhancement of the city's distinctive character, and sustainability. The plan also focuses on fostering education, supporting workers and businesses, and promoting a lively arts community.

Since 2016, the Town Center has undergone transformation with the completion of five notable developments:

• Sammamish Townhomes,
• The Village (retail and Met Market),
• SAMM Apartments,
• Sammamish Community and Aquatic Center, and
• improvements to SE 4th Street.

These developments offer diverse housing options, retail opportunities, pedestrian and bicycle pathways, and recreation and public gathering spaces.

There are several upcoming projects planned for the Town Center, including:

• Brownstones West: A development by STCA, LLC, featuring 38 lots with a mix of single-family and townhome units, some of which will be offered at below-market rates.
• Aegis Living: Construction of a four-story assisted living and memory care facility catering to the needs of seniors.
• Lake Washington School District: Construction of a new educational facility to address the community's growing educational needs.
• Sammamish Town Center SW Quadrant Mixed-Use Development: A mixed-use development featuring multifamily residential units and commercial space.

All the projects listed above are currently in various stages of permit review. For more information on each project and its status, please visit the Town Center webpage at https://www.sammamish.us/towncenter.

Yes, the Town Center Plan provides flexibility in the configuration, mix of uses, circulation patterns, parking facilities, and open space design of individual project areas. Property owners can work together to plan circulation routes, open spaces, amenities, development types, parking, stormwater management facilities, and trails. However, these plans must adhere to Town Center Plan goals and polices and required development regulations.

The City of Sammamish carefully coordinates and reviews the planning processes for Town Center developments to ensure they align with the Town Center Plan guidelines and other permitting requirements. This ensures that development harnesses market dynamics, optimizes space utilization, and aligns with the community's priorities.

The Town Center Project in Sammamish demonstrates the power of collaboration through community engagement, thoughtful planning, and sustainable development. The project's success relies on the involvement of property owners, the City, and the community, as seen in the extensive public outreach efforts and coordination with developers. This collaboration helps create a bustling urban hub that offers diverse services, fosters community interaction, and cherishes Sammamish's natural beauty.