Sammamish City Council on Feb. 4 approved a second amended and restated development agreement with STCA LLC and BSW LLC to realign Southeast Sixth Street, change the Brownstones West open-space frontage, and confirm a consolidated regional stormwater vault. The council also adopted an ordinance vacating a portion of right-of-way at Southeast Fourth Street and 220 Fifth Place to align with future town-center improvements.

The development agreement amendment, presented by David Pyle, director of Community Development, would move the center line of the new Southeast Sixth Street to the existing property line between the Brownstones West and Brownstones East parcels so the city builds the southern half of the street and the developers build the northern half. Pyle told the council the city’s half is funded in the Transportation Improvement Program and the adopted 2025–26 budget.

Why it matters: Council members and presenters said the change is intended to improve pedestrian access between the newly created open space (the converted 220 Third area) and the Lower Sammamish Commons Park, reduce impervious area, consolidate stormwater treatment into a regional vault and avoid a “two-street” crossing that staff described as an undesirable pedestrian condition. Supporters said acting now preserves that opportunity while construction is underway; some residents and one councilmember warned the city is making piecemeal decisions about the town center without a single, citywide transportation plan.

Key details: City staff and developer representatives said the amendment does not add residential units to the approved projects. The agreement aligns the developers’ northern street segment with the city’s TIP-funded southern half so the two pieces form a contiguous local street and park edge. Staff described the regional stormwater vault under construction as sized to serve Brownstones West, Brownstones East and future adjacent blocks; Public Works Director Audrey Storsey said the project must meet the same drainage review and downstream analysis required for private development.

Public comment reflected a mix of views. Several residents urged postponement and broader town-center transportation planning, saying residents deserve more notice and that the city should not repeatedly accept developer-driven road designs. Speakers raised concerns about downstream impacts on Ebright Creek and local wetlands. Other commenters, including an online speaker, said regional stormwater vaults and the realignment reduce impervious surface and improve pedestrian circulation and supported passage.

On the council, Deputy Mayor Amy Lam and Councilmember Sid Gupta said the amendment improves pedestrian connectivity, reduces pollution-generating impervious surface and consolidates maintenance obligations. Councilmember Kent Treen said he opposed proceeding before a fuller town-center transportation plan and argued the proposal primarily benefits the developer; Treen said the city was being asked to commit public funds for a short stretch of road he described as having limited public benefit. Councilmember Pamela Stewart asked staff whether the city could reduce its cost estimate; staff said the $6 million in the TIP is for three phases of a larger project and that the first phase scoped for this segment reflects roughly $2.5 million of city funds paired with the developer’s contribution.

Formal actions: Councilmember Kaylee Clark moved and the council passed the resolution approving the second amended and restated development agreement (Resolution R2025-1093), authorizing the city manager to sign. The motion carried; the council recorded a majority in favor and at least one opposed. Later the council adopted Ordinance O2025-579 vacating a portion of public right-of-way at the southwest corner of Southeast Fourth Street and 220 Fifth Place; the ordinance passed after public hearing.

What was not decided: The amendment does not finalize longer-term town-center connectivity beyond the immediate blocks discussed; staff and the developers said further connections (for example, crossing under or continuing through other blocks) remain contingent on future projects and council direction. Staff also said detailed design and downstream drainage analysis will occur in the CIP design phase and that any final stormwater work must meet state, county and city stormwater standards.

Context and next steps: City staff noted the amendment is one of several actions tied to the town-center implementation work currently underway, including the Town Center Plan and code amendments and pending supplemental environmental impact scoping. Staff said February 18 and Feb. 20 meetings will present additional scoping and planning steps. The city will proceed into design for its portion of the street if the council’s action is implemented and will perform the required drainage and downstream analyses in project design.

Votes at a glance: The council approved Resolution R2025-1093 (second amended and restated development agreement) and Ordinance O2025-579 (right-of-way vacation). The motions carried after recorded “aye” and “no” voice votes with a majority in favor; one councilmember voiced opposition on the development-agreement motion and the right-of-way ordinance also passed with at least one opposed vote. The council recorded an excused absence for Councilmember Rosheen O’Farrell earlier in the meeting.

Ending: Staff and the developer representatives said they will continue design coordination and that subsequent town‑center actions — including future phases of the TIP project and town‑center plan amendments — will return to council for additional decisions and public review.