One of three appeals upheld -Ruling: Only Sportsmen's Club land isn't historical
by Stacy Goodman

This article appeared in The Issaquah Press, July 23, 1997

Bestowing historic status to the land under the Issaquah Sportsmen’s Club was an error, according to a recommendation made by a county hearing examiner last week.

The land, as well as the 62-year-old club itself, in March was designated a landmark by the King County Landmarks and Heritage Commission. The City of Issaquah and a developer appealed the decision because of concerns the rustic-style building might stand in the way of at least one alternative being studied for the proposed Southeast Issaquah bypass.

Stafford L. Smith, deputy hearing examiner for the county, called the designation of the land an error because it "has not shown to possess an independent historical or archeological value."

As part of the landmarks-designation process, the commission automatically includes the land underneath a structure.

The recommendation will go to the County Council, where final action will be taken.

"I’m happy with what was the issue of the land," said Eric Erickson, Sportsmen’s Club historian. "I’m particularly interested in the building. We’ve put a lot of work into saving it."

The club, built as part of a Works Progress Administration project in 1935, in 1993 was moved about 600 feet to its current location.

"There’s no question that the building can be moved with the historical designation," Erickson said. "That was never a question per se. It’s already been moved."

Smith denied two other appeals. Sunrise Ridge Ltd, developer of the proposed 102-acre Parkpointe residential development adjacent to the club, challenged the designation of the building. Sunrise also had alleged the designation process should be subject to an environmental review.