Sweeping views, top public schools and proximity to job centers such as Redmond and Bellevue are a few of the reasons Sammamish boasts some of the hottest real estate on the market.

Since incorporating in 1999, city officials have scrambled to stem the tide of new housing projects by passing growth moratoriums. The last one expired in August and was replaced by a new "growth metering" ordinance — the first of its kind in the state — that would allow 840 new housing units in the next two years, with larger developments phased in over time.

"Sammamish is symptomatic of the push-pull dynamic of growth going on in King County," said City Attorney Bruce Disend.

But now, these restrictions have left the city in a crossfire of litigation.

A group of developers sued the city in August, saying growth metering infringes on builders' constitutional rights to develop. That case is scheduled to go to court in mid-October.

The group also took a challenge of the moratoriums to the Growth Management Hearings Board, and last month that quasi-governmental agency ruled that the city's moratorium was illegal. The city has appealed that ruling.

The thirst to build in Sammamish has left a nagging question hanging over city officials: What is the scope of their power to plan for new development?

"Quite frankly, [the city] is in the best position to determine what is best for the city," said Mayor Don Gerend. "And we feel we're doing a great job."

Developers say Sammamish is unfairly shutting them out and argue that such restrictions lead to long-term repercussions. The growth-metering ordinance is based on a lottery system; developers have until Oct. 14 to submit applications to win a shot at the 420 lots available this year. At the end of October, the city will hold a drawing.

"Growth metering is irresponsibly anti-growth," said Tim Attebery, lobbyist for the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, which filed the lawsuit. "You're artificially denying supply."

"Builders respond to consumers, and consumers want to live in Sammamish ... but Sammamish is not willing to accept growth," he said.

City officials contend the building moratoriums were critical while newly incorporated Sammamish got its bearings and devised a 20-year comprehensive plan, a blueprint for future growth. Planners in 2002 projected that Sammamish could add 3,842 housing units by 2022, but it's already getting close to that number, said Kamuron Gurol, the city's community-development director.

The city has issued permits for about 2,500 housing units for projects that were in the pipeline before Sammamish incorporated, Gurol said. That leaves about 1,300 units remaining before the city hits its 20-year growth target.

The state Growth Management Act, passed in 1990, requires cities to plan for growth while protecting rural areas and natural resources. Sammamish's comprehensive plan will be updated in the next four to five years, meaning the city could increase the growth targets depending on demand, Gurol said.

Last month, the Growth Management Hearings Board ruled the moratorium invalid and ordered the city to do away with it — two days before it was set to expire anyway and the growth-metering ordinance was to take effect.

This left a small window with no moratorium for developers to apply for building permits. Applications were submitted for more than 600 units, but most lacked a crucial water certificate, Gurol said. In the end, applications for 72 housing units were accepted.

"Sammamish remains a popular place to build," Gurol said. "What we hope with the growth [phasing] is that it gives us some stability for the next couple of years."

Sonia Krishnan: 206-515-5546 or skrishnan@seattletimes.com