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April 2010 Meeting Highlights
By Peter Rimbos, Corresponding Secretary
On Monday, April 5, the Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council held its regular monthly meeting. Four major topics were discussed: (1) Sheriffs' Precinct Changes; (2) Fire Sprinkler Requirements by King County DDES; (3) Rural Economic Strategies by King County Office of Strategic Planning’s Julia Larson; and (4) Master Planned Developments (MPDs) in Black Diamond by Area Council’s Peter Rimbos (for this item please see separate article elsewhere in this edition).
Your Area Council serves as an all-volunteer, locally elected advisory body to the King County Council representing all rural unincorporated area residents living in the Tahoma School District.
Sheriffs' Precinct Changes Major Dave Germani described several changes in store for Sheriff’s Precinct #3 in Maple Valley. Due to budget cuts and recent annexations, King County is consolidating two unincorporated precincts, #2 (north) and #3 (south) into one precinct that will comprise ~1,600 square miles in area. With this consolidation Major Germani, will be retiring as of May 1 after 30 years of service with the Sheriff’s Department. Major Germani introduced the new combined Precinct Commander, Jerrell Wills, currently commander of the north Precinct #2.
Major Wills described his background and his 22 years of service with the Sheriff’s Department. In his career he has worked in north and southwest King County. He has lived in Duvall for 13 years. Starting May 1 Major Wills plans to split his time equally between the south Precinct #3 and the north Precinct #2.
Rural Economic Strategies Julia Larson of King County’s Office of Strategic Planning’s provided an update on rural economic policies. Their mission is to sustain and enhance the long-term economic viability of the rural area and resource lands. They have three specific goals: (1) Support the diversity and richness of the rural economy by effectively engaging farmers, foresters, rural business owners, rural communities, and rural-related organizations in an on-going dialogue; (2) Implement the intent and policies of the King County Comprehensive Plan in support of a sustainable and vibrant rural economy; and (3) Promote opportunities for residents to both live and work in the Rural Area.
King County is currently soliciting recommendations on possible code changes to support flexibility for businesses in the Rural Area, including agricultural uses. After reviewing recommendations, they will be providing a set of proposed code changes for citizen review this Fall. The Area Council will be part of that process.
You can email Ms. Larson or call her at (206) 296-1062.
Fire Sprinkler Requirements Chris Ricketts, King County DDES Supervisor of the Building Plan Review Section discussed potential Residential Fire Code changes regarding sprinkler systems. Chris stated DDES has submitted their adopting ordinance for new building codes to the King County Council for approval. This ordinance does not include any new sprinkler requirements for residences. There had been concern voiced at previous Area Council meetings that new residences would have to install sprinkler systems as part of construction.
Mr. Ricketts gave some background on sprinkler provisions. The National Board has voted to adopt International Fire Code Section R313--Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems--that would require new residences to install such systems. The State of Washington also has adopted the new code, but has left it up to each jurisdiction (e.g., County, city) to decide on whether to adopt the new code locally. Mr. Ricketts reiterated that King County DDES has not recommended adoption. The King County Council will make a final decision by July 1. These codes are reviewed every three years.
Mr. Ricketts can be contacted by email or at (206) 296-6750. More information on King County code related to sprinkler systems can be found here. Go to Sprinkler Systems and click on the pdf file.
Next Meeting: Date/Time -- Monday, May 3, at 7:00 - 9:00 PM. Location -- Sheriff’s Precinct #3 Headquarters, 231st St & SR-169 (across from Fire Station)
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