May 2007 Meeting Summary

Rural Economic Strategies and County Charter Review

By Peter Rimbos, Corresponding Secretary

The Greater Maple Valley Area Council, at its regular monthly meeting on Monday, May 7, addressed the following items:

1) Rural Economic Strategies

2) Proposed Rural Area Commercial Development

3) King County Charter Review Commission

The Area Council serves as an all-volunteer, locally elected advisory body to the King County Council and represents all unincorporated area residents living in the Tahoma School District.

Rural Economic Strategies

Ms. Julia Larson of King County's Office of Business Relations & Economic Development (BRED) provided an update of King County's Rural Economic Strategies. Ms. Larson described the highlights of BRED’s Rural Economic Strategies 2006 Annual Report (Note: the report will soon be posted on the Rural Economic Strategies website).

Business assistance is now available for both rural unincorporated residents and business owners through the Rural Business Circuit Rider project. BRED has contracted with the Green River Community College (GRCC) Small Business Assistance Center for on-site business development assistance. To schedule an appointment with a business advisor call (206) 464-6133, ext. 4953 or visit the GRCC Business Center website.

Rural unincorporated residents and business owners can now obtain free non-fee-based assistance when navigating the King County permitting process (e.g., DDES permits, Health Dept. permits, etc.) through the new Rural Permit Coordinator, Joelyn Higgins. Ms. Higgins can be contacted at (206) 296-7159 or joelyn.higgins@metrokc.gov.

Ms. Larson mentioned she is leading the effort to revise the Rural Legacy and Natural Resource Lands section for the 2008 update of the King County Comprehensive Plan. This section deals with: Rural Legacy (e.g., lifestyle, forestry, farming, equestrian activities); Rural Densities & Development; Rural Public Facilities & Services; Rural Cities, Towns & Neighborhoods; and Resource Lands. A draft will be submitted for Public Review sometime in September.

Area Council members discussed several issues with Ms. Larson regarding the proposed expansion of Ravensdale Park and the new Home-Based Business ordinance passed last year: Many concerns were raised regarding the suitability of expanding rural Ravensdale Park to be used as a regional facility serving primarily urban residents and the very limited notice for such expansion given to unincorporated citizens and the Area Council. Concerns were again expressed that such use of the Rural Area would also have a tendency to increase property taxes for citizens in the unincorporated area by further decreasing the available taxable land, while increasing the need for various associated County-provided services, such as sheriff, fire, emergency, and roads. The bottom line on this issue is that a rigorous needs assessment, an environmental impact assessment, and a cost/benefits analysis should be done, along with a comprehensive public review, before the County commits further expenditures on this project (It was also noted that the County has voted to put two tax levy issues for parks on the August and November election ballots this year).

Concerns were voiced regarding a potential loophole in the new Home-Based Business ordinance which now allows unlimited square footage for outlying buildings to conduct business.  In the past, outlying buildings used to support a business had a footprint limitation and could only be used for storage. Ms. Larson took note of these issues and will provide feedback to the Area Council in the coming months.

Ms. Larson can be contacted at (206) 296-1062 or julia.larson@metrokc.gov. More information is available at new Rural Services website.

Proposed Rural Area Commercial Development

The Area Council discussed a proposed movement of the Urban Growth Boundary (UBG) to develop rural property near Covington. Where SR 18 comes through Covington, there is a large rectangular-shaped area that was retained as rural land. Originally this was done because Jenkins Creek and one of our larger remaining local wetlands dominate the area. The specific proposal by development company BranBar deals with 200+ acres on the north side of SR-18, where Jenkins Creek goes through that part of the land in a large meandering U-shape. BranBar has submitted a formal docket item to move the UGB to the 2008 major update of the King County Comprehensive Plan.

Past Area Council Citizen’s Advisory Surveys have shown strong local opposition to annexation of rural areas by adjoining cities. The Area Council strongly opposes annexation of rural areas and members voiced concerns about the proposed movement of the UGB in this instance and its most likely result: annexation of this large acreage by the adjoining City of Covington. A formal Area Council letter will be forthcoming opposing this proposed change to the King County Comprehensive Plan.

King County Charter Review Commission

In January, King County began its fifth review of its Charter. The charter provides King County with a fundamental, underlying framework of how to govern our region (e.g., a “Constitution”). County Executive Sims appointed a citizens commission to conduct the current review. The King County Charter Review Commission has the authority to recommend amendments and revisions to the County Council. If approved by Council, their recommendations will go to the King County voters for approval.

Area Council members participated in an open discussion of ideas and recommendations to be formally forwarded to the Commission. Many ideas coalesced around regional planning coordination. Consequently, the Area Council decided to recommend the Charter support a strong regional planning / facilitation / coordination function between King County and its cities--specifically in terms of land-use and infrastructure needs. More information on the Commission’s work can be found at www.metrokc.gov/exec/charter/.

Next Meeting

The Area Council meets on the first Monday of each month (except on legal holidays) in the conference room of Sheriff’s Precinct # 3 Headquarters (at 231^st St & SR-169 across from Fire Station). The public is invited to attend. Each meeting begins with an Open Comment period to allow the public to voice issues of concern.

Our next regular monthly meeting will be held on Monday, June 4, at 7:00 PM. Comments on Area Council business may be submitted to GMVAC, P.O. Box 101, Maple Valley, WA  98038, or to gmvac_chair@hotmail.com.