The Greater Maple Valley Area Council held its regular monthly meeting on Monday, November 5, with 13 members present, two absent, and one position open. The following items were addressed:

1) Annual Model Train Show

2) King County Comprehensive Plan Update.

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

Annual Model Train Show

The Annual Model Train Show sponsored by the Area Council took place over the weekend of October 19-21 at Gracie Hansen Mansion Community Building in Ravensdale. This year’s Train Show was an overwhelming success with many families and individuals viewing the 12 major train displays on hand. Approximately 1,000 people of all ages enjoyed the show this year with several winning a variety of door prizes.

The modest profit made will be used to make the 2008 Train Show an even better event. The Area Council wishes to thank all those who participated, both the displayers and the attendees, for making this a memorable show.

At this time, the Train Show has no home for 2008 because the Gracie Hansen Mansion Community Building has been leased by King County Parks for two years to a private batting cage operation. The Area Council will work with the County to help accommodate next year’s show and allow the local community to enjoy the Annual Model Train Show.

King County Comprehensive Plan Update

The King County Comprehensive Plan is the guiding policy document for all land-use and development in unincorporated King County. It is updated each year. Every fourth year major revisions are proposed for adoption. This was last done in 2004. The King County Dept. of Development & Environmental Services (DDES) has prepared a Public Review Draft (the Draft) for the next major update in 2008.

The Area Council has assigned its Land-Use and Transportation Committees to conduct a detailed review of the Draft. Those Committees provided a Status Report of their review. Committee Subteams are currently reviewing all 11 chapters and three appendices of the Draft. Major focus is on Chapter 3 (Rural Area and Natural Resource Lands), Chapter 4 (Environment), Chapter 7 (Transportation), and Chapter 9 (-Economic Development). The Committees are preparing Evaluation Matrices (providing general comments) and Detailed Comment Forms (providing specific comments and recommendations) for final review by the full Area Council at its December regular monthly meeting.

Subsequently, Area Council Public Comment on the Draft will be formally submitted to DDES with copies to the King County Executive and the King County Council. By the end of the year Area Council Public Comment will be posted on this web site. The Area Council will continue to review progress on the King County Comprehensive Plan Update for 2008 as it proceeds to final approval late next year.

Citizens also can provide their comments on the Draft up until December 28. Comments then will be compiled by DDES. King County Executive Sims will submit the recommended 2008 King County Comprehensive Plan update to the King County Council on March 1, 2008, for review with final approval by the King County Council late next year. Citizens can review online information on the Comprehensive Plan, the update process, and the Draft itself. Public comments can be sent via e-mail or by regular mail to: Dept. of Development & Environmental Services; ATTN: Paul Reitenbach; 900 Oakesdale Ave. SW; Renton, WA  98057-5212.

Next Meeting

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

Our next regular monthly meeting will be held on Monday, December 3, at 7:00 PM. Larry Fay, King County Director of Environmental Health, will speak about proposed changes in policies and regulations for on-site sewage systems.

Comments on Area Council business may be submitted via email or to GMVAC, P.O. Box 101, Maple Valley, WA  98038.