Members Present: Richard Bonewits, Les Dawson, Kevin Daoust, John Huson, Rob Morris, Eric Harris, Steve Hiester, Warren Iverson, Gordon Moorman, Peter Rimbos, Patrick Seiver.

Members Absent: Claudia Brisendine, Susan Dawson, Dave Fields.

Guests Present: Marissa Alegria, Laure Iddings, Sue Van Ruff, Howard Botts, Sandi Sutton, Ryan Kohlmann, Colin Lund, Kevin Thomas, Darren Peugh, Dave MacDuff, Timothy Lemon, Heath Anderson, Tom Gibbons, Melinda Merrill, Brian Cook

Review and Approve Agenda: Approved

6:10 PM: Overview of Growth Strategy and Plans of the City of Maple Valley/Anthony Hempstad, City Manager: Mayor Iddings and City Manager Hempstad summarized the history of Maple Valley’s incorporation. The city has grown more rapidly than planned but it seems the growth will slow soon as the land available for building will soon be built out. The city has developed and capital outlay program designed to deal with the traffic congestion. The city is also developing a program designed to provide services and amenities that its residents have stated they want.

6:50 PM: Overview of Growth Strategy and Plans of the Black Diamond – Maple Valley Chamber of Commerce/ Sue Van Ruff, Black Diamond – Maple Valley Chamber of Commerce: Ms. Sue Van Ruff, Executive Director of the Black Diamond-Maple Valley Chamber of Commerce, explained the Chamber's mission and objectives of promoting local businesses and business opportunities. She also introduced Ms. Sandi Sutton, current president of the Chamber.

7:40 PM: Fred Meyer Expansion Plan for Maple Valley/Tom Gibbons, Director of Real Estate and Melinda Merrill, Public Affairs – Fred Meyer Division of the Kroger Company: Tom Gibbons discussed future plans for development of the NE corner of 4 Corners into a Fred Meyer lif-style center. Fred Meyer will use approximately 12 acres to develop a ~170,000 sq-ft Fred Meyer, surrounded by small businesses and living units. They will have to negotiate with the city of Maple Valley which has a current lid of store size of 60,000 square feet. They stressed the need to communicate with local residents to deal with traffic, needs and demands of the large facility. They look to begin this project in 2009.

8:10 PM: Overview of Black Diamond Development Project/David MacDuff and Ryan Kohlmann, Yarrow Bay Communities: David MacDuff, General Manager, Black Diamond, of Yarrow Bay Communities outlined the company’s long term master plan for the development of Black Diamond. Yarrow Bay Communities has purchased ~1600 acres in large blocks on the north, east, and southwest of the city. Working within the city’s Master Planning Development Municipal Code and the King County-Black Diamond Open Space Agreement they are planning town building over at least a 15-yr timeframe. Phase 1 consisting of the Lawson Hills Project (320 acres and approximately 1000-1200 houses is expected to begin in 2010. It is anticipated that construction of the first 500-700 homes will be done initially.) Z Mr. MacDuff described town building as full community planning: roads, schools, traffic patterns, commercial facilities, parks, open space, and many forms of housing. He emphasized they intend to work with the City of Black Diamond to make their Comprehensive Plan work and meet the city’s long-term vision. While listening to the policy and plans discussed in each of the above presentations, the Area Council voiced several concerns: (1) small business vs. size and location of big-box stores; (2) increased traffic congestion on all-ready overloaded roads; and (3) sufficient generation of good quality local jobs for the existing and increased population. The Area Council desires to see successful resolutions on each of these issues and will monitor progress, and will participate where necessary, in reaching potential solutions.

8:40 PM: Train Show Planning Status and Support Requirements/Steve Hiester: The Annual Model Train Show sponsored by the Area Council will take place over the weekend of October 20-22 at Gracie Hansen Mansion in Ravensdale. Council members are encouraged to help produce this event.

9:00 PM: Rural Vision Statement Development Status/Peter Rimbos: After several months of development, the council has adopted a draft plan for its Rural Vision Statement:

Our community’s Rural Character will be supported by: facilitating strong local ties and communication between the public, organizations, and government; promoting locally owned businesses and supporting quality education; protecting the environment and maintaining landowner's rights and responsibilities; promoting controlled and well-planned growth with appropriate infrastructure; ensuring proper representation for Rural Interests and needs; and supporting the health and safety and the privacy of our vibrant community.

The council still is developing the underlying objectives and policy elements that support the statement. This should be done by the end of the year. Also, the council will be seeking public input for this document. Our Rural Vision then will become an important communication tool to explain our point-of-view with the County and other organizations.