The Greater Maple Valley Area CouncilThe Greater Maple Valley Area Council met Jan. 11 for the regular monthly meeting. The 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.
Area council elections and citizens’ advisory survey
In odd-numbered years the council conducts elections to fill half of its 16 seats. Members serve four-year terms, which are staggered so that half are contested every two years. In addition, the council conducts an advisory survey to gage citizens’ opinions on a variety of important matters.
Election results have now been tabulated. Dave Fields and Rob Morris were reelected to their seats in the Hobart area and Les Dawson and Patrick Seiver were reelected to their seats in the River Heights area. James Callow was elected to and sworn in as a new member to fill an open position in the Ravensdale area.
In internal elections for its officers the council reelected Steve Hiester as chair, Dave Fields as vice chair, Beverly Tonda as recording secretary, and Peter Rimbos as corresponding secretary. Susan Dawson was elected as new area council treasurer to replace Kevin Daoust, who decided to retire at the end of 2009.
Results from our Citizens’ Advisory Survey will be published in an upcoming edition, as well as posted on the council Web site. Past results already are posted. In addition, advisory survey results will be provided to King County and state District No. 5 elected officials.
Black Diamond master planned developments
The council discussed the ramifications of two master planned developments (MPDs) proposed by YarrowBay. A total of 4,530 single-family and 1,520 multi-family units have been proposed on nearly 700 acres. Over 1,100,000 square feet of commercial and office space also has been proposed. The council is concerned that such large developments on the rural/suburban fringe will directly impact the greater Maple Valley area and its citizens.
Of particular concern is the adverse impact on local and regional transportation corridors, especially state Route 169 (Maple Valley Highway) and state Route 516 (Kent-Kangley Road), along with local arterials. Estimates of impacts on traffic flow on SR 169 show a near doubling of vehicles when the proposed developments are complete. In addition, major intersections throughout the area will be clogged. All adversely impacting the movement of people, goods and services.
Rural Area citizens have consistently showed in our biannual advisory surveys that transportation is a key issue. In addition, the council believes the proposed YarrowBay MPDs do not meet the transportation concurrency requirements of both the King County Comprehensive Plan and the state Growth Management Act. Consequently, the council voted to send letters of concern to King County and state officials, as well as affected southeast King County cities. Those letters describe the adverse impacts that greatly increased traffic will do to our existing clogged major transportation corridors.
Unincorporated area transportation benefit district
On Dec. 23 the King County Council passed an ordinance establishing a transportation benefit district (TBD) within unincorporated King County to provide for targeted transportation improvements. The rationale given was that key transportation infrastructure improvements are needed to prevent an overall decline in the condition, structural integrity and safety of its transportation system. Available funds have been reduced in recent years due to the effects of several statewide initiatives, declining revenues from the state motor fuel tax, and decreases in available state and federal grant funding.
Among 20 projects identified, four involve SR 169 between Enumclaw and Maple Valley. At this time those projects are not defined in detail. The council decided to contact King County Councilman Reagan Dunn to provide some of those details at a future council regular monthly meeting.
Levies
Our just-completed advisory survey showed that restoration of both the Fire District No. 43 and Tahoma School District levies is the favored option of area citizens. Restoration of the fire levy was favored by 57 percent and restoration of the school levy was favored by 46 percent, with lesser percentages favoring increasing or decreasing either levy. The council also supports restoration of both levies and, as such, will provide and discuss the results of our advisory survey to both Fire District No. 43 and Tahoma School District officials.
Next meeting
The council meets on the first Monday of each month (except on legal holidays) at the sheriff’s Precinct No. 3 headquarters located at 231st Street and SR 169 across from the fire station. Each meeting begins with a public comment period to provide local citizens with the opportunity to voice issues of concern to council members and King County or state officials in attendance.
THe next regular monthly meeting will be 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1. At this time Dunn is our scheduled speaker.
Contact
Comments on council business may be submitted to gmvac_chair@hotmail.com or GMVAC, P.O. Box 101, Maple Valley, WA 98038. For more information on the council’s work on rural issues go to greatermaplevalleyareacouncil.org.
