Maple Valley will focus its 2013 legislative agenda on transportation and on legislation that would make it easier for the city to annex property.
Two of the main issues the city faces in regards to transportation are road funding and transit services, David Johnston, Maple Valley city manager, said.
“The state cannot expect local government to use their limited resources to fund highways in their jurisdiction,” Johnston said.
The city would also like to see an increase in transit services over the long-term as one way to ease traffic in Maple Valley. A potential transit center would also help with the projected traffic increase connected to YarrowBay’s master planned developments in Black Diamond.
King County Council member and Maple Valley resident Reagan Dunn gave an annual report Monday night to the City Council in which he spoke to the city’s need for a transit center.
“This town used to be the end of the earth, now it is 23,000 people,” Dunn said.
A bill was introduced earlier this week which could address the city’s efforts to annex the King County-owned property known as the Donut Hole, which is 154 acres off Kent-Kangley Road and Southeast 228th Street. It is home to a county transportation maintenance facility, nine holes of Elk Run Golf Course as well as undeveloped land.
Senate Bill 5417 was introduced Monday by primary sponsor State Sen. Mark Mullet, who represents the 5th District which includes Maple Valley. The bill would amend RCW 35A.14.295 which specifies the conditions under which a city can annex unincorporated property.
The bill would remove language that the land in question must contain residential property owners and would increase the amount of land that can be annexed to 175 acres, both conditions that would benefit Maple Valley.
If passed, the bill would allow the city to begin the annexation process for the Donut Hole property as it would meet the conditions under the revised section A of the bill.
“It (the Donut Hole) is right in the middle of the city,” Johnston said. “It should be annexed.”
Reach Katherine Smith ksmith@maplevalleyreporter.com or 425-432-1209 ext. 5052.
