The Area Council held its regular monthly meeting virtually on Monday, April 5. Major topics discussed were: (1) King County Comprehensive Plan Docket Items and (2) Countywide Planning Policies Update.
Public Comments
Jennifer Ray of Mirrormont expressed concerns with Cedar Hills Regional Landfill (CHRLF) and Cedar Grove Compost (CGC) odors.
Katie Sizer of the Shadow Lake/Spring Lake area would like the Area Council to give its CHRLF presentation to the Renton City Council. Environment Committee Chair, LarKen Buchanan, stated the Area Council intends to do so.
Tahoma School District (TSD) Update
TSD Board member and Area Council committee member, Val Paganelli, provided the update. The TSD Board still is meeting virtually. Schools currently are on spring break. Middle schools commenced in-person hybrid learning the week prior to spring break and high schools will do so immediately following spring break. The district continues to follow public health directives in its decisions for in-person learning.
The TSD Board continues its five-year goals and targets work focused on equity, mental health, school climate and health, high expectations and community partnerships. 2021-2022 Budget discussions have begun and the housing committee is looking at ten-year housing needs.
King County Comprehensive Plan (KCCP) Docket Items
The King County Code defines a Docket Process, which provides an opportunity for members of the public to suggest a change to or identify a deficiency in the KCCP and associated development regulations (e.g., Code). King County responds to each item registered on the Docket. The Docket is open continuously, and on the last business day of December, the items registered in the previous twelve months are compiled into the Docket Report for release on the last business day in April of the following year to the King County Council.
The Area Council discussed and voted to provide comments on a proposed Docket Item (D.I.) and to submit one of its own:
1. Fletcher D. I. Request (past Metal Recycling Facility at 18407 Renton-Maple Valley Rd [SR-169], just south of the Cedar Grove Rd intersection): “Request to change land and zoning on two parcels on the Renton- Maple Valley Road near the Cedar Grove Natural Area from Neighborhood Business to Industrial. Parcel numbers are 3223069070 and 3223069052.” The Area Council previously has submitted comments on the D.I. requestors’ past two attempts for a rezone through the Docket Process: 2018 and 2020. King County, in denying the D.I. requestors’ 2020 D.I. Request, deemed it: “…not eligible to be considered until 2024, which is when the eight-year cycle update will occur.” The Area Council agrees and believes it again should be denied in 2024. The Area Council voted to recommend to King County that the D.I. be denied for the third time.
2. Area Council Request: King County Code should be amended as follows to meet the KCCP Policies regarding the Rural Area:
“21A.06.742 Organic Mmaterials processing facility. Materials processing facility:
A. A site or establishment, not industrial in scale nor accessory to a mineral extraction or sawmill use, that is primarily engaged in crushing, grinding, pulverizing or otherwise preparing earth materials, vegetation, organic waste, construction and demolition materials or source separated organic materials and that is not the final disposal site; and
B. A site or establishment lawfully established before October 10, 2004, as an interim recycling facility for processing source separated, organic materials.”
The Area Council’s request above calls for such “facilities” to process only “organic materials” and calls for the elimination of “facilities” that are “industrial in scale” and that process “earth materials” (e.g., mining materials) or “construction and demolition materials.” Six other King County Rural Area Unincorporated Area Councils (UACs) and Associations (UAAs) agreed to “sign on” to this Docket Request to provide one Rural Area voice to King County on this important issue.
Countywide Planning Policies (CPPs) Update
The CPPs, currently are undergoing an Update, serve as the guiding principles and policies for all Comprehensive Planning for King County and its Cities. The specific areas addressed in the CPPs are: Environment, Development Patterns, Housing, Economy, Transportation, and Public Facilities & Services.
The Area Council is leading a joint team of seven Rural Area Unincorporated Area Councils/Associations (UACs/UAAs) to prepare/submit Comments to King County. An initial set of joint comments were submitted to King County on January 11. On March 10 our joint team submitted a set of detailed comments on a draft Policy Matrix.
On March 24 members of the King County Executive’s Office CPP Update team met with our joint team to discuss those March 10 comments. The meeting went well as we had the opportunity to explain some of our comments in detail and our supporting rationale. As a result, several of our team’s comments and concerns will be reflected in the CPP Update Public Review Draft (PRD), which will be released later in April—usually with a 30-day response time. Our joint team will review the PRD and then prepare/submit detailed comments to King County.
The current schedule calls for the King County Growth Management Planning Council (GMPC) to approve the Update by June 30 followed up by city approvals by September 30. The GMPC will submit its final Update to the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) by December 31.
For further information please see: http://gmvuac.org/countywide-planning-policies/.
Upcoming Area Council Meetings
The next Area Council regular monthly meeting will be held on Monday, May 3, which will be another “virtual” meeting via Zoom—access information will be posted on the Area Council’s website www.gmvuac.org. There will be two Guest Speakers: (1) Rory O’Rourke, Health and Environmental Investigator in the Environmental Health Services Division of Public Health – Seattle & King County will discuss health and safety issues related to both the CHRLF and CGC and (2) Nicole Sanders in the King County Department of Local Services Permitting Division will discuss the Green Building Program.
All regular monthly meetings are held on the first Monday of the month, from 7 – 9:30 PM. Meeting announcements are published in the Voice of the Valley, the Area Council’s website (www.gmvuac.org) and local NextDoor platforms. You can also find us on Facebook. All are welcome with each meeting beginning with an open Public Comment period. [When State restrictions are lifted, the Area Council will again meet face-to-face with members of the Public invited to attend and continue to invite Guest Speakers on topics of key local and regional interest. Meetings will be held at the Maple Valley Fire Station—SE corner of SE 231st St & SR-169 intersection directly across from the Police Precinct.]
Area Council Membership
Your Area Council serves as an all-volunteer, locally recognized advisory body to King County on behalf of all rural unincorporated area residents living in the Tahoma School District. The Area Council’s Vision Statement is:
“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 landowners’ 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 twelve-seat Area Council currently has three open seats. If you have an interest in joining please send an e-mail to: info@gmvuac.org or attend a monthly meeting and express your interest.
Citizens who are not members of the Area Council or do not live within the Tahoma School District still are eligible to join and serve on any of the Area Council’s three major subject-matter Committees: Environment, Growth Management, or Transportation, as well as the Ad Hoc Economic, Public Relations, and Train Show Committees. The Area Council welcomes your participation. For information on each of these committees please see the Area Council’s web site: www.gmvuac.org and use the drop-down menu under Committees. Thank you.
