October 2006 Meeting Summary

By Peter Rimbos, Corresponding Secretary

The Greater Maple Valley Area Council serves as an all-volunteer, locally elected advisory body to the King County Council. It represents all The Greater Maple Valley Area Council serves as an all-volunteer, locally elected advisory body to the King County Council. It represents all unincorporated area residents living in the Tahoma School District. On Monday, October 2, the Area Council devoted the majority of its Regular monthly meeting to Growth Strategies and Impacts in the area. The specific topics were: (1) City of Maple Valley Growth Strategy and Plans; (2) Fred Meyer Expansion Plans; and (3) Black Diamond Development Project.

City of Maple Valley Growth Strategy and Plans

Maple Valley Mayor Laure Iddings and City Manager Anthony Hempstad discussed the history of incorporation and the progress made since then in developing a successful community. In the mid-1990s the Area Council funded a study group to evaluate the feasibility of incorporation. That study showed Maple Valley could succeed as a city economically.

Following the November 1996 election by affected area citizens the City of Maple Valley was incorporated. While the city only comprises ~10% of the greater Maple Valley land area (i.e., the Tahoma School District), it contains ~50% of the population. Compared to other south King County cities, Maple Valley’s population is relatively affluent, highly educated, and has a good level of disposable income.

Following surveys of city residents the City Council has been focusing on a $32M 6-yr Capital Improvement Program that leverages Federal and State dollars and focuses on transportation infrastructure to help alleviate some of the traffic congestion in the area. Although the city has experienced ~8% growth rates over the last 5 years that is expected to level off as available land is built out. The city is also focused on providing services and amenities that its residents have stated they desire. Those include more locally available services, more parks, and better transportation mobility. The city is trying to incorporate its residents' desires in its development planning. The Area Council voiced concern that to meet all of these desires development tradeoffs (e.g., building heights, commercial footprints, and higher densities) will need to be evaluated that some of its residents might not like.

Following the City of Maple Valley presentation, 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.

Fred Meyer Expansion Plans

Mr. Tom Gibbons, Director of Real Estate, and Ms. Melinda Merrill, Public Affairs, of the Fred Meyer Division of the Kroger Company discussed future plans for development of the NE corner of 4 Corners into a Fred Meyer life-style center.

Initial plans include an ~170,000 sq-ft Fred Meyer, surrounded by small businesses, and some living units covering ~20 acres. The Fred Meyer store and parking area would cover ~12 acres. The City of Maple Valley now has a 60,000 sq-ft limitation (about the size of the Safeway across the street, which only has groceries). The Fred Meyer plans emphasize listening to the community and their needs and desires. They are targeting ~2009 for the start of construction.

Black Diamond Development Project

Mr. David MacDuff, General Manager--Black Diamond, of Yarrow Bay Communities discussed their long-term master plan development within the City 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. 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.

Rural Vision

Following several months of discussions and a thorough review of past Voter Surveys the Area Council adopted a draft overarching 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 Area Council plans to refine the underlying objectives and policy elements that support the statement by the end of the year. The general public within the greater Maple Valley community will be provided ample chances to provide comment to help finalize our Rural Vision. The Rural Vision will be used in talks with the County and other organizations to provide a clear voice on what the greater Maple Valley community believes is important to maintain our rural character and support rural interests.

Annual Model Train Show

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. This show has been a very popular local event for many years and community members of all ages are invited to attend. Covering two levels of the facility, model trains will be presented in a variety of imaginative layouts by some of the area's best train enthusiasts. There will be a Lego contest, locomotive races, door prizes, and model trains that can be operated by kids. A gift certificate prize package for the locomotive races will be awarded worth $75.00 for first place and $50.00 for second place.

Next Meeting

The Area Council meets on the first Monday of each month (except on legal holidays) in the conference room of Sheriff's Precinct # 3 Headquarters (at 231^st St & SR-169 across from Fire Station). The public is invited to attend. Each meeting begins with an Open Comment period to allow the public to voice issues of concern. Our next regular monthly meeting will be held on Monday, November 6, at 7:00 PM. Comments on Area Council business may be submitted to GMVAC, P.O. Box 101, Maple Valley, WA  98038, or to Dick Bonewits, Chair, at gmvac_chair@hotmail.com