On Monday, June 1, the Area Council held its third “virtual” monthly meeting during the Coronavirus emergency. Topics addressed were: King County Strategic Climate Action Plan and the King County Comprehensive Plan 4-Year Mid-Point Update.
Tahoma School District (TSD)
Val Paganelli gave a brief update. Four different Task Forces have been formed which are looking into the District’s approach in the Fall expecting things might not be back to normal. The Budget process has started.
King County Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP)
King County’s Matt Kuharic, SCAP Project Manager, and Rachel Brombaugh, Acting Director of Climate and Energy Initiatives, provided status on the 2020 SCAP Update.
SCAP is King County’s blueprint for climate action, and provides “one-stop-shopping” for county decision-makers, employees, and the general public to learn about the County’s climate change commitments. The 2015 SCAP charted a clear pathway to achieve a clean energy future, where the region’s local governments, businesses and communities are working together towards an equitable, sustainable and thriving King County. It built on technical assessments of what actions and commitments, when taken together, ensure that climate targets are met. It identified priority actions that will lead to significant progress in achieving regional Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reduction targets and conveyed opportunities to act on climate solutions that achieve additional social, economic and environmental benefits.
The 2020 SCAP Update outlines County actions on climate change for the next five years. It focusses on reducing regional GHG emissions, prepares for climate change impacts, and supports resilience in communities disproportionately impacted by climate change. It will be transmitted by King County Executive to the King County Council in August 2020. The Area Council plans to review and comment on the SCAP Update when it is made available to the Public.
More information can be found at: https://www.kingcounty.gov/services/environment/climate/actions-strategies/climate-strategies/strategic-climate-action-plan/2020-SCAP-update.aspx.
King County Comprehensive Plan Update
The 2020 Mid-Point Update (4-yr mid-point between 8-yr Major Updates)—drafts of which all King County Rural Area Unincorporated Area Councils (UACs) and Unincorporated Area Associations (UAAs) reviewed and submitted detailed comments on last year—is in the final stages of approval by the King County Council.
The King County Council has proposed “Striker” Amendment to the King County Executive’s Recommend Update that include changes to the following items of interest to the Rural Area: 4:1 Program; Transfer of Development Rights; Non-Resource Industrial Uses; Agricultural Production Districts; Accessory Dwelling Units; Mineral Resources; Pathways/Sidewalks; and Transportation.
The Area Council again is leading an effort with other King County Rural Area UACs and UAAs to review, prepare, and submit comments on any of the above items deemed necessary. The Area Council voted to approve a joint set of comments to be submitted to the King County Council.
A Public Hearing before the King County Council will be held on June 9 (for information on how to provide comments/testimony please see: https://www.kingcounty.gov/council/CompPlan/2020compplan/publicnotice.aspx). Current deadline for King County Council approval is the end of June, but that date may slide due to the current emergency.
Upcoming Area Council Meetings
The next Area Council regular monthly meeting will be held on Monday, July 6, which is expected to be another “virtual” meeting.
All regular monthly meetings are held on the first Monday of the month, from 7 – 9:30 PM. 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). All are welcome with each meeting beginning with an open Public Comment period.
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 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 Committee. 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.
