On Monday, January 9, (a week later than the normal “first Monday of the month” due to the New Year’s Holiday observance on January 2) the Area Council held its monthly meeting at the King County Sheriff’s Precinct #3 at 22300 SE 231st St in Maple Valley and online via Zoom. Our Guest Speaker was King County Dept. of Local Services—Permitting, Subarea Planner, Jacqueline Reid.
Subarea Planning
Jacqueline Reid, King County Subarea Planner discussed Subarea Planning, in general, and the upcoming Greater Maple Valley/Cedar River (GMV/CR) Community Service Area (CSA) Subarea Plan, in particular. The Area Council territory makes up most of the GMV/CR CSA, so this will be the Subarea Plan for our local area.
Subarea plans focus on locally specific policies that address long-range community vision over the next 20 years. Scope varies based on community priorities, while maintaining consistency with the King County Comprehensive Plan (KCCP). The development of Subarea Plans is centered on community engagement. Early steps in developing a Subarea Plan include listening to interests raised by community members across the subarea and working with community members to develop a vision that guides development of the plan.
Community Needs Lists (CNL) are another County initiative that are part of this process. These include a list of services, programs, facilities, and capital improvements that are identified by the community. They are used to implement the vision and policies in the Subarea Plan and to build on the strengths and assets of the community. They also are used by King County departments to inform future budget requests.
The GMV/CR CSA Subarea Plan process will kickoff in July, when King County will begin reach out efforts to members of the Public to help scope the plan. From that July kickoff through June 2025 efforts will include: Establish scope; Develop vision and guiding principles; Develop long-range policies; Analyze amendments to land use, zoning and development conditions; Conduct environmental review with formal comment period; and Prepare a public review draft for comment.
King County Subarea Planners will facilitate this process and will engage and work with the Public at numerous steps. In June 2025 the King County Executive will transmit the recommended GMV/CR CSA Subarea Plan to the King County Council for review and final adoption. For more on the Subarea Planning Process please see: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/local-services/permits/planning-regulations/~/media/depts/local-services/permits/community-service-areas/csa-subarea-planning-and-community-needs-list-programs.ashx
Jenkins Creek Fish Passage Grant
The Area Council voted to support the City of Maple Valley’s Grant Application for the Jenkins Creek Fish Passage Barrier Removal Project under Culvert Aquatic Organism Passage Program. This project will replace multiple culverts that currently prevent fish passage due to their size and deterioration and also cause flooding of public roads and homes. The proposed project would help to enhance habitat along Jenkins Creek. Benefits also will impact the Green River watershed through reduced flooding.
Jenkins Creek courses through the Area Council’s territory and, as such, we have direct concerns with protecting and enhancing its environmental benefits for both people and fish. The Area Council strongly supports this effort and will send a Letter of Support (http://gmvuac.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Letter-of-Support-MV-Jenkins-Cr-Grant-Req.pdf) to the City of Maple Valley to include with its grant application.
Ravensdale Park
The Ravensdale Community has requested the support of the Area Council to encourage King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) to proceed with the construction of two picnic shelters in the Meadow area of Ravensdale Park. This project began six years ago, but was delayed due to several factors including the Covid pandemic.
The Ravensdale community is confident these shelters will support use of the Park and the associated History Trail by local families, as well as others drawn by the regional sports fields. The Area Council voted to submit a letter (http://gmvuac.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GMVUAC-Ltr-to-KC-DNRP-Ravensdale-Pk-Picnic-Shelters.pdf) to DNRP to encourage work be restarted.
Next Area Council Meeting
The next Area Council monthly meeting will be held Monday, February 6 from 7 – 9:30 PM at the King County Sheriff’s Precinct #3 at 22300 SE 231st St in Maple Valley. As a hybrid meeting, people will be able to attend either in-person or virtually via Zoom. Our Guest Speakers will be the King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks, Solid Waste Division Director, Pat McLaughlin, and Andy Smith, Recycling and Environmental Services Manager.
All regular monthly meetings are held on the first Monday of the month (except for Holidays, when they are held on the second Monday), from 7 – 9:30 PM. Meeting announcements, Agendas, and Zoom information 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 our FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/GMVUAC/. Each meeting begins with an open Public Comment period where anyone can voice concerns, comments, etc. to the Area Council.
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 works to keep the Rural Area rural. The Area Council also works regionally with other King County Rural Area organizations through both Joint Planning and its Joint Transportation Initiative.
The twelve-seat Area Council has four open seats. If you have an interest in joining, please send an e-mail to: info@gmvuac.org or attend (either in-person or virtually) a monthly meeting and express your interest. To be eligible to join the Area Council as a member you need to live within the Tahoma School District. Anyone, even those who do not live within the Tahoma School District, are eligible to become Associate Members who can serve on any Area Council Committee: Environment, Growth Management, Transportation, Public Relations, or Train Show. Each committee votes for its own Chair and Vice-Chairs and Associate Members are eligible for those positions. 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.
