The Area Council held its regular monthly meeting on Monday, October 5. Topics discussed were: Proposed Asphalt Facility, Cedar Hills Regional Landfill, and Issue Responses from King County.
Tahoma School District (TSD)
TSD Board member, Val Paganelli confirmed Superintendent, Mike Hanson, will speak with Area Council at its November 2 Monthly Meeting. TSD plans to start lower grades (K-2) on-site in a few weeks, but still are monitoring COVID case situation. Families will have a choice of what they want to do—in person or remote. Some students are participating in different ways including home schooling.
Preposed Asphalt Facility
On August 24 Lakeside Industries submitted to the King County (KC) Department of Local Services (DLS) Permitting (DLS-P) its responses to Comments provided in the summer/fall of 2019 by both KC DLS-P and members of the Public (including multiple sets of detailed comments from the Area Council) regarding its proposed relocation of its Asphalt Facility currently located in the City of Covington inside KC’s Urban Growth Area to the KC Rural Area’s old Sunset Materials/KC Shops site along SR-169 and the Cedar River.
The Area Council’s Growth Management Committee is leading an effort to review all posted documents (https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/local-services/permits/public-notices/special-interest-projects/lakeside-industries-asphalt-COMM18-0014.aspx). That effort led to a final draft of a comprehensive set of comments reviewed by the full Area Council. Following an Area Council vote, approval was given for the comments to be finalized and submitted by October 12 to KC DLS-P. Please see the Area Council website’s Current Issues box on our Home page: www.gmvuac.org and the Correspondence page. The final submittal will be available on the Area Council’s website after October 12.
Cedar Hills Regional Landfill Site Development Plan Draft Environmental Impact Statement
On September 16 the Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP) Solid Waste Division (SWD) released its draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill Site Development Plan (see: https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/dnrp/solid-waste/facilities/landfills/cedar-hills-development.aspx#project_documents).
Alternatives are being considered to increase the length of time the landfill would accept garbage beyond 2028, which is when the landfill currently is estimated to reach capacity: Three Action Alternatives, that would extend the life of the landfill to approximately 2037, 2038, or 2046, as well as a No Action Alternative (2028).
The draft EIS identifies potential significant impacts; describes mitigation measures to avoid such impacts or reduce them below significant levels; and summarizes any significant unavoidable adverse impacts of the proposed alternatives to earth; odor; surface and groundwater quality and quantity; plants and animals; greenhouse gas emissions; environmental/human health; noise and vibration; land and shoreline use; aesthetics, light, and glare; and transportation.
The Area Council’s Environment Committee is leading an effort to draft a set of detailed comments. The Area Council decided to hold a Special Meeting on October 26 to review and vote on a final set of Comments, which are due to KC by October 30.
Responses From King County to Issues/Questions
On September 9, at the request of the KC DLS, the Area Council submitted a set of key issues/questions that it believes require either action or further information. The topic areas were broad:
1. Cedar Hills Landfill Site Plans.
2. Queen City Farms Site Plans.
3. Erickson Trenchfilling in Ravensdale.
4. Materials Processing Facilities Code Changes.
5. Neighborhood Business Zoning Changes.
6. Ravensdale Parcel Up-zone Precedent.
7. Large Truck Haul-Route Agreements.
For the letter, please see the Area Council website’s Correspondence/Letters page under the 2020 block: http://gmvuac.org/letters/.
The Area Council received responses back from the KC DLS Roads and Permitting Divisions, as well as KC DNRP/SWD, which are now being reviewed by Area Council Committees. The Area Council decided to invite the KC DLS Director and his key Division people to a future meeting.
Annual Train Show
The Area Council’s popular Train Show in Ravensdale will NOT be held this year due to the pandemic.
Upcoming Area Council Meetings
The next Area Council regular monthly meeting will be held on Monday, November 2, which will be another “virtual” meeting. Guest Speaker: TSD Superintendent Mike Hanson.
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, and on NextDoor. 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 Tra-portation, as well as the Ad Hoc Economic Committee, Public Relations Committee, and train Show 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.
