County seeks input on affordable housing trial
The cost of housing in King County has skyrocketed over the last 10 years. One thing King County is doing to address housing affordability is an Alternative Housing Demonstration Project.
The county started by asking what innovative housing types could create more affordable housing, but aren’t allowed under existing regulations. Two developers submitted proposals — one on Vashon Island and the other in White Center:
1. Island Center Homes
40 living quarters, each with a bathroom and kitchenette, spread across five buildings. Each building also includes a common kitchen, dining, and laundry area. The project will serve people with the most critical housing needs, including people who are experiencing homelessness, those with disabilities or low incomes, seniors, and veterans.
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2. White Center Microhousing
50-60 micro studio and single-occupancy units. Some units will have a private bathroom and kitchenette; others will use shared bathrooms and kitchens on each floor. The ground floor is primarily common space. The developer predicts that rents will be between $650-$1,000 per month, including internet and utilities.
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The photo above shows a completed microhousing project designed by the same developer.
A draft proposed ordinance related to this Affordable Housing Demonstration Project is scheduled for submittal to the King County Council in December for possible adoption. Visit the project website to learn more and comment on the proposed ordinance, or contact Harry Reinert at hreinert@kingcounty.gov or 206-263-3671 for more information.
Join a Facebook Live event about the White Center project
Wednesday, Oct. 2, 4-5 p.m.
King County Local Services and the county's Department of Community and Human Services are beginning to explore what code changes would be required to allow these microhousing developments. This event will feature Mark Ellerbrook, the county's Director of Housing, Homelessness, and Community Development and project manager Harry Reinert (King County Local Services) in a discussion about the White Center development proposal.
To join, go to the King County Local Services Facebook page during the event and click “join” to watch, leave comments, or ask questions.
King County is updating its Strategic Climate Action Plan, a five-year blueprint for climate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, prepare for climate change, and work with partners and communities on climate.
We want your feedback!
What are the most important and effective climate actions the county can take? Where can we lead? What can we accomplish in partnership with our communities, residents, and businesses?
The county is hosting three public workshops in October to share highlights of recent climate progress and challenges and talk about initial ideas for what more we might do, and—most importantly—to get your input on priorities and solutions.
RSVPs are encouraged but not required. To RSVP and for more information about the events and locations, visit www.kingcounty.gov/climate.
Public workshops
Wednesday, Oct. 2, 6-8 p.m.
Student Union Building C, Bellevue College, Bellevue
Saturday, Oct. 12, 10 a.m.-noon
Intellectual House, University of Washington, Seattle
Wednesday, Oct. 16, 6-8 p.m.
Student Union Building 8, Highline College, Des Moines
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You're invited to a
The King County Charter Review Commission invites you to provide input on changes to the King County Charter that they are recommending to the King County Council. The King County Charter is similar to the constitution for King County government.
Let's talk about...
- Returning the King County Sheriff to an appointed position
- Protecting family caregivers and honorably discharged military veterans from discrimination
- Providing a removal process for elected officials who engage in improper behavior
- Providing attorneys to families going through the inquest process
- Providing subpoena power to the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight, the body that investigates misconduct in the King County Sheriff's Office
Bellevue – Tuesday, Oct. 15 – 7 p.m.
Bellevue City Council Chambers
450 110th Avenue NE
Shoreline – Wednesday, Oct. 16 – 7 p.m.
Shoreline City Council Chambers
17500 Midvale Avenue N
Federal Way – Thursday, Oct. 17 – 7 p.m.
Federal Way City Council Chambers
33325 8th Avenue S
Seattle – Wednesday, Oct. 23 – 7 p.m.
Downtown Seattle, TBD
Visit kingcounty.gov/charter for more information.
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Mandatory changes to King County flood regulations
King County is being audited by the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Region 10. The agency is reviewing the floodplain management elements of development regulations in King County Code Title 21A (Zoning).
In response to the audit, King County must update this code to meet federal and state minimum floodplain management standards (Code of Federal Regulations Title 44 and Revised Code of Washington Title 86).
A draft of a proposed ordinance addressing these required code changes, as well as a number of other clarifying, technical, and administrative changes, will be published for public review in October 2019. County staff plan to transmit the proposed legislation to the King County Council in early 2020 for adoption next spring or summer.
Review the draft (expected posting date: Friday, Oct. 4)
Photo: Participants listen to King County Assessor John Wilson at the Vashon-Maury Island Town Hall on Sept. 23.
King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert and the county's Department of Local Services will hold the final 2019 Community Service Area Town Hall meeting in Carnation on Thursday, Oct. 17 at Tolt Middle School. If you live or work in the Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County area, come meet with county officials and staff members to talk about issues that affect your community.
County agencies will offer various services on-site during the first hour. Bring documents to be notarized, recycle small household batteries, learn about pet licensing, and report potholes and other road issues—or just get to know your county staffers.
Lambert and other county officials will speak and answer questions in the second hour, and participants will have the opportunity to break into small groups to discuss specific issues before final closing remarks.
Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County Town Hall
Thursday, Oct. 17, 6-9 p.m. at Tolt Middle School
3740 Tolt Avenue, Carnation
To stay updated, visit our website, follow our blog, or follow us on Instagram (@kingcountylocalservices) or Facebook.
King County Local Services
King County now offers regular customer service hours in seven communities. Drop by and let us know how we can serve you!
Bear Creek/Sammamish
Tuesdays, Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Woodinville Library
17105 Avondale Road NE, Woodinville
-Local Services: Marissa Alegria
Fall City
Fridays, Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Fall City Library
33415 SE 42nd Place, Fall City
-Local Services: John Taylor
North Highline
Thursday, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.*
White Center Community Center (Log Cabin)
1205 SW 102nd St, Seattle
-Local Services: Bong Santo Domingo
Southeast King County
Thursday, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Black Diamond Library
24707 Roberts Drive, Black Diamond
-Local Services: Marissa Alegria
Vashon–Maury Island
Tuesday, Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.*
Vashon Chamber of Commerce building, Suite 114
17141 Vashon Highway SW, Vashon
-Local Services: Bong Santo Domingo
-Permits: TBD
West King County–Fairwood
Wednesdays, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
17009 140th Avenue SE, Renton
-Local Services: Marissa Alegria
Skyway West Hill
Monday, Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28, 1-5 p.m.*
Skyway Library
12601 76th Ave S
-Local Services: Bong Santo Domingo
*earlier or later times may be possible with an appointment
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King County Road Services
October road work
Pavement repair
Upper Preston Road Frontage Bridge
between Preston Fall City Road SE and 312th Avenue SE
Epoxy deck overlay work will require full 24/7 closure of the bridge. Work will begin Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 7 a.m. and continue through Friday, Oct. 4 at 4 p.m. After initial prep work, the bridge will be closed to all traffic. This work is weather dependent.
NE Old Woodinville-Duvall Road
from NE Woodinville Duvall Road to NE Woodinville Duvall Road
Pavement repair will require weekday lane restrictions, currently scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 2 through Friday, Oct. 4 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Flaggers will direct traffic through the work zone. Travelers should expect delays. This work is weather dependent.
232nd Avenue NE
from NE 133rd Street to NE Old Woodinville-Duvall Road
Pavement repair work will require weekday lane restrictions, currently scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 2 through Friday, Oct. 4 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Flaggers will direct traffic through the work zone. Travelers should expect delays. This work is weather dependent.
See our road resurfacing website for the current status of paving projects.
Guardrail repair
Kent Black Diamond Road SE
from State Route 18 to Thomas Road SE
Work is tentatively scheduled for weekdays from Monday, Oct. 7 through Friday, Oct. 18, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Flaggers will direct traffic through the work zone. Expect delays.
SE Lake Holm Road
between 132nd Place SE and 177th Place SE
Work is tentatively scheduled for weekdays from Thursday, Oct. 10 through Friday, Oct. 25, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Flaggers will direct traffic through the work zone. Expect delays.
SE 400th Street
between 196th Avenue SE and 236th Avenue SE
Work is tentatively scheduled for weekdays from Friday, Oct. 11 through Friday, Nov. 1, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Flaggers will direct traffic through the work zone. Expect delays.
SE Auburn Black Diamond Road
between SE Green Valley Road and Thomas Road SE
Work is tentatively scheduled for weekdays from Tuesday, Oct. 1 through Friday, Oct. 11, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Flaggers will direct traffic through the work zone. Expect delays.
Learn more about our guardrail repair project.
Traffic safety improvements
8th Avenue SW at SW 102nd Street
Construction of a roundabout requires weekday lane restrictions from Monday, Sept. 9 through Tuesday, Nov. 5, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Flaggers will guide traffic through the work zone with priority given to buses. Pedestrian access will be maintained and facilitated by flaggers. Expect delays.and temporary parking restrictions in the area (learn more).
SE 176th Street at SE 171st Way
Construction of a roundabout requires weekday lane restrictions from Monday, Sept. 9 through Tuesday, Nov. 5, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Flaggers will guide traffic through the work zone with priority given to buses. Pedestrian access will be maintained and facilitated by flaggers. Expect delays.
King County will accept in-person passport applications at its Black River Community Service Center in Renton on Saturday, October 5. Families with travel plans abroad are especially encouraged to attend.
Saturday, Oct. 5, 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Black River Community Service Center (in King County Elections building)
919 SW Grady Way, Renton
What applicants will need to bring
- Application (unsigned)
- Proof of U.S. citizenship (certified birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or previous passport)
- Current ID with photo and signature
- Updated passport photo (King County does not provide or take photos)
- If under age 16, consent is required from both parents
- Payments to U.S. State Department and King County Treasury (see website for fees)
Note: Only passport processing will be available at this special event. No other county services will be available.
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King County Parks
Volunteer to improve your King County park
King County Parks will have many volunteer opportunities in October. If you're interested in helping Your Big Backyard flourish, please visit the King County Parks volunteer web page to learn more and find opportunities near you. Tools, gloves, snacks, and water are provided, and volunteers don't need prior experience.
King County Water and Land Resources Division
County hosts Beaver Working Group Good Neighbor Workshop
King County is seeking input on how we can be a good neighbor when beavers live and build dams on county lands. If you live next to county land that has a stream on it, your participation would be valued at a workshops hosted by the King County Beaver Working Group:
Tuesday, Oct. 29, 5 – 9 p.m.
Maple Valley Library (21844 SE 248th St, Maple Valley)
If you're interested in participating, please RSVP, as space is limited. Visit the website and look for the “Workshop” link.
Questions? Email Jen Vanderhoof
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Solid Waste Division news*
Cedar Hills Regional Landfill tour in Maple Valley
The King County Solid Waste Division is offering a tour of the landfill on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Children aged 5 and up are welcome to join if accompanied by an adult. Reservations are required for this wheelchair-accessible tour. To reserve your spot or to request disability or language accommodations, call 206-477-4466 (Relay 711). Learn more
Cedar Hills Regional Landfill semi-annual community meeting
These meetings provide an ongoing forum for area residents to ask questions and learn about activities at the landfill and at Bio Energy Washington's landfill gas-to-energy facility. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, Oct. 29, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the King County Library Service Center, 960 Newport Way NW in Issaquah. To request disability or language accommodations, please call 206-477-4466 (Relay 711) at least one week before the meeting. Learn more
*Editor's note: these announcements were inadvertently omitted from the original emailed version of this issue of Unincorporated Area News.
Rural Area news
Unincorporated Area Councils and Associations
Puget Sound Regional Council's VISION 2050 Draft Plan—Joint review and comments
On September 16, following a detailed review of the Puget Sound Regional Council’s VISION 2050 Draft Plan, several Rural Area unincorporated area councils/associations* submitted a joint set of extensive comments to the council.
The VISION 2050 Draft Plan represents an excellent description of what our region needs to achieve and how to do so by 2050. The Policies and Actions are sound and reasonable, as is the Implementation Plan. However, we share a concern PSRC lacks sufficient tools for follow-through. Our region’s two biggest concerns will continue to be to: (1) Effectively manage growth—a major problem that only will become more difficult, especially for those cities on the fringe of the Urban Growth Boundary, where growth is least needed and infrastructure is least able to service such growth and (2) Provide an efficient transportation system—a major problem that will become more difficult with insufficient tools available. Concurrency’s many existing flaws only can be fixed at the State level. The “local” focus of Concurrency renders it nigh useless on a “regional” scale, yet major transportation issues only can be addressed using a regional lens. Further, not requiring “Highways of Statewide Significance” to be Concurrency Tested leaves a gaping hole in any traffic analysis to meet Level of Service standards.
Addressing these concerns and achieving Goals of the VISION 2050 Draft Plan, will take strong cooperation among all urban and rural stakeholders, as well as the State providing PSRC with more tools to ensure consistent and successful implementation.
*Enumclaw Plateau Community Association, Green Valley/Lake Holm Association, Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council, Hollywood Hill Association, and Upper Bear Creek Unincorporated Area Council
— Submitted by Peter Rimbos
Editor's note: the views expressed in this article represent the opinions of the author and listed organizations. They do not necessarily represent the views of King County or the Department of Local Services.
Greater Maple Valley/Cedar River Area news
Cedar Hills Landfill Proposed Expansion—Expert Panel
On Sept. 9, at the Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council’s monthly meeting, an expert panel discussed the proposed expansion of the Cedar Hills Landfill. The panel included Glynda Steiner, deputy director of the King County Solid Waste Division; Darshan Dhillon, health and environmental hazards investigator for the Department of Public Health—Seattle-King County; Philipp Schmidt-Pathmann of the Zero Landfill Initiative; and Sue Sander, an independent environmental consultant. An article with details about the discussion was published by the Voice of the Valley.
Green Valley/Lake Holm news
Thanks for making safety event a success
Special thanks to the following county and local agencies that provided resource information to residents attending The Green Valley/Lake Holm Association's 6th Annual Community Safety Event on Sept. 10: King County Sheriff’s Office, Department of Local Services, Emergency Management, Regional Animal Services, Noxious Weed Program, Mountain View Fire & Rescue, and 4Culture.
Our Oct. 30 meeting, listed below, will be our last meeting for 2019. We'll resume regular association meetings in January 2020, on the last Wednesday of each month. Questions, concerns, or comments are always welcome and can be submitted to gvlhassn@gmail.com.
— Submitted by Lynne Miller, Public Affairs, Executive Committee, Green Valley/Lake Holm Association
Free disaster skills training workshops
The following workshops are free to King County residents, but space is limited so registration is required. The training will provide an overview on hazards and skills needed after a disaster. Topics will include local hazards, utility control, water storage/purification, emergency sanitation, creating family emergency plans, and ways to make it through events that might disrupt your normal daily routine.
Thursday, Oct. 3, 6:30-8 p.m.
Woodinville Library
17105 Avondale Road NE, Woodinville
Wednesday, Oct. 23, 6:30-8 p.m.
Normandy Park City Hall
801 SW 174th Street, Normandy Park
Thursday, Nov. 7, 6:30-8 p.m.
Shoreline Library
345 NE 175th Street, Shoreline
For questions about accessibility or to request an accommodation, please email Sophia Lopez or call her at 206-205-6545. Requests should be made at least 14 calendar days prior to the workshop.
Community Alliance to Reach Out and Engage
Monday, Oct. 28, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Lord of Life Lutheran Church
12819 160th Avenue SE, Renton
See website for the latest information and to confirm meetings.
Enumclaw Plateau Community Association
Thursday, Oct. 17, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Enumclaw Library
1700 First Street, Enumclaw
Check the website for the latest meeting information.
Fall City Community Association
Tuesday, Oct. 1, 7-9 p.m.
Fall City Fire Department
4301 334th Place SE, Fall City
The Fall City Community Association promotes building of community, proactively communicates on local issues, and takes action on selected issues that affect the Fall City community. Open to the public. For more information, email Ashley Glennon.
Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council
Tuesday, Oct. 8, 7-9 p.m.
Eastside Fire & Rescue Station 78
20720 SE May Valley Road, Issaquah
Visit the website for the latest information and to confirm meeting dates and locations.
Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council
Monthly meeting
Monday, Oct. 7, 7-9:30 p.m.
Maple Valley Fire Station
Southeast corner of SE 231st Street and SR-169 intersection
Guest Speaker: Tahoma School District Superintendent Tony Giurado.
Visit the website for the latest information and to confirm meetings.
Green Valley/Lake Holm Association Meeting
Wednesday, Oct. 30, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Fire District 44, Station 95
32316 148th Avenue SE, Auburn
Regular meeting agenda items include committee updates on transportation, environment, and safety. This will be our last meeting for 2019. We'll resume regular association meetings in January 2020, on the last Wednesday of each month. Questions, concerns, or comments are always welcome and can be submitted to gvlhassn@gmail.com. For association updates and information, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
North Highline Unincorporated Area Council
Thursday, Oct. 3, 7 p.m.
North Highline Fire District
1243 SW 112th Street
White Center
(Parking and entrance are in the back of the station)
Meetings are open to the public. Monthly meeting of all-volunteer neighborhood-based community organization. For more information, email Liz Giba.
Skyway Solutions Community Development Association
Monday, Oct. 14, 6:30-8 p.m.
13470 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S
Seattle
Open to the public. Skyway Solutions is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in unincorporated Skyway. For more information call 206-706-6400.
Upper Bear Creek Community Council
No meeting scheduled for October.
Visit the website or Facebook page for the latest information and to confirm meetings.
West Hill Community Association Board Meeting
Wednesday, Oct. 9, 7-9 p.m.
Skyway Water & Sewer Meeting Room
6723 S 124th St, Seattle
Board meetings are open to the public and often feature guest speakers as well as community reports and information from a variety of local organizations. For more information, visit the website or send email to contact@mywesthill.org.
Contact King County Local Services
Unincorporated Area Community News is published monthly by the King County Department of Local Services. Please direct questions or comments to Anna Clemenger, anna.clemenger@kingcounty.gov or 206-477-3839.
View online at https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WAKING/bulletins/262296e
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