Unincorporated Area Community News

Welcome to Community News, King County government's monthly newsletter for unincorporated area residents. You can find the newsletter online with links to program details, at www.kingcounty.gov/UnincorporatedAreaNews. To see previous versions of the Unincorporated Area Community Newsletter visit the archives.

Engage with King County

South Treatment Plant and demonstration garden tours

Join us on Saturday, May 22, from 10 a.m. to noon at the South Treatment Plant, 1200 Monster Rd. in Renton. Find out how wastewater from our homes is treated, recycled and safely returned to the environment. The biosolids demonstration garden and greenhouse are starting to come out of hibernation. RSVP at 206-263-6028 or visit the website.

King County Assessor hosts Town Hall meeting on property assessments

On Thursday, May 27, King County Assessor Lloyd Hara will host a Town Hall meeting from 7- 8:30 p.m. at Covington City Hall, , 16720 SE 271st Street. To learn more about the Town Hall please email edna.shim@kingcounty.gov or visit website.

King County’s Strategic Plan

Residents will have another opportunity to provide input on King County’s "Strategic Plan, 2010 – 2014: Working Together for One King County.” The five-year plan was created with input from hundreds of residents, staff and elected officials over the past 18 months and will be a key tool in King County Executive Dow Constantine’s efforts to reform county government. The plan must be adopted by the King County Council, which will provide its own process for review and more opportunities for public feedback.

News

Sammamish River Trail Alert: Repair work, May 3-14

The Sammamish River Trail will be closed to all access from May 3-14 from Leary Way and Northeast Marymoor Way near Redmond at Marymoor Park’s west entrance, as crews repair a 200-foot section of trail.

Expect delays on some White Center and Vashon bus routes

In mid-May, the City of Seattle begins a new phase of its project to widen the Spokane Street Viaduct between Interstate 5 and the West Seattle Bridge. Construction of this project is expected to affect local bus service to West Seattle, White Center, Harbor Island and Vashon Island for more than a year.

Road construction season is here - have you signed up for alerts?

Motorists and bus riders are encouraged to sign up for King County's variety of travel alerts, especially now that road-construction season is gearing up throughout the area.

Online bike map has new features

King County’s popular Bike Map is a great tool for green travel, and was recently enhanced with an interactive online version. Bike riders can now pan and zoom to follow a route, and find services and places of interest along the way.

Prepping Novelty Hill Road for improvements

Preliminary work has begun for summer road construction on and around Northeast Novelty Hill Road east of Redmond. Find out more about the two-year project to make improvements on Novelty Hill Road, 195th/196th Avenue Northeast, and Northeast Union Hill Road on the website.

Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Skills Park Grand Opening

Come see what all the buzz is about at the grand opening of the new mountain bike facility at Duthie Hill Park on Saturday, May 22 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Built through a partnership with Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, this park is the only one of its kind in the region and offers trail features that are appropriate for all ages and skills levels.

Run (or walk) your backyard off

Group Health presents the Big Backyard 5k, a run/walk at Marymoor Park on Sunday, May 23. The course is flat, so families, seniors, runners, and dog-walkers can all enjoy a day out in the park. All proceeds benefit King County Parks – Your Big Backyard. Sign up today!

Interested in running for office?

Candidate filing for public office takes place June 7-11. For a list of open offices and more information, visit the King County Elections website.

Water safety

Warm spring days and a melting snowpack are a risk to rafters, swimmers and tubers on our county’s rivers and lakes. Learn important safety tips by visiting the website.

Early cancer detection

Public Health is joining with Fisher Broadcasting to raise awareness that early cancer detection can save your life. When detected early, survival rates for many cancers average over 90 percent. Share your story on the importance of early cancer detection by recording a short video. Selected winners will have their videos broadcast on KOMO 4.

May is Mental Health Month: Live your life well

One in four persons struggle with mental health problems every day. Your mental health is every bit as important as your physical health. Know the warning signs for stress and depression and seek help if you need it. To see if you are eligible for King County's Mental Health Plan visit the website or call 1-800-790-8049.

Executive proposes customer-oriented reforms at DDES

Executive Constantine recently transmitted to the County Council a plan for customer-oriented reforms at DDES, the county’s building and land-use permitting agency. The planned reforms will focus on flat fees, bringing more predictability to customers, as well as optimizing service to the increasingly rural DDES customer base. For additional information, visit the website.

DDES brings efficiencies to residential permit process

DDES has put in place a new screening strategy for residential permit applications. As of March, permit applications for the most straightforward residential building proposals will skip some of the preliminary review stations required in the past, potentially saving several weeks of review time and also reducing permit fees. For additional information, please contact Jim Chan, DDES Building and Fire Services Division Director, at 206-296-6740.

Get ready for summer in your Big Backyard

It’s nearly summer, and already King County's parks are bustling with fun and exciting adventures – from rental yurts to Cirque du Soleil shows, plus outdoor movies and concerts to trail building. Keep up with it all by checking out the King County Parks calendar, following the King County Parks blog or becoming a fan of the King County Parks Facebook page.

Find a new pet

Kent Station Shopping Mall donated space to King County Animal Care and Control for a Helping Orphaned Pets Everywhere (HOPE) storefront after a successful adoption event during the 2009 holiday season. Find a new family member by visiting the HOPE storefront Wednesdays from 2-6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pet-related items are also available at the store for a donation.

DDES secures energy grant to assist customer with green building proposals

A $200,000 energy grant from the U.S. Department of Energy will provide direct customer assistance to permit applicants looking for more efficient and environmentally-friendly designs within their development proposals. For more information, contact Jane McPherson in the DDES Building and Fire Services Division at 206-296-7255.

County awarded ‘best’ for technology

King County’s Office of Emergency Management has received the Emergency Management Digital Distinction Award for “Best Collaboration and Information Sharing” for its SharePoint web application. This is one of several recognitions honoring outstanding digital applications that enable first responders to deliver emergency services more effectively. View winner summaries on the website.

Watch for high-tech traffic counters on county roads

The King County Road Services Division has started using magnetic vehicle classifiers to count vehicle traffic on roads in unincorporated areas. They will be used mostly on high-volume roads.

Community news

Enumclaw

‘Homegrown Celebration’ to feature 4-H, Enumclaw-area produce, arts and crafts

The City of Enumclaw and the King County Fair are teaming up to present the 2010 Homegrown Celebration, Aug. 12-14, at the Enumclaw Exposition Center.

Four Creeks/May Valley

May Valley Park community meeting

Help envision park improvements at May Valley Park on Wednesday, May 12 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Celebration Church in Renton. For more information and to get involved, visit the website.

Bicycle Safety Rodeo

Come join in on the fun on Saturday, May 22, rain or shine, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Liberty High School parking lot, 16655 SE 136th St., Renton. The Sheriff's Office will provide bicycle safety lessons, helmet fittings, low cost helmets for purchase, and an actual course to practice. Bring your bike and helmet. Hot dogs, popcorn and snacks will be available for purchase from the Liberty High School PTSA and ASB.

Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council meeting

May 19, 7 p.m., at the May Valley Alliance Church, 16431 SE Renton-Issaquah Rd. in Renton

Greater Maple Valley

Greater Maple Valley Area Council

(This item submitted by the GMVAC)
The GMVAC's Growth Management Committee and Transportation Committee are jointly reviewing King County Code (KCC) to address potential rural area impacts from large urban developments. This was precipitated by the recently completed set of hearings on the Yarrow Bay-proposed 6,000-home Master Planned Developments in Black Diamond. The objective of the effort is to provide recommended KCC changes to the King County Executive and County Council to protect the rural area from massive urban development. Draft recommendations will be presented to the full GMVAC for a final vote at our monthly meeting, July 12. Final recommendations will be presented to county officials later in the summer to coincide with their annual budget cycle.

Greater Maple Valley Area Council meeting

June 7, 7 p.m., at the Sheriff's Precinct 3, 22300 SE 231st in Maple Valley

North Highline

North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting

June 3, 7 p.m., North Highline Fire District Office, 1243 SW 112th St. in Seattle

Upper Bear Creek

Upper Bear Creek Community Council meeting

May 25, 7:30 p.m., Woodinville Water District Office, 17238 N.E. Woodinville-Duvall Rd. in Woodinville

Vashon

Vashon - Maury Island Trails

King County Parks is participating in an island-wide trail planning process. On May 4, over 25 island residents representing various community interest groups attended the first of six scheduled trail planning sessions at the Vashon – Maury Island Land Trust building. The goal is to develop an integrated and connected community trail vision that includes walkers, hikers, bicyclists and equestrians that will serve the growing demand for connected and accessible trails on the islands.

Vashon-Maury Island Community Council meeting

May 17, 7:30 p.m. at McMurray Middle School, 9329 Southwest Cemetery Road, Vashon.

West Hill

West Hill Community Council Board meeting

May 12, 7 p.m., Fire District #20, 12424 76th Ave S. in Seattle

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If you have comments or suggestions about future content, please contact Lauren Smith at 206-263-7146 or lauren.smith@kingcounty.gov.