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

Public meetings set on proposed zoning for marijuana-related businesses
Following the voter initiative creating a state licensing system for production and sales of recreational marijuana, the King County Department of Permitting and Environmental Review has developed proposed standards for the zoning of marijuana-related businesses that would be regulated by the state and located in unincorporated King County. The agency will hold two more meetings on the proposed legislation next week, in Maple Valley and Vashon Island. All meetings will be held from 6-9 p.m., with an open house the first hour and King County staff available to answer questions. The public comment period will begin at 7 p.m.

Civil Rights Commission seeks new members
King County residents interested in public service and raising community awareness and involvement in civil rights issues are invited to apply for one of three positions on the King County Civil Rights Commission (CRC). The CRC is seeking applicants from County Council Districts 1, 2 and 6. For more information, visit the CRC website or contact CRC Administrator Paula Harris-White at paula.harris-white@kingcounty.gov or 206-263-2444.

News

Executive thanks voters for approval of King County Parks Levy
The latest returns as of Aug. 8, show King County Proposition One passing with a commanding 70 percent of the vote. King County Executive Dow Constantine thanked voters for renewing the levy that provides more than 70 percent of the funding to support the County’s system of 200 parks, hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails, thousands of acres of open space, and such regional gems as Marymoor Park and the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center.

Public Lands Acquisition
The Trust for Public Land (TPL), working on behalf of King County, has reached an agreement to purchase approximately 216 acres of land at Squak Mountain from Erickson Logging. If the County Council approves the initial funding this fall, TPL will purchase the site from Erickson Logging in early 2014; King County will purchase the site from TPL in phases as funds are available.

Snoqualmie Valley Trail reopening through North Bend
The King County Parks project to replace dilapidated timber bridge with steel girder span on the Snoqualmie Valley Trail in North Bend is nearly completed, and King County Parks staff expect the new steel span to be open for public use on or before Aug. 15.

'Movies@Marymoor' summer lineup
The 2013 summer lineup at the popular First Tech Federal Credit Union “Movies@Marymoor” outdoor cinema series is sure to draw families, film buffs and outdoor enthusiasts to King County’s Marymoor Park. The 2013 series is presented by Overlake Medical Clinics and runs on Wednesday nights through August.

Concerts at Marymoor
The summer season of Concerts at Marymoor Park is in full swing with a lineup of shows that has something for everyone to enjoy! Featured artists include: 107.7 The End’s Summer Camp, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Daryl Hall and John Oates, Rebelution with Matisyahu, Steely Dan, Willie Nelson and Family, Blondie and The Lumineers and Further. For tickets and more information, visit the website.

Early intervention services available for infants and toddlers
Do you have a child under age 3 with special needs? Are you worried about how your baby or toddler is developing? The King County Birth to Three Program offers evaluations, connections to community services, and more. Early intervention is so important. Call 206-263-9061 or visit the website for more information.

Adopt a Pet: RASKC $100K Challenge ends Aug. 31
Time is running out for you to adopt a pet and help Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) in the ASPCA/Rachael Ray $100K Challenge. Since the Challenge started on June 1, nearly 600 animals' lives have been saved. To help get more great pets into great homes, RASKC has a special offer: adopt one kitten for the regular fee, and get a second for half off! This special only runs until the end of the Challenge on Aug. 31, so visit the Pet Adoption Center soon!

Thousands participate in National Night Out
National Night Out (NNO) is a crime/drug prevention awareness program sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and supported by local law enforcement and emergency management offices. For 30 years, NNO has brought neighbors together and provides the perfect opportunity to build a more resilient community. Start planning next year’s event today.

King County purchases mobile home park along flood-prone Cedar River
As part of an ongoing, long-term project to protect public safety, King County has acquired a mobile home park that lies perilously close to a flood-prone portion of the Cedar River in Maple Valley, and was offered for sale by its owner. King County staff met with tenants of the Riverbend Mobile Home Park on July 24 to discuss the acquisition and future plans for tenant relocation, which is expected to begin this fall. Acquiring the property is identified as a high priority in the King County Flood Hazard Management Plan, as approved by the King County Council.

Free fair housing workshop and seminar
The King County Office of Civil Rights and other civil rights agencies are hosting two free fair housing trainings at the Jackson Federal Building in Seattle on Sept. 26: Introduction to Fair Housing Workshop from 9 a.m. to noon, and Advanced Fair Housing Seminar from 1-3 p.m. Participants receive extensive free fair housing materials in print and CD format. Advance registration is required by emailing Civil-Rights.OCR@kingcounty.gov or calling 206-263-2446. For details and directions, visit the workshop website.

Did you get a call?
If you cast a ballot in the August Primary Election and the Elections Department contacts you, please call back promptly. If there’s a problem with your signature, you’ll need to resolve it before your vote can be counted!

Auto body shops
Confused about regulations? The Local Hazardous Waste Management Program makes it easy. Visit the Auto Body Rule Tool website to check your practices and protect your workers and the environment.

Community Service Area news

Bear Creek/Sammamish Area

Sammamish River preliminary flood insurance rate map public meeting

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will present the 2013 Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate maps for the Sammamish River. The City of Redmond will host the meeting on Aug. 12, from 5-7 p.m. at Redmond City Hall’s Council Chambers, 15670 NE 85th St., in Redmond. Residents will have an opportunity view the maps and learn about any revised flood hazard areas – which could affect flood insurance rates – and the National Flood Insurance Program. King County staff will be available to answer questions. The maps are also available online.

Music in the Park

Upper Bear Creek Community Council is happy to sponsor "Music in the Park" again this summer at Cottage Lake Park!Join us for the final FREE family concert in the park on Aug. 15 from 7-8:30 p.m. You are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy in the park at 190th and NE Woodinville-Duvall Road in Woodinville. Visit the website for more information.

Upper Bear Creek Community Council

Four Creeks/Tiger Mountain Area

Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council meetings

Aug. 21 & Sept. 18, 7 p.m., at the May Valley Alliance Church, 16431 SE Renton-Issaquah Rd. in Renton

Greater Maple Valley/Cedar River Area

Greater Maple Valley Area Council meeting

Sept. 9, 7 p.m., at the Fire Station, 231st St and SR-169 in Maple Valley

(These items submitted by the GMVUAC)

• Covington Northern Gateway

  The Covington Northern Gateway study area abuts our southwest border. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) Alternate 3 calls for 1,500 homes that will put approximately 2,600 more vehicles on our roads and add 850,000 square feet of commercial space. The area council voted to pursue a detailed review of the DEIS and prepare and submit substantive comments. The Flood Control/Surface Water Management, Growth Management, Natural Resources/Parks, and Transportation committees will each work in their respective areas. The full area council will submit final comments by the Aug. 26 deadline.
  

• King County Department of Transportation funding

  The GMVUAC’s Transportation Committee has initiated a project to review King County roads funding and usage to propose an alternative model to ensure unincorporated area road infrastructure is sustainable in the long run. County roads are suffering from ever-increasing wear and tear without sufficient revenue streams from all incorporated and unincorporated area users. The largest component of funding for King County roads (e.g. the Issaquah-Hobart and Ravensdale-Black Diamond roads) comes from property taxes levied on only unincorporated area residents. Due to its broad scope, this effort will include working the Four Creeks and Upper Bear Creek unincorporated area councils.
  

Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County Area

Southeast Middle Fork Road closed for a month

Motorists, hikers and campers: Southeast Middle Fork Road near Tanner is closed for about one month while crews work to replace a deteriorating culvert. Work began Aug. 5. Traffic will be detoured to Southeast Lake Dorothy Road during construction.

More road work on Preston-Fall City Road

Daily traffic delays are expected on Preston-Fall City Road as crews shift from culvert repairs to grinding and paving. Crews will flag traffic in each direction. Please consider alternate routes during commute times and drive with caution through the work zone.

West King County Area

White Center Teen Program – Summer Sack Lunch

Summer Sack Lunch at Steve Cox Memorial Park! Monday through Friday from noon to 1 p.m. through Aug. 16, free lunch for those 18 and under on the front porch of the Log Cabin. And from noon to 2 p.m. there will be arts and crafts, sports, games, reading and other special events. Steve Cox Memorial Park is located at 1321 SW 102nd, in Seattle. For more information call King County Parks White Center Teen Program at 206-296-2952.

Skyway Outdoor Cinema

The annual Skyway Outdoor Cinema is open to the public and located behind the 7-Eleven on Renton Avenue and 76th Avenue South in the U.S. Bank parking lot. All movies start at dusk, around 8:30 p.m., on Friday evenings and feature live entertainment before the movie.

Family Health and Safety Fair

Join Family Health and Safety Fair for free health screenings, all-ages fitness challenge, safety information, and music, games, food and entertainment on Aug. 24 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the King County Fire District No. 20, 12424 76th Ave. S. in Seattle.

White Center Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) August Power Luncheon

Join the WCCC for their monthly Power Luncheon on Aug. 13 from noon-1 p.m. at the WCCC Cabin at 1321 SW 102nd St., to meet other White Center business owners and discuss issues with others from the local business community. This month the WCCC welcomes King County Executive Dow Constantine.

White Center Community Development Association’s (WCCDA) Business Mixer

Mingle with other business owners in White Center on Aug. 13 at the Business Mixer at the 3.14 Pie Bakery, 9602 16th Ave SW, from 6 – 7 p.m. This month’s topic is an update on the new marijuana laws in the state, including dispensaries and their impact in White Center.

North Highline Unincorporated Area Council

Sept. 5, 7 p.m., North Highline Fire District Office, 1243 SW 112th St. in Seattle

West Hill Community Association Board meeting

Aug. 14, 7 p.m., Skyway VFW, 7421 S 126th St., Seattle

Vashon/Maury Island Area

Vashon Maury Island preliminary flood insurance rate map public meeting

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be presenting the 2013 Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate maps for Vashon Maury. King County and the King County Flood Control District will host the meeting from 6-7:30 p.m. on Aug. 21 at the Ober Park Performance Room, 17130 Vashon Hwy. SW. Residents will have an opportunity to view the maps and learn about any revised flood hazard areas – which could affect flood insurance rates – and the National Flood Insurance Program. King County staff will be available to answer questions. The maps are also available online.

Vashon-Maury Island Community Council General meeting

Aug. 19, 7 p.m., McMurray Middle School, Multi-purpose room, 9329 Southwest Cemetery Road, Vashon

If you have comments or suggestions about future content, please contact Alan Painter at 206-296-8734 or alan.painter@kingcounty.gov.

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