Vision Statement:
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.
Puget Sound Regional Council VISION 2050 (p.40):
“Rural Areas are expected to retain important cultural, economic, and rural lifestyle opportunities in the region over the long term. They are not intended to be served with urban services or accommodate a significant amount of residential or employment growth. VISION 2050 calls for reduced rural population growth rates in all counties. Counties are encouraged to plan for even lower growth—where possible—than contained in the Regional Growth Strategy.”
NOTE: Links to external websites do not constitute an endorsement by the GMVUAC.
Major Issues
Planning *
KCCP 2024 Major Update
PSRC Regional Transportation Plan
PSRC VISION 2050
CPP 2021 Update
KCCP 2020 Mid-Point Update
Regional
Adult Beverage Ordinance
Emergent Traffic Corridors
Hirst and Legislative Fix
Onsite Sewage Systems
Utility Franchise Compensation
Local
Asphalt Facility
Cedar Hills Regional Landfill
Landsburg Mine Site Cleanup
John Henry Coal Mine #1
Maple Valley Market Conversion
Queen City Farms
Reserve Silica
* : Joint efforts with other King County Rural Area UACs, UAAs, and Organizations (see “Joint Team of Rural Area Organizations” box below)
Joint Team of Rural Area Organizations
- Enumclaw Plateau Comm Assoc
- Four Creeks UAC
- Friends of Sammamish Valley
- Greater Maple Valley UAC
- Green River Coalition
- Green Valley/Lake Holm Assoc
- Hollywood Hill Association
- Soos Creek Area Response
- Upper Bear Creek UAC
- Vashon-Maury Island Community Council
The Joint Team has collaborated on the following major regional tasks:
DOC Proposed Changes to GMA WACs
PSRC Regional Transportation Plan
PSRC VISION 2050
CPP 2021 Update
KCCP 2024 Major Update
KCCP 2020 Mid-Point Update
Adult Beverage Ordinance
Emergent Traffic Corridors
The Greater Maple Valley UAC (GMVUAC) coordinates the Joint Team.
Drop us a line
Ask a question or express your interest:
GMVUAC
PO Box 111
Maple Valley WA 98038
Announcements
Monthly Meetings
On Monday, May 1, 2023, the Area Council will hold its regular monthly meeting from 7 – 9:30 PM at the Maple Valley Fire Station at 22225 SE 231st St (across from the KC Sheriff’s Precinct). Guess Speakers will be: (1) Maple Valley Fire Protection District #43 Commissioners, John Herbert and Camille Walls, who will discuss plans for siting Fire Stations and (2) City of Maple Valley Mayor, Sean Kelly, and City Manager, Laura Philpot. All monthly meetings are hybrid—in-person and on Zoom. As the meeting date approaches, please see “GMVUAC Monthly Meetings” box for Agenda and Zoom information.
On Monday, April 3, 2023, the Area Council held its regular monthly meeting. Ravensdale land-use issues were discussed, as well as proposed code changes submitted as part of the KCCP Major Update. For an article summarizing the meeting please click on “* 4/23—Ravensdale Community Issues” in the 2023/2022 GMVUAC Monthly Meeting Articles box or go to the “Correspondence” drop-down menu and click on “Monthly Articles” and select “2023.”
2024 KCCP Major Update
In March 2023, the Joint Team (ten Rural Area Unincorporated Area Councils / Unincorporated Area Associations / Organizations, coordinated by the Area Council) submitted several proposed changes to King County Code as part of its work on the Update. The next major milestone in the Update process will be the release of the Public Review Draft in June by the King County Executive’s Office.
Adult Beverage Ordinance
On November 22, 2022, the King County Council passed an Ordinance declaring a one-year moratorium prohibiting the acceptance of applications for the establishment of new or expansion of existing wineries, breweries, distilleries and remote tasting rooms, as primary or accessory uses or as home occupations or home industries; and prohibiting temporary use permits for wineries, breweries, distilleries and remote tasting room; and establishing a work plan to evaluate the next steps for the regulations regarding these uses.
Public Survey
The GMVUAC’s 2022 Public survey is now available. Click on read more to find out more about the survey, about the area council and access the survey.
News
Asphalt Facility
On April 14, 2022, the King County Department of Local Services–Permitting Division approved Lakeside Industry’s development and shoreline permits (see: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/local-services/permits/public-notices.aspx). Members of the Public have submitted a Land-Use Petition to Superior Court arguing against this decision calling for either preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement or additional mitigation to address the environmental impacts.
2021 CPP Update
On April 6, 2022, the 2021 Countywide Planning Policies (CPPs) were ratified by the cities and towns in King County following the King County Council’s approval in December 2021. The CPPs (https://kingcounty.gov/~/media/depts/executive/performance-strategy-budget/regional-planning/CPPs/2021-CPPs-Adopted-and-Ratified.ashx?la=en) provide a countywide vision and serve as the guiding principles and policies for all Comprehensive Planning in King County (County, City, and Special-Purpose District), as well as County and City Zoning Codes. Since mid 2020 the Area Council led a team of Rural Area UACs and UAAs (Unincorporated Area Associations) in a complete review of multiple drafts and preparation of detailed written comments.
Cedar Hills Regional Landfill
On March 22, 2022, the King County Dept. of Natural Resources–Solid Waste Division issued a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) on its Cedar Hills Regional Landfill 2020 Site Development Plan and Facilities Relocation. The FEIS includes changes to the September 2020 Draft EIS (DEIS) based on new information learned, and comments received, as well as responses to comments submitted on the draft EIS. As part of State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) requirements, the Final EIS contains a Responsiveness Summary (Appendix M), which provides the public with responses from the Solid Waste Division to all the questions and comments that were received during the public comment period for the Draft EIS. Please visit the project website to review the FEIS documents.
2022 PSRC RTP Update
On February 25, 2022, the Area Council, through its Joint Transportation Initiative (JTI), submitted Comments on the Puget Sound Regional Council’s draft 2022 Regional Transportion Plan (RTP) Update. JTI led a team of King County Rural Area UACs/UAAs/Organizations (EPCA, FofSV, GRC, GV/LHA, HHA, SCAR, UBCUAC) to review the draft RTP and prepare detailed comments.
Major Issues
Planning *
KCCP 2024 Major Update
PSRC Regional Transportation Plan
PSRC VISION 2050
CPP 2021 Update
KCCP 2020 Mid-Point Update
Regional
Adult Beverage Ordinance
Emergent Traffic Corridors
Hirst and Legislative Fix
Onsite Sewage Systems
Utility Franchise Compensation
Local
Asphalt Facility
Cedar Hills Regional Landfill
Landsburg Mine Site Cleanup
John Henry Coal Mine #1
Maple Valley Market Conversion
Queen City Farms
Reserve Silica
* : Joint efforts with other King County Rural Area UACs, UAAs, and Organizations (see “Joint Team of Rural Area Organizations” box below)
Drop us a line
Ask a question or express your interest:
GMVUAC
PO Box 111
Maple Valley WA 98038
Greater Maple Valley
The GMVUAC serves the residents of unincorporated King County living in the Tahoma School District No. 409 (outside the city limits of Maple Valley). Our Washington nonprofit corporation was established in 1977; we serve a population of 16,100 (2010 Census); and our service area is 116 sq mi. Below is a map of our Service Area and the four Community Areas:
2023/2022 GMVUAC Monthly Meeting Articles
* 5/23--Fire District Facility Plans
* 4/23--Ravensdale Community Issues
* 3/23--KC Flood Mgmt Plan
* 2/23--KC Solid Waste & Recycling
* 1/23--Subarea Planning
* 12/22--KC Dept. of Local Services
* 11/22--KC Budget
* 10/22--KC Tax Assessor
* 9/22--Conserve Our Futures
* 8/22--School Siting & Impact Fees
* 7/22--Community Outreach
* 6/22--State Representative Visit
* 5/22--Rural Area Issues
* 4/22--KC Comprehensive Plan
* 3/22--Fireworks Prohibition
* 2/22--Fossil Fuel Facility Permitting
* 1/22--Area Council Biennial Survey
2021 GMVUAC Survey
