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.
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
GMV/CR CSA Subarea Plan
KCCP 2024 Major Update *
PSRC Regional Transp Plan *
PSRC VISION 2050 *
CPP 2021 Update *
KCCP 2020 Mid-Point Update *
Regional
Adult Beverage Ordinance
Cedar Hills Regional Landfill
Emergent Traffic Corridors
Hirst and Legislative Fix
Onsite Sewage Systems
Utility Franchise Compensation
Local
Asphalt Facility
Glamp’g & RV Pk Permit Applic
Landsburg Mine Site Cleanup
John Henry Coal Mine #1
Maple Valley Market Conversion
Queen City Farms
Reserve Silica
* : Joint effort with other King County Rural Organizations (see “Joint Rural Team” box below)
Joint Team
Multiple unincorporated area organizations collaborate to provide residents a voice with their “local” government, King County.
In April 2025 the Joint Rural team (JRT) expanded into the Joint Team (JT) by adding three Urban Unincorporated Area organizations: Fairwood, Skyway, and West Hill.
Currently, the GMVUAC’s Regional Coordinator serves as the Joint Team’s Coordinator.
For more information see:
Drop us a line
Ask a question or express your interest:
GMVUAC
PO Box 111
Maple Valley WA 98038
Announcements
Monthly Meetings
On Monday, December 1, 2025, from 7 - 9:30 PM at the Maple Valley Fire Station at 22225 SE 231st St (across from the KC Sheriff’s Precinct) the Area Council will meet. 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, November 3, 2025, met and major topics discussed were: (1) Hopelink Mobility; (2) Greater Maple Valley/Cedar River Subarea Plan; and (3) Critical Areas Ordinance Update. For an article summarizing the meeting please click on: “* 11/3— “Hopelink Mobility” in the 2025/2024 GMVUAC Monthly Meeting Articles box or go to the “Correspondence” drop-down menu and click on “Monthly Articles” and select “2025.”
Reserve Silica
On September 26, 2025, the GMVUAC, along with the Enumclaw Plateau Community Assoication (EPCA), Green River Coalition (GRC), and Waste Action Project (WAP) submitted Detailed Comments to the King County Department of Local Services--Permitting Division (KC DLS-P) regarding Reserve Silica's permit application GRDE25-0052 to “Expan(d) fill and reclamation activities into Areas 5 and 6 of Reserve’s properties located on parcels 3622069065 and 0121069010.” KC DLS-P processed this application under SEPA and released a Notice of Application on September 5, which provided a 21-day public response period.
Asphalt Facility
On July 17, 2025, an agreement was announced between local community group ‘Save the Cedar River’ and Lakeside Industries that would halt the building of a proposed asphalt plant along SR-169 and the Cedar River. Under the new agreement, Lakeside Industries would not move forward with construction of an asphalt plant under its approved permitting. Instead, they would reengage with King County to permit a warehouse as an alternative. The estimated trip traffic for a warehouse is substantially lower than what was estimated for the asphalt plant, and the warehouse plan would still protect all the critical areas as required by the County Code.
Cedar Hills Regional Landfill
On July 7, 2025, the Joint Team (ten Rural Area and three Urban Unincorporated Area Councils / Associations / Organizations, coordinated by the Area Council) submitted Comments to the King County DNRP Solid Waste Division on its Long-Term Disposal Options Study.
News
GMV/CR CSA Subarea Plan
The Greater Maple Valley/Cedar River (GMV/CR) Community Service Area (CSA) Subarea Plan is now being developed. The Area Council territory makes up most of the GMV/CR CSA, so this will be the Subarea Plan for our local area. The Subarea Plan focusses on locally specific policies that address long-range community vision over the next 20 years. A King County Subarea Planning team has been working with the Area Council for many months and ensuring the Subarea Plan is centered on community engagement. Also, for the King County GMV/CR CSA Subarea Plan website, please see: GMV/CR CSA Subarea Plan (https://publicinput.com/greatermaplevalley).
Area Council Committee (Environment, Growth Management, and Transportation) meetings were held on January 22, 2025, to discuss Objectives, Issues, and Policies for the Subarea Plan. Members of the King County Subarea team attended each meeting providing a wealth of maps, data, and expertise.
KC DLS — JRT+ Forum
On May 1, 2025, at the Issaquah Highlands Fire Station #73 the King County (KC) Department of Local Services (DLS) and Joint Rural Team plus Urban Unincorporated Organizations (JRT+) held a Forum to discuss: Permitting Division Budget Priorities & Tradeoffs.
The purpose was: “To discuss the DLS Permitting Division’s funding Allocations, Priorities, Trade-offs in a budget-constrained environment.”
A set of Meeting Minutes provides a list of all attendees (21) and the Question-and-Answer (10) discussion.
Proposed Glamping and RV Park
On October 24, 2023, the CDUP23-0002 Permit Application to site a Glamping / Recreational Vehicle (RV) Park in Ravensdale was withdrawn by the applicant. On August 6, 2023, the Area Council submitted comprehensive Comments on CDUP23-0002. The proposal is for construction, in three phases, of a recreational campsite in Ravensdale in the Rural Area consisting of 49 units (25 RV, 12 cabin, 8 tent, 3 tipi, 1 camp host cabin), together with all the supporting facilities, such as parking, toilet/shower, kitchen, office/host and an onsite store for campers. To view the Comments, click on the "Glamping" item in the "Major Issues" box under "Local."
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.
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
Glamping & RV Park Permit Application
Landsburg Mine Site Cleanup
John Henry Coal Mine #1
Maple Valley Market Conversion
Queen City Farms
Reserve Silica
* : Joint effort with other King County Rural Organizations (see “Joint Rural Team” 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:
GMVUAC Monthly Meeting Articles
2025
* 11/3--Hopelink Mobility
* 10/6--KC Grants
* 9/8--Local Subarea Plan
* 8/4--Asphalt Facility
* 7/7--Road Services
* 6/2--CHRLF
* 5/5--JRT / KC Forum
* 4/7--Segale Mine
* 3/3--Reserve Silica
* 2/3--CAO Update
* 1/6--KCCP Update
2024
* 12/2--OSS Code Changes
* 11/4--Kickoff of Local Plan
* 10/7--Director of KC DLS
<8/5--No Article>
* 7/1--On-Site Septic Systems
* 6/3--Local Community Plng
* 5/6--Dept. of Local Services
* 4/1--Local Subarea Plan
* 3/4--Letter To KC Executive
* 2/5--KCCP Upd Comments
* 1/15--TSD 2024 Levies
For prior years see: Monthly Articles
2021 GMVUAC Survey
