Updated February 1, 2025
Greater Maple Valley/Cedar River Community Service Area — Subarea Plan
BACKGROUND
Subarea plans focus on locally specific policies that address long-range community vision over the next 20 years. Scope varies based on community priorities, while maintaining consistency with the King County Comprehensive Plan (KCCP). The development of Subarea Plans is centered on community engagement. Early steps in developing a Subarea Plan include listening to interests raised by community members across the subarea and working with community members to develop a vision that guides development of the plan.
GMV/CR CSA Subarea Plan
This is the next Subarea Plan in the King County Unincorporated Area that will be developed. The Area Council territory makes up most of the GMV/CR CSA, so this will be the Subarea Plan for our local area.
Efforts will include: Establish scope; Develop vision and guiding principles; Develop long-range policies; Analyze amendments to land use, zoning and development conditions; Conduct environmental review with formal comment period; and Prepare a public review draft for comment. King County Subarea Planners will facilitate this process and will engage and work with the Public at numerous steps. They plan to directly engage with community members at public meetings, events, etc.
The Subarea Plan will help guide development and investments for the next 20 years in this area. King County Subarea Planners will work with members of the community to develop a vision and include policies to help the community and us achieve that vision. The goal is to make real, equitable improvements in quality of life for everyone who lives, works, and plays in this area. The plan will cover the rural area that lies east of Renton and Kent and north of Covington, Maple Valley, and Black Diamond. It extends east. It features low, rolling hills and several lakes in the west, while the eastern part is in the Cascade Range—including parts of the Forest Production District and part of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
PLAN TOPICS
- Land use and zoning
- Housing and human services
- Environment
- Parks, open space, and cultural resources
- Transportation
- Services and utilities
- Economic development
An Existing Conditions Report was developed by KC Subarea Planners.
There is a KC Interdepartmental Development Team (IDT) assisting KC Subarea Planners and the community in developing the Subarea Plan: IDT Members.
KICK-OFF
The GMV/CR CSA Subarea Plan kicked off with an Open House on September 26, from 5:30-8 PM at the Hobart Community Church. Here is a Summary of the Open House. Here is the Scoping Phase One Engagement Report.
AREA COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETINGS
On January 22, 2025, the Area Council three subject-matter Committee had nmeetings to kick-off its preparation for and participation in the GMV/CR CSA Subarea Plan:
Transportation Committee (Plan Chapter: Transportation) — Attendees (9): Focal (& Chair): Susan Harvey; Members: Mike Birdsall, Warren Iverson; Other: Hendrick Haynes; EPCA Members (Guests): Tim O’Brien, Pat Traub; KC Subarea Team Leads: Kaelene Nobis and Susan McLain; Coordinator: Peter Rimbos
Environment Committee (Plan Chapters: Environment; Parks & Open Space) — Attendees (12): Focal (& Chair): LarKen Buchanan; Members: Sue Neuner, Susan Harvey, Hendrick Haynes, and Warren Iverson; Associate Members: [none in attendance]; Other: Steve Hiester; EPCA Members (Guests): Tim O’Brien, Pat Traub; KC Subarea Team Leads: Kaitlin Harris, Katharine Shaffer, and Susan McLain; Coordinator: Peter Rimbos
Growth Management Committee (Plan Chapters: Land-Use; Services & Utilities) — Attendees (10): Focal (& Vice-Chair): Luke Hansen; Members: Hendrick Haynes, Steve Hiester, Warren Iverson; Associate Members: Michael Brathovde; EPCA Members (Guests): Tim O’Brien, Pat Traub; KC Subarea Team Leads: Katharine Shaffer and Susan McLain; Coordinator: Peter Rimbos (as Chair of this Committee, he also participated as a member)
All three committees discussed both general and specific issues, solutions, policies, etc. to be considered as the Plan takes shape, as well as fit within Committee Mission Statements:
Transportation Committee: Investigate the area’s transportation issues and offer potential solutions by working with government agencies and community organizations to ensure the Rural Area stays rural.
Environment Committee: Study environment, regional parks, historic landmarks, natural habitats, water quality, flood control and surface water management, wastewater, and solid waste.
Growth Management Committee: Seek to ensure the State Growth Management Act and all plans derived therefrom preserve the quality of life of Rural Area residents by monitoring potential code, policy, and land-use changes while engaging with policymakers.
As the
Plan develops, each GMVUAC
Committee will strive to meet its motto:
“Working to Keep the Rural Area Rural” and work with our Guiding Principles (
http://gmvuac.org/guiding-principles/) to ensure the following key policies, which all flow from the State’s Growth Management Act, are adhered to:
Puget Sound Regional Council VISION 2050 Multi-County Planning Policies
(VISION 2050 applies to the four-county region: King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Kitsap)
RGS 13 “… avoid … conversion of rural land into commercial uses;”
RGS 14 “Manage and reduce rural growth rates over time …;”
DP-37 “Ensure … development … is rural in character;
PS-5 “Do not provide urban services in rural areas.”
King County Countywide Planning Policies CPPs)
(The CPPs apply to all of King County)
DP-46 “… Growth levels should not create pressure for conversion of nearby Rural or Natural Resource lands;”
DP-47 “Limit growth in the Rural Area to prevent sprawl and the overburdening of rural services…;”
DP-52 “… limit new nonresidential uses located in the Rural Area to those … demonstrated to serve the Rural Area.”
These committee meetings are but the beginning on a more intense involvement in helping in preparation of the Plan. Subarea Plans are meant to express what the people’s need are and how they can be met or what would need to be put in place to meet them in part or in full in the future.
Also, for the KC GMV/CR CSA Subarea Plan website, please see: GMV/CR CSA Subarea Plan.
