GMV/CR CSA Subarea Plan

Updated January 23, 2026

INTRODUCTION

The GMV/CR CSA Subarea Plan (supersedes the former Tahoma-Raven Heights Area Plan). Work on the plan started in the fall of 2024 and is expoected to be complete by the end of 2026. The subarea plan focusses on locally specific policies that address long-range community vision over the next 20 years. Scope is 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. The Area Council territory makes up most of the GMV/CR CSA, so this will be the Subarea Plan for our local area.

Efforts 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

GOVERNING POLICIES

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.”

SCHEDULE

King County (KC) Project Planning—Spring/Summer 2024

Public Kick-Off—Fall 2024

Preliminary Plan—Winter 2026 (there will be a Community Virtual Meeting and a 30-day Public Comment Period)

Draft Plan—Summer 2026 (there will be a 30-day Public Comment Period)

Plan Transmittal to KC Council—December 2026

KC Council Review and Approval—Early 2027 (this will include Public Hearings)

Adoption as Part of the KC Comprehenive Plan (KCCP)—2027 KCCP Annual Update

KICK-OFF

The GMV/CR CSA Subarea Plan kicked off with an Open House on September 26, 2024. Here is a Summary of the Open House. In December 2024 a Scoping Phase One Engagement Report was released. In October 2024 an Existing Conditions Report was developed by KC Subarea Planners. Early on in the development of the GMV/CR CSA Subarea Plan a KC Interdepartmental Development Team (IDT) was assembled to assist KC Subarea Planners and the community: IDT Members.

AREA COUNCIL INVOLVEMENT

In February 2026 the Area Council’s subject-matter Committees plan to hold meetings to conduct line-by-line reviews of each Chapter of the Preliminary Plan as follows: Growth Management Committee—Land-Use & Zoning and Services & Utilities.; Environment Committee—Environment and Parks, Open Space, & Cultural Resources; Transportation Committee—Transportation; and Economic Committee—Economic Development and Housing & Human Services. The Public is invited to participate in these meetings, dates and times TBD, based on when the Preliminary Plan is released for Public review.

On January 22, 2025, the Area Council three subject-matter Committee held meetings 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; and 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.

VISIT THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SITE:  PublicInput: Greater Maple Valley/Cedar River Subarea Plan

 

 

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: