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
2024 KCCP Major Update
On March 17, 2025, the Joint Rural Team (nine Rural Area Unincorporated Area Councils / Unincorporated Area Associations / Organizations, coordinated by the Area Council) submitted Comments on the King County Executive’s 2024 Proposed Update to the King County Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) and Best Available Science (BAS), October 2024, to the King County Council’s Local Services & Land-Use Committee. This is the final piece of the 2024 KCCP Major Ten-Year Update (it is being administratively handled by the King County Council an an annual update for 2025).
King County Audit–Code Enforcement
The King County Auditor’s Office (KCAO) was tasked by the KC Council to conduct an audit of code enforcement in the Department of Local Services-Permitting Division (DLS-P).
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.
King County Community Needs List Survey
King County Local Services is asking people who live in unincorporated areas (areas that lie outside city limits) what would make their communities better places to live.
News
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.
Annual Operating Model Train Show
** The GMVUAC held its 23rd Annual Operating Model Train Show on the the weekend of October 16-17 at the Gracie Hansen Community Center, 27132 SE Ravensdale Way, Ravensdale.
** Over 500 family members and friends attended-- THANK YOU!
John Henry Coal Mine
On July 1, 2021, Pacific Coast Coal Company (PCCC) agreed to a legal settlement with Puget Soundkeeper requiring permanent closure of the John Henry Number 1 Coal Mine.
Unincorporated Area Road Levy Lid Lift
King County Roads Division has proposed an Unincorporated Road Levy Lid Lift , since funding is not keeping pace, resulting in forecasted reduction in service levels and growing unmet-need Revenues. The existing Roads Levy can only increase at 1% per year (plus new construction). Gas tax proceeds are flat and expected to decline in the long term. Needed expenditures are many due to aging infrastructure; increasing operating and capital costs; and inflation. The 6-year levy lid lift as a short-term funding option that, if approved by the King County Council would go to unincorporated area voters this November.
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
2026
* 2/2--School Siting
* 1/5--Local Subarea Plan
2025
* 12/1--TSD Levies
* 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
For prior years see: Monthly Articles
2021 GMVUAC Survey
