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 *
PSRC Regional Transportation Plan
PSRC VISION 2050
2021 CPP Update
KCCP 2024 Major 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 Is. Comm Council UAC
The Joint team has collaborated on the following major regional tasks:
PSRC Regional Transportation Plan
PSRC VISION 2050
2021 CPP 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 on County-wide planning and policy issues.
Drop us a line
Ask a question or express your interest:
GMVUAC
PO Box 111
Maple Valley WA 98038
Announcements
January 2018 Meeting
The Area Council will hold its regular monthly meeting on Monday, January 8 (one week later than the first Monday because of the New Year’s Day holiday), from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM at the KCFD #43 Maple Valley Fire & Life Safety Station public conference room (22225 SE 231st Street, Maple Valley, WA 98038 — SE corner of intersection of SE 231st St & SR-169 (Renton-Maple Valley-Black Diamond Road SE)). Guest speakers are planned to be new Police Precinct Commander Major Daniel Pingrey, and Kevin Patterson and Rob Morrow of the Tahoma School District. Candidates for membership on the GMVUAC will be interviewed, elected, and sworn in; and new Officers for 2018 will be elected by the Council.
Area Council Membership or Participation
Your Area Council serves as an all-volunteer, locally recognized advisory body to King County on behalf of all rural unincorporated area residents living in the Tahoma School District.
The twelve-seat Area Council currently has two open seats. If you have an interest in joining please send an e-mail to: info@gmvuac.org or attend a monthly meeting and express your interest.
You can serve on any of the Area Council’s three major subject-matter Committees: Environment, Growth Management, or Transportation, as well as the Ad Hoc Economic, Public Relations, and Train Show Committees. You do not need to be an Area Council Member or live within the Tahoma School District. Again, if you have an interest in joining please send an e-mail to: info@gmvuac.org or attend a monthly meeting and express your interest.
The Area Council welcomes your participation.
Hot Off The Presses
** October 30, 2020 — The GMVUAC submitted its formal set of Comments on the Draft EIS for the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill Site development Plan. (see Current Issues box on Home page).
** October 12, 2020 — The GMVUAC submitted its formal Rebuttal to Lakeside Industries’ August 27, 2020, Responses to both Public and King County Comments on its proposed move of its Asphalt Facility from the City of Covington, inside the Urban Growth Area, to a site along the Cedar River, in the Rural Area (see Current Issues box on Home page).
** September 16, 2020 — the Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP) Solid Waste Division (SWD) released its draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill Site Development Plan (see: https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/dnrp/solid-waste/facilities/landfills/cedar-hills-development.aspx#project_documents). Alternatives are being considered to increase the length of time the landfill would accept garbage beyond 2028, which is when the landfill currently is estimated to reach capacity: Three Action Alternatives, that would extend the life of the landfill to approximately 2037, 2038, or 2046, as well as a No Action Alternative (2028).
** August 27, 2020 — Lakeside Industries submitted to KC Dept. of Local Services (DLS) its responses to the additional information requested by KC DLS and filed many new documents in support of its revised application for its proposed new Asphalt Facility (see Current Issues box on Home page).
** July 24, 2020 — KC Council finalized and approved the 2020 King County Comprehensive Plan (KCCP) 4-Yr Mid-Point Update (see Current Issues box on Home page, as well as KC Comprehensive Plan under the Planning drop-down menu).
** June 9, July 7, & July 21, 2020 — KC Council held Public Hearings on the 2020 King County Comprehensive Plan (KCCP) 4-Yr Mid-Point Update.
** May 26, 2020 — The WA State Growth Management Hearings Board (GMHB) invalidated the King County Adult Beverage Ordinance. See: GMHB Order.
WaDOE MTCA Site Cleanup Projects
** On this webpage is presented more detailed information regarding and relating to the two major MTCA Cleanup Projects in our Service Area: Reserve Silica and Landsburg Mine Sites.
News
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.
New KC Department of Local Services
** KC DLS is establishing an Advisory Committee to gather feedback about projects, priorities, and King County service levels. The committee is composed of community leaders from all nine unincorporated areas of King County and will provide an opportunity for community voices to be heard in DLS decisions and direction. The GMVUAC will have several members on the committee. The first meeting was held on February 11, 2020.
** KC DLS has published the 2019 Work Plans for the GMV-CR CSA.
** Partnership agreements signed between the DLS and four other County agencies/programs.
** View the slide show presented by DLS Director John Taylor at GMVUAC’s April 1, 2019, meeting.
** Danielle de Clercq appointed Deputy Director of the DLS.
** Mark Rowe named new Deputy Director for the Permitting Division.
Read More for further information and links.
Major Issues
Planning *
PSRC Regional Transportation Plan
PSRC VISION 2050
2021 CPP Update
KCCP 2024 Major 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
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:
2021/2022 GMVUAC Newspaper Articles
* 6/22--State Representative Visit
* 5/22--Rural Area Issues
* 4/22--KCCP
* 3/22--Fireworks Prohibition
* 2/22--Fossil Fuel Facility Permitting
* 1/22--Area Council Biennial Survey
* 12/21--KC Biennial Budget
* 11/21--Transportation Planning
* 10/21--Reserve Silica
* 9/21--Tahoma School District
* 8/21--Public Outreach
* 7/21--Search & Rescue Facilities
* 6/21--UA Rds Levy Lid Lift
* 5/21--County Planning Policies
* 4/21--KCCP Docket
* 3/21--Community Needs
* 2/21--Reserve Silica Cleanup
* 1/21--County Planning Policies