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 *
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 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 Community Council
The Joint Team has collaborated on the following major regional tasks:
DOC Proposed Changes to GMA WACs
PSRC Regional Transportation Plan
PSRC VISION 2050
CPP 2021 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.
Drop us a line
Ask a question or express your interest:
GMVUAC
PO Box 111
Maple Valley WA 98038
Announcements
Monthly Meetings
On Monday, April 1, 2024, the Area Council will hold its regular monthly meeting from 7 – 9:30 PM at the Maple Valley Fire Station at 22225 SE 231st St (across from the KC Sheriff’s Precinct). 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, March 4, 2024, the Area Council held its regular monthly meeting. Major topics discussed were: (1) 2024 King County Comprehensive Plan Update; (2) Letter to King County Executive; (3) Reserve Silica; and (4) Proposed Segale Mine and Asphalt Plant.. For an article summarizing the meeting please click on “* 3/24— Letter to KC Executive” in the 2024/2023 GMVUAC Monthly Meeting Articles box or go to the “Correspondence” drop-down menu and click on “Monthly Articles” and select “2024.”
2024 KCCP Major Update
The Joint Team (ten Rural Area Unincorporated Area Councils / Unincorporated Area Associations / Organizations, coordinated by the Area Council) continues to actively participate in the Update.
The Joint Team reviewed all Chapters, Appendices, Reports, etc. in the King County Executive’s Recommended Plan (ERP) submitted to the King County Council on December 7, 2023 and prepared Detailed Comments submitted to the LS&L-U Committee on February 6, 2024.
On January 30, 2024, the Joint Team submitted to King County Comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Update.
Starting January 17, 2024, the King County Council’s Local Services & Land-Use (LS&L-U) Committee (the Council’s designated responsible entity for the Update) commenced Public Briefings on the ERP). There are nine daytime briefings (9:30 AM and hybrid) and five evening meetings at various sites throughout the County (on February 8, 6:30 PM, one was held at the City of Covington Council Chambers). Each Briefing is devoted to different parts of the Update (see the LS&L-U Committee’s Briefing Schedule). The Joint Team has testified at most of these Briefings.
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).
Reserve Silica
On October 8, 2023, the Area Council submitted a Letter to the KC Dept. of Local Services, Permitting Div., requesting specific actions be taken regarding the unpermitted dumping of contaminate fill on the Reserve Silica site in Ravensdale. On October 18, 2023, the Area Council submitted a followup letter to the KC Council providing a detailed history of Reserve Silica and its site in Ravensdale.
News
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.”
Asphalt Facility
On April 14, 2022, the King County Department of Local Services–Permitting Division approved Lakeside Industry’s development and shoreline permits (see: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/local-services/permits/public-notices.aspx). Members of the Public have submitted a Land-Use Petition to Superior Court arguing against this decision calling for either preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement or additional mitigation to address the environmental impacts.
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.
Cedar Hills Regional Landfill
On March 22, 2022, the King County Dept. of Natural Resources–Solid Waste Division issued a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) on its Cedar Hills Regional Landfill 2020 Site Development Plan and Facilities Relocation. The FEIS includes changes to the September 2020 Draft EIS (DEIS) based on new information learned, and comments received, as well as responses to comments submitted on the draft EIS. As part of State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) requirements, the Final EIS contains a Responsiveness Summary (Appendix M), which provides the public with responses from the Solid Waste Division to all the questions and comments that were received during the public comment period for the Draft EIS. Please visit the project website to review the FEIS documents.
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 efforts with other King County Rural Area UACs, UAAs, and Organizations (see “Joint Team of Rural Area Organizations” 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:
2024/2023 GMVUAC Monthly Meeting Articles
* 4/1--Local Subarea Plan
* 3/4--Letter To KC Executive
* 2/5--Comments on KCCP Update
* 1/15--TSD 2024 Levies
* 12/4--CHRLF Emissions
* 11/23--Code Enforcement
* 10/23--Reserve Silica
* 9/23--25th Annual Train Show
* 8/23--Glamping Permit Comments
* 7/23--KCCP Update
* 6/23--KCCP Update
* 5/23--Fire District Facility Plans
* 4/23--Ravensdale Comm Issues
* 3/23--KC Flood Mgmt Plan
* 2/23--KC Solid Waste & Recycling
* 1/23--Subarea Planning
2021 GMVUAC Survey
