County Council places Finn Hill, Kingsgate and North Juanita annexation vote on November ballot

July 27, 2009

Summary

Residents to decide whether to become part of city of Kirkland

Story

Consistent with County policy calling for the annexation of urban unincorporated areas, the Metropolitan King County Council today placed a measure on the November general election ballot giving residents of the unincorporated communities of Finn Hill, Kingsgate and North Juanita the choice of annexation into the city of Kirkland.

“I have always believed in the rights of citizens to make decisions about their form of local government,” said Councilmember Jane Hague, who represents the area. “We will now watch eagerly to see what the voters decide.”

The state Growth Management Act calls for cities to be the provider of local government services to urban areas, with counties focusing on services to the entire region as well as local services to the rural unincorporated areas.

In April, the Kirkland City Council adopted a resolution authorizing the annexation of the three communities in the city. The Boundary Review Board for King County approved the city’s annexation proposal on July 9.

The proposed annexation area is between Northeast 132nd Street and Northeast 145th and is home to approximately 32,000 residents. The 19,730 registered voters in the three communities will be eligible to vote on whether they want to join Kirkland.

Residents unsure whether their homes lie in the potential annexation area can use the map and search tool on the King County Annexation Initiative Web site.  The Web site provides additional information on the annexation process, links to city service and tax information, and details on what services would change or remain the same should annexation occur.  

Read the legislation