Summary

Second attempt to form new city in southeast King County

Story

Consistent with County policy calling for the annexation or incorporation of urban unincorporated areas, the Metropolitan King County Council at its July 27 meeting placed a measure on the November general election ballot giving residents of the unincorporated community of Fairwood in southeast King County the choice of being incorporated as a non-charter code city.

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 November 2007, the Director of King County Records, Elections and Licensing Services verified the signatures on a petition of registered voters seeking to place on the ballot the proposal for Fairwood to become an incorporated city with a council/manager form of government. The King County Boundary Review Board approved the city’s incorporation proposal on June 18.

The proposed new city is home to approximately 36,000 residents. The boundaries of the proposed city roughly bounded by the Renton-Maple Valley Highway (SR-169) to the north, Renton city limits and 128th Ave to the west, and SE 208th and Lake Youngs to the south.

This would be the second attempt for residents living within to community to become an incorporated city. In the September 2006 primary election, a proposed incorporation measure was defeated.

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

Read more about this legislation on the King County Council’s LEGISEARCH system at https://mkcclegisearch.kingcounty.gov  and type in “2009-0416”