Four Creeks is working on a facelift for its web site that will probably continue through the rest of 2021, and possibly into early 2022. During testing, don’t be surprised if you end up on pages that have crazy page layouts and/or formatting.
Posted onDecember 31, 2018|Comments Off on King County conserves 109 acres in May Valley area
King County conserves 109 acres in the May Valley area
In December 2018, the Parks Division of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks purchased 109 acres of undeveloped, forested land adjacent to the SE corner of Cougar Mtn Regional Wildland Park, with the intent of conserving the land to enhance habitat, while allowing for low-impact recreational use (e.g. soft-surface trails).
109 acres conserved by King County
The contiguous open space across Cougar Mountain, Squak Mountain and Tiger Mountain, often referred to as the Issaquah Alps, provides habitat for a variety of wildlife species including cougar, black bear, bobcat and deer. The acquisition has high quality second growth Douglas fir forest that would be a valuable contribution of habitat values within this section of the park. More from the application for funding…
Starting in 1970, Washington State provides annual funding for conservation via the Conservation Futures Tax (CFT). King County used CFT funds for the purchase. More on CFT…
The King County Council made land conservation a priority in 2018 by allowing a larger percentage of CFT funding to be “pulled forward” in time (i.e. allowing future funding to be spent in earlier years). In the current market of rising land prices, being able to purchase properties earlier can be desirable. (See King County Land Conservation Initiative)
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Posted onNovember 13, 2018|Comments Off on King County Roads visit to Four Creeks
King County Roads visits the FCUAC Novenber 2018 meeting
King County Roads Strategic Plan (2014): The Strategic Plan includes a detailed discussion of the financial constraints faced by King County Road Services, their effect on our ability to maintain the road system, and the strategic priorities that guide our investment of Roads’ limited funds.
King County Roads 2016 Transportation Needs Report (2016): The TNR is a list of improvements to serve unincorporated King County’s transportation needs, projected to the year 2031. It is a component of the King County Comprehensive Plan.
Regional Transportation System Initiative (2017-2018): This partnership between the Sound Cities Association, King County cities, the Puget Sound Regional Council, the Washington State Department of Transportation, and King County identified the critical connecting roads that comprise the regional road network and their unmet maintenance, operations, and capital needs. The regionally significant roads include SE May Valley Rd, Issaquah-Hobart Rd SE, and SE 128th St. The final report and a large format regional road network map are at the link below.
24/7 Road Helpline: Call us for help with road maintenance and traffic safety issues in unincorporated King County, such as downed stop signs, signals that are out, or trees over the roadway — 24 hours a day. 206-477-8100, 1-800-527-6237 (toll-free), roads@kingcounty.gov.
My Commute: Online map featuring real-time traffic cameras from King County and other agencies like the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and travel alerts from King County, WSDOT and several neighboring cities. https://gismaps.kingcounty.gov/MyCommute/
Road Alerts Emails and Twitter: Sign up for emails and text messages about unincorporated King County road construction projects, significant weather-related road closures and natural disasters. kingcounty.gov/roadalert
Slides used by Roads at the November FCUAC meeting (PDF)
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Posted onSeptember 4, 2018|Comments Off on Utility Right-of-Way Franchise
In accordance with state law, a franchise approved by the King County Council is required in order to use County road rights-of-way for the construction and maintenance of waterworks, gas pipes, telephone, telegraph and electric lines, sewers, cable TV, petroleum product pipelines, and other such public and private utilities. Franchise Application – new, renewal, amendment, or transfer Franchise Application Instructions Franchise Application By order dated September 4, 2018, the King County Superior Court ruled that King County lacked authority to impose franchise compensation or rent as provided in Ordinance 18403. King County is appealing this ruling. While the case is on appeal, the Facilities Management Division (FMD) does not intend to take further action to negotiate or collect franchise compensation as described in the Compensation Notice and Estimate sent to utilities earlier in 2018. In the event the Superior Court’s ruling is overturned on appeal, FMD intends to resume action on the Compensation Notices and Estimates, and will notify utilities of the steps that will be taken at such time.
Related Information King County Code Chapter 6.27: Right-of-Way Franchises for Utilities King County Code Chapter 14.44: Utilities on County Rights-of-Way King County Code Chapter 4A.675: Real Estate Services Fees
Posted onMay 11, 2018|Comments Off on Regional Transportation Service Initiative (RTSI)
Regional Arterial Network (RAN)
In 1998-1999, King County proposed designating certain roads as part of a Regional Arterial Network, and then create a funding mechanism that included all jurisdictions. Roads like Issaquah-Hobart Rd would have been included. That mechanism was envisioned to more equitably fund road use, recognizing, city residents use the RAN but the cities make no contribution to its funding.
The proposal didn’t initially get enough traction to move forward, however, in 2016-2017, the Regional Transportation Services Initiative (RTSI) involving all jurisdictions in King County began.
As of early 2018, there was insufficient consensus amount leaders to move forward.
Broadcast in April, 2015, it does a good job of showing some of the causes of the rural road situation. In a sense, the proposal is similar to the RAN proposal, although the KUOW broadcast focuses on the creation of a funding district.
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Posted onApril 26, 2018|Comments Off on Regulation modernization for the region’s wineries, breweries, and distilleries
Executive Constantine proposed legislation that will modernize regulations to support the region’s wineries, breweries, and distilleries while protecting the environment and rural integrity of unincorporated King County.
Posted onFebruary 13, 2017|Comments Off on Winterbrook Action Committee
Winterbrook Action Committee
Winterbrook Action Committee: MeetingMonday Feb. 13th at Firestation 78 20720 SE May Valley Rd Issaquah, WA 98027. Meeting starts at 7 pm. Homeowners from Sunset Valley Farms who formed a group that is working to save Winterbrook Farm from Development. For more information email Chad at chadrichardson107@gmail.com or Jana at janahadley@msn.com
King County Comprehensive Plan 2019 update local meeting Tue July 16, 2019 from 6:00pm-8:00pm at the Maple Valley near the Cedar River more...
Notice of permit application File# GRDE19-0017 is a clearing/grading permit submitted by Cedar Grove Composting for critical area restoration. <a "https://www.kingcounty.gov/premits"> more...
Asphalt Plant along SR 167 near the Cedar River more...