March 20, 2010

2 Comments

Round Three
Boundary Review Board Votes to Support Vote
for Fairwood Annexation into City of Renton

The proposed area considered for annexation into the City of Fairwood is essentially the same
as the area considered for incorporation.

After listening to testimonies from the City of Renton, King County, Fire District 37 and a fairly small group of individuals, the Boundary Review Board (BRB) unanimously supported the annexation of the Fairwood area into the City of Renton, which will send the issue to the voters this November.

The preliminary decision includes a slight change in boundaries and a directive to Renton to collaborate in the creation of an interlocal agreement with Fire Dist. 37.

Compared to previous passionate BRB hearings focused on incorporation, this hearing was subdued. A full crowd listened to public testimonies by the proponent City of Renton officials, a representative from King County supporting annexation, and an attorney and Captain Larry Rabel representing concerns of Fire District 37.

City of Renton Presentation
The City of Renton provided a Powerpoint presentation by Asst. Chief Administrative Officer Marty Wine, Community and Economic Development Administrator Alex Pietsch and Associate Planner Angie Mathias. The presentation reviewed the history of initiatives in the area, highlighted what remains the same and what changes occur with annexation, and a review of how the annexation satisfies applicable criteria the Board must consider for annexation.

With the annexation of the Fairwood area the following impacts were reviewed:

Land Use. Because the Fairwood area would be a part of the City of Renton, the higher density requirements would move to the downtown area of Renton. Representatives said that the City is in support of single family housing in areas such as Fairwood, so the density requirements that would have been necessary as an incorporated City of Fairwood can be easily addressed by the Renton downtown core area. Officials reiterated a message of retaining the "bedroom" neighborhood the Fairwood area currently possesses.

Emergency Services/Safety. Fire District 40 would be absorbed into the Renton Fire District, and King County Police would be replaced by Renton Police services.

An issue overlooked was that part of the proposed annexation area is also serviced by Fire District 37 (see map below). Renton representatives noted that talks had begun with FD 37, and all were moving forward in good faith. The service area in question is closer to Fire District 37's Station 77, and better response times can be provided than a Renton FD station.

Renton representatives noted that Fire Service would continue to remain the same as what is currently provided for the rest of the area and police services would increase compared to what the area is currently receiving from King County.

Water/Sewer Districts. Current local utilities would continue to be serviced by Soos Creek and Cedar River Water and Sewer Districts.

Libraries. Because the recent annexation of the Renton Library System into the King County Library System (KCLS), the Fairwood Library would continue to be serviced by KCLS.

Parks. Renton discussed Petrovitsky Park with King County, and the County is interested in continuing its oversight over this park, acceptable to the City of Renton.

School Districts. School Districts would continue to serve their current areas and are not regulated by an annexation.

The above map circled in red is the area currently serviced by Fire District 37 and could be
absorbed into the City of Renton's Fire District if an annexation passes.

King County Presentation
King County's presentation was in support of annexation, but they requested that the BRB amend the proposed boundary to include the Soos Creek Trail and Park area north of SE 208th Street.

King County is requesting that the City of Kent annex the Soos Creek Trail and Park south of SE 208th, filling in the final gap.

King County expressed interest in continuing to maintain the area, but with these two moves in adjusting the PAAs, the criteria the BRB is tasked to uphold avoids creating unincorporated "islands" of land.

During Board deliberation, the BRB finally agreed that the proposed area be amended to include King County's recommended area of the Soos Creek Trail and Park.

Fire District 37
Fire District 37 representatives made a presentation, concerned that with the annexation, part of the area currently serviced by District 37 would result in slower service and cause a negative financial impact on its district.

According to District 37, the revenue loss would amount to over $373,000, which translates into a reduction of staff by 4.3 fire fighters. Currently, Fire District 37 employs 31 fire fighters, so this reduction would have a significant impact on the whole District, according to the speakers.

Having been surprised by the announcement of BRB hearings, FD District 37 had not had prior discussions with the City of Renton. Conversely, the City of Renton did not communicate with FD 37 prior to the announcement.

Initially, the FD 37 attorney asked that the area currently serviced by Fire District 37 be removed from the proposed annexation area. During the question period, however, City of Renton Representatives went on record that they felt it was in the best interest of the community to work out an interlocal agreement with Fire District 37, just as Fire District 40 had previously done.

This point was also reiterated during the BRB's deliberation period and was noted on record in an attempt to publicly reinforce that the City of Renton will complete this work in good faith.

Individual Comments
Just nine individuals provided comments during this period of the hearing. Those that supported the move to vote for annexation included comments about increased police presence, removing the need for HOA funds to purchase additional security.

A Fairwood station fire fighter and a local resident wanted to publicly clarify that Renton Fire Fighters adhere to State Law regarding number of staff who stay outside and those who enter homes, and he also noted that the aid car currently located at the Fairwood Station would remain at that location.

Those in opposition offered questions including a need for proper representation on the Renton City Council so the area wouldn't be overlooked.

Another concern was how the City running at a deficit could make sense of an annexation effort. Annexing the Fairwood area would result in an additional deficit of over $2 million until 2012, according to City of Renton officials, so the reasoning for this effort was questioned by a citizen.

City of Renton Rebuttal
During rebuttal, the City Representatives answered each of the concerns presented during the testimonies.

• Officials again reiterated their intention to develop an interlocal agreement with Fire District 37 in the next few weeks
• Officials noted that it was the City's intention to be inclusive to all its communities
• Officials intended to maintain the same level of Fire Service to the area, including keeping the aid car at the Fairwood station
• Petrovitsky Park will remain under King County jurisdiction
• Budget Deficit - the State mandates cities must have a balanced budget, so the negative revenue Fairwood would create would need to be absorbed
• Even though the tax structure will change, the tax total for residents will remain fairly level with what the area currently experiences. The City has posted a tax calculator online to compare taxes between the City and King County. It is assumed that when published the King County Library System annexation hadn't been approved. Citizens must add King County Library taxes back into the totals for the City for a more accurate comparison. To use the calculator, CLICK HERE.

Next Steps
With the motion unanimously passing, the next step is to make a final decision at the BRB's next meeting, scheduled for April 8. If the BRB approves the final decision, the decision will be formally filed with the State. At that time, an appeal can be made within 30 days of the filing.

If no appeals are filed, the annexation decision will be placed in the voters hands, currently scheduled for the November 2, 2010 election.