Mar
15
6:00 pm

Our friends at the White Center Community Development Association alert us to an upcoming educational business seminar on small business tax, funding and financing on Monday, March 15th from 6pm – 8pm at Chase Bank (1616 SW 100th Street).

Here are the details:

WHAT: Educational seminar on small business tax, funding and financing.

WHEN: Monday, March 15th from 6pm – 8pm.

WHERE: Chase Bank Meeting Room, located at 1616 SW 100th Street in White Center.

INFO: From a flier:

Do you own or think of owning a business in White Center? Do you have business tax-related questions?

Are you interested in finding out about funding/financing sources to start/operate your business?

Would you like to pick the brain of an expert in business development and a couple of CPAs?

You are invited to: AN EDUCATION SEMINAR ON SMALL BUSINESS TAX, FUNDING & FINANCING

Presented: Cornerstone Funding Company

Location:    Chase Bank – Meeting Room

Address:    1616 SW 100th Street

Date & Time: Monday, March 15 6pm – 8pm

RSVP is required by emailing Nhan Nguyen at nhan@wccda.org or call 206.694.1082 Ext. 166.


Mar
9
6:00 pm

King County Sheriff Sue Rahr, along with other public safety officials, will be giving a special presentation on Tuesday, March 9th from 6pm – 8pm at the South Park Community Center, just down the hill from White Center.

The purpose of this meeting is to address area safety issues, especially gang activity.

Sheriff Rahr will be joined by Jaime Mendez from Univision Seattle TV and La Voz de Washington radio, along with other local gang prevention specialists to talk to Latino families in the community about keeping their kids out of gangs. King County Deputy and Burien Police Officer Joe Gagliardi, a regional expert on gangs and gang activity, will give a visual presentation that will be simultaneously translated for the audience by Mendez.

Mendez, a local Latino radio and television news personality, is also the voice and face of a series of Spanish language radio and television commercials that the Sheriff’s Office has been running which identify the signs of gang involvement that families need to look for.

“We have to make an effort to talk to every community – and language and culture cannot be our excuse not to reach out and do something,” notes Sheriff Rahr.

The Sheriff’s Office E-911 Communications Center can answer many foreign language calls and refer callers to available translators who can help. The Latino community effort is made possible by federal gang prevention funding generated by Washington State congressional delegation members, including Senator Patty Murray and Congressman Jim McDermott. The Sheriff intends to expand this project to other communities where English is a second language for adults in the family home.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Sheriff Sue Rahr and other public safety officials will discuss gang activity in South Park.

WHEN: Tuesday, March 9th from 6pm – 8pm.

WHERE: South Park Community Center, located at 8319 8th Ave South.

INFO: From a press release:

Keep Your Family and Community Safe!

The King County Sheriff’s Office invites residents of South Park to an important event at the South Park Community Center. Gang activity is increasing and dangerous to your family, and especially to your children. Come to this special event to learn how to keep your kids from becoming involved in gangs. Meet police officers who are here to help your family in the community. Experts will be presenting information and knowledge about how gangs operate and what you can do to keep them away from your neighborhood.

Date: Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Location: South Park Community Center

King County Sheriff Sue Rahr and other public safety officials ask that you attend this special presentation to learn from experts on gangs and listen to answers to these questions:

  • How serious is the gang problem in South Park?
  • What can parents do to keep children away from the influence and pressure of gang involvement?
  • What are the signs that tell you when gangs are active in your community?
  • What can the residents of South Park do to help the Sheriff’s deputies to keep gangs out of their neighborhood?

The King County Sheriff understands your concerns about persons being asked to show documentation of their immigration status. This gang awareness and prevention event is only about keeping your family and community safe. No questions about personal identification will be asked of those who attend this special presentation. Your participation is essential to making this occasion successful, so these amenities will be provided at no cost:

  • Food and beverages
  • Games and care for small children.
  • Fun activities for teenagers.
Mar
16
7:00 pm

Artists who live in/near White Center, as well as those who “love” the greater/unincorporated area are invited to a Community Artist Meeting facilitated by White Center for the Arts on Tuesday, March 16th at 7pm at Proletariat Pizza, located at 9622-A 16th Ave SW (206-432-9765).

This meeting is intended for ALL artists, including those involved in music, dance, film, theater, visual, 3-D, photography, written, mixed media, new media, and more; including young, old, in-between, students, emerging, established and others.

Basically, if you live ’round these parts and love art of any kind, you’re invited!

Here are the details:

WHAT: Community Artist Meeting facilitated by White Center for the Arts.

WHEN: Tuesday, March 16th at 7:00 PM

WHERE: Proletariat Pizza, located at 9622-A 16th Ave SW, Seattle; (206) 432-9765

INFO: From an email:

Who is invited? Artists who live in and those who love the GREATER White Center Area/ Unincorporated King County, and a little bit outside that line. That means ALL artists. Music, dance, film, theatre, visual, 3-D, photography, written, mixed-media, young, old, in-between, student, emerging, established, etc.

What is this about? This is about continuing the conversation about art and it’s impact in White Center. About creating your opportunities. What do you want/need from your community in order to further your work/goals? What can you give to your community to help strengthen it? White Center for the Arts is opening the line of communication. This is not a formal, stuffy meeting, but the third meeting of many where your voice can be heard, where new connections can be created, and we can figure out how to best accommodate you, the artist, in our own neighborhood.

If you can, please RSVP so that we know how much pizza to order for you!

CONTACT: Shelli: crimsonpark@whitecenterforthearts.org.

by Mark Neuman

The gavel came down hard last night (Thursday, March 4) in a spirited meeting of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council.

The prospect of annexation with either Seattle or Burien focused the minds of the approximately 50 citizen attendees at the meeting, held at the headquarters station of the North Highline Fire District on SW 112th Street.

“You’ve had your chance to speak, and the public comment period is over,” council president Gregory Duff told one member of the audience as he hit the table twice with his gavel. That audience member at least three times tried to question invited speakers who were officially addressing the council.

Some attendees, almost all residents of North Highline, voiced dissatisfaction that the public comment portion of the meeting preceded the arrival of Kenny Pittman, Senior Policy Analyst for the City of Seattle.

Twenty citizens addressed the council during the comment period, all speaking about the annexation issue.

Fifteen spoke in favor of annexation with Seattle, three in favor of joining Burien, and two spoke in general terms without clearly stating a preference.

Barbara Dobkin favors annexation with Burien.

“I can call (King County Deputy Sheriff) Jeff Hancock on his cell phone, and he answers it,” Dobkin told the council. “There was a house fire a few doors down from me recently and the fire department was there in about two minutes. I see the high density of Seattle. I don’t want White Center to look like Delridge.”

Liz Giba, of a group called “People for Burien”, addressed the council.

“I would like to have an educated vote,” Giba said. “Seattle will focus on their affluent neighborhoods.”

The green portion of this map is the area of White Center that could be annexed by either Seattle or Burien.

Mercedes D’Antona has lived in White Center for about five years. She told the council:

“I get a little emotional about annexation. I am Hispanic. Seattle is a huge, humongous beast. Seattle has huge demand (on its services). We would not benefit. I like the laid back lifestyle we have here. I do not want to be suffocated.”

Brad Truesdell, a twelve-year resident of White Center said “Seattle is the best choice. They have three times the gang unit” than is currently available.

Truesdell, who envisions Ambaum Boulevard blossoming from time to time into a “multicultural open air mall,” said that White Center, once annexed with Seattle “could become the real International District of Seattle.”

Stephanie Dotson, who opposes annexation with Burien, told the council: “I have lived here forever. I find it extremely distressing that this council and audience have very few people of color.”

Mark Ufkes, who heads the White Center Homeowners Association, illustrated with placards that Seattle’s list of services to the public exceeds services provided by Burien.

“All we want is a chance to vote (on annexation),” Ufkes told the council.

One man who did not address the council was Gill Loring, a homeowner in White Center since 1998. He told The White Center Blog following the meeting that he favors annexation with Burien.

The newest member of the King County Council, Jan Drago, said at the meeting she will “not oppose” North Highline annexation. Drago recently completed four terms as a member of the Seattle City Council.

Pittman, of the City of Seattle, said North Highline District firefighters who might be temporarily displaced in the event of an annexation with Seattle would immediately go to the top of a re-hire list for firefighter jobs that open up at any fire station in Seattle.

King County Deputy Sheriff Jeff Hancock introduced nine members of the Sheriff’s gang unit. They reported that during 2009, the number of street gangs attempting to do business in and near North Highline was reduced from 21 to 15.

More information on the NHUAC is available at their website.

(Graphic courtesy North Highline Unincorporated Area Councils website)

Mar
8
3:30 pm

South Seattle’s Youth Summit planning is underway, with the next meeting set for Monday, March 8th from 3:30pm – 5:30pm at the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, located at 4408 Delridge Way SW in West Seattle.

According to a post on the White Center Community Development Association website:

Attention youth and students!

This year’s Youth Summit planning is underway, so if you’d like to get involved and/or if you’re looking for service learning hours, please contact estevan@youthmediaseattle.org.

Youth Media Institute and other youth organizations at Youngstown have been longtime partners and supporters of White Center CDA.

Last year, the youth summit was held in White Center, and this year it will include all of our South Seattle communities, so expect a larger event and even more fun!

REMINDER: The first in a series of public workshops for Sea-Tac Airport’s “Part 150 Noise Study” is scheduled for Wednesday night (Feb. 24th) at Mount Rainier High School in Des Moines beginning at 5:15pm.

So if you have something to say about airport noise, this would be the place to air your thoughts and hope that the Port of Seattle hears you.

Doors open at 5pm, with the program beginning at 5:15pm.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Public workshop for Sea-Tac Airport’s “Part 150 Noise Study” program

WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 24th beginning at 5:15pm.

WHERE: Mt. Rainier High School, located at 22450 19th Ave South in Des Moines.

INFO: From a press release:

Are you bothered by airport noise?

Do you have specific questions you’d like answered related to airport noise?

If the answer to either of these questions is yes, please consider attending the Part 150 workshop at Mount Rainier High School (22450 19th Avenue South Des Moines, WA) on Wednesday Feb 24 from 5 to 7 pm.

“Part 150″ is an FAA regulation that provides for airport operators, such as the Port of Seattle which owns and operates Seatac airport, to study ways of reducing airport noise. Part 150 studies are a two year process, with five or six workshops . The Feb 24 meeting is the kickoff for a new Part 150 study, the last Part 150 study wrapped up in 2001.

The “hope” of a Part 150 study is that the airport operator will then actually implement some of these ways of reducing noise. So how do we turn hope into reality? The answer is: citizen involvement and action.

At the first workshop on Feb 24, the Port and its consultant, Landrum and Brown, are committed to listening to citizen requests for what they would like to have included in the study.

So:

1. Please attend the workshop, and bring a neighbor too. (but if you can’t make this time, which is definitely inconvenient for many people, there’s an alternative below).

2. Please bring your questions in written form.

  • We anticipate the workshop will include small group breakouts of 15 to 25 minutes. The “facilitators” are not likely to have time for all questions.

So, it is really important to bring written questions. With your written questions:

  • Please include your name and mailing address
  • Please ask for a written response within 30 days
  • Please feel free to send a copy via email or mail to RCAA, the Regional Commission on Airport Affairs.

RCAA is funded by local governments as a resource for airport – related issues. RCAA is tracking the questions citizens are asking as a part of a project monitoring the Part 150 process. There have been times when questions asked of the Port did not get a satisfactory answer. If you put your questions in writing, cc them to RCAA, and send the responses to RCAA as well, there is a much higher chance no one’s questions will fall through the cracks.

RCAA can be reached by email at rcaanews@earthlink.net or by mail at:

19900 4th Ave SW
Normandy Park, WA 98166

=======

For more information about Part 150 and the workshops:

–The RCAA blog will have periodic updates. The web address is:

http://latestnewsonairportaffairs.blogspot.com/

It is linked to from the main RCAA web site, at www.rcaanews.org

Note RCAA will be posting some topic areas on the blog you may want to consider for your questions.

The Port of Seattle has a Part 150 web page. The address is:

http://www.airportsites.net/SEA-Part150/

Also remember the Port has a noise incident report form online, available here:

http://www.portseattle.org/about/contact/noisecomment.shtml

Read our previous coverage of this issue here.

Feb
9
7:00 pm

If you live in the Arroyo Beach neighborhood, you may want to attend a Seattle City Light community meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 9th from 7pm – 8pm at Arbor Heights Elementary School (3701 SW 104th) to talk about an upcoming project to rehabilitate underground electrical wiring in the area.

According to a press release:

“Over the years, the cables that were originally installed have formed cracks in the insulation and are failing at an increasing rate. A rehabilitation process that injects a silicone fluid into the cables will extend their life by 20 years or more.

Those homes in the Arroyo Beach area that will be directly affected by this work have been sent letters inviting them to the Feb. 9th meeting, though it is open to anyone interested. For more information, contact Mike Eagan at (206) 615-1691 or mike.eagan@seattle.gov.”

Feb
2
1:00 pm
Feb
9
1:00 pm

The Port of Seattle Commission released a draft of its memorandum of agreement (download PDF here) with the State of Washington Monday (Feb. 1st) detailing its contribution to the proposed bored tunnel project that would replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Public testimony and comment are being sought by the commission prior to their vote.

The memorandum spells out the port’s intent to make an investment in this program, which is not to exceed $300 million during construction of the Viaduct Replacement Program. The port’s contribution will be linked to improvements that promote freight mobility and access to port facilities. Freight, cruise, agriculture, daily commuters and neighborhoods depend on this vital traffic corridor every day, and the corridor is essential to our regional economy.

The port commission is asking for your input before they make a decision on the MOA. There are several ways in which you can comment over the next two weeks:

  • E-mail comments to Viaduct MOA Comments: viaduct@portseattle.org
  • Mail comments must be received by close of business Monday, February 8, to:

Viaduct MOA Comments
Attn: Christine Lee, Regional Transportation
PO Box 1209
Seattle, WA 98111

Public testimony can be provided at two upcoming Commission meetings:

  • Tuesday, Feb. 2nd, 1:00 p.m., (MOA item will come up around 2:30p.m.) at Aviation High School, 615 South 200th St. in Des Moines
  • Tuesday, Feb. 9th, 1:00 p.m., Port Headquarters, Pier 69, 2711 Alaskan Way in Seattle

The commission is expected to make a decision on the MOA, following public comments, at their February 9th meeting.

Dec ’09
5
9:30 am

The White Center Community Development Association is holding its “White Center Community Summit 2009″ on Saturday, Dec. 5th.

Here are the details:

WHAT: “White Center Community Summit 2009″

WHEN: Saturday, December 5, 2009, from 9:30am – 4:00pm

WHERE:  Mt. View Elementary, located at 10811 12th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98146

COST: Free Admission / Free Food / Free Childcare

INFO: Presented by the White Center Community Development Association

  • Translation and Interpretation in 9 different languages
  • Community workshops around Education, Housing, Safety, Health
  • Resource Fair featuring many community partners
  • Reveal of the White Center Neighborhood Plan
  • Electronic polling regarding the many topics that affect White Center and its residents
  • Diverse array of food (including Halal)
  • Diverse lineup of entertainment
  • Networking opportunities for services, employment
  • How to become a member of the White Center CDA
  • And much more!

For more information, please contact Virgil Domaoan at virgil@wccda.org.

For general inquiries and how you can volunteer for the Community Summit, call the White Center CDA at (206) 694-1082.

Aug ’09
24
7:00 pm

The special Burien City Council meeting on annexation is tonight (Monday, Aug. 24, at 7pm), with the goal of discussing “how in general to do this whole thing,” according to City Manager Mike Martin.

Residents in the newly-annexed southern North Highline area are invited to attend, along with those in Burien, to discuss what’s next for the new part of the city, and how best to “get there.”

“We plan on listening to that community to find out how their vision fits with that of our existing Burien residents,” Martin said. “There seems to be a strong feeling that something was torn apart when Burien incorporated in 1993 and this starts to put that back together again.”

The session will be at 7pm at the new Burien City Hall, which is located at 4th Avenue SW and SW 152nd Street in downtown Burien. To download a PDF of the agenda, click here.

Aug ’09
19
7:00 pm

Residents of the Highline area are invited to a community meeting about airport noise on Wednesday, Aug. 19th from 7pm to 8:30pm at the Des Moines City Hall. The meeting will be hosted by local legislators, including Senator Karen Keiser, and State Representatives Dave Upthegrove and Tina Orwall, along with Des Moines City Councilwoman Susan White.

Although the state Legislature does not oversee and has no jurisdiction over Sea-Tac Airport flight operations, the district’s elected officials are hosting this discussion to help inform residents of the decision-making process and provide an opportunity to ask questions and voice their concerns on issues from flight times to eligibility for noise mitigation projects.

Rep. Dave Upthegrove

Joining the legislators will be the Noise Programs Manager at Sea-Tac Airport, who will be on hand to present information and answer questions. The Noise Programs Office works closely with the Federal Aviation Administration, the airlines, and local communities to monitor existing noise programs and develop new ways of reducing airport and aircraft noise.

“As someone born and raised in the Highline area, I’ve experienced airplane noise first-hand,” said State Representative Dave Upthegrove (D – Des Moines), the meeting’s organizer. “Since operations have begun on the third runway, I have heard from many neighbors and Highline residents with questions and concerns about noise. This meeting will not only be an opportunity to learn more about flight operations and noise mitigation programs, but also get questions answered and share concerns.”

WHAT: Community meeting on airplane noise with state and local officials

WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 19th, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

WHERE: Des Moines City Hall Council Chambers, located at 21630 11th Avenue South, Suite B

Aug ’09
6
7:00 pm

The next meeting of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council will be this Thursday, August 6th at the North Highline Fire Station, located at 1243 SW 112, from 7pm to 9pm.

This will be the last meeting before the annexation vote on Aug. 18th, and here’s the scheduled agenda:

  • Mike Martin, Burien City Manager, will be there to give a quick last-minute update on the annexation.
  • Ed Marrs from White Water Aquatics will also be speaking to inform us about their proposal to take over the Evergreen Pool.
  • Jeff Hancock from the King County Sheriffs Department will let us know how the month was in White Center.
  • There will be a question and answer period afterward.

The public is cordially invited to attend the meeting and by all means get involved.

For more information, check out the NHUAC website here.

May ’09
16
10:00 am

State Senators Joe McDermott, Eileen Cody and Sharon Nelson will take questions and speak with area residents before taking part in the White Center Spring Clean up on Saturday, May 16th starting at the Jim Wiley Community Center.

The meeting is set for 10am, and the center is located at 9800 Eighth Avenue SW in White Center (map below).

“It certainly has been a difficult session where we were forced to make some very tough decisions. I think people have questions that they want answered, and this will be a great opportunity for that to happen,” Sen. Joe McDermott, D-West Seattle, said. “Knowing how our district feels will help us as we plan the future.”

“After 105 days away, it’s always good to come home and hear what our neighbors are thinking,” Rep. Eileen Cody, D-West Seattle, said. “We know our district well, but it’s always a good thing to learn more.”

The legislators plan to volunteer at the White Center Spring Clean Up following the town hall, from 8:30am to 2pm.

For more information call (206) 694-1082 or emailing info@wccda.org.

“We hope that people come to the event after they spend some time volunteering at the Spring Clean Up, or come with us after we’ve completed the town hall,” Rep. Sharon Nelson, D-Vashon Island, said. “This is combination of events of a terrific example of an engaged citizenry.


View Larger Map

Apr ’09
19
2:30 pm

Residents in the path of Sea-Tac Airport’s third runway, negatively affected by increased noise and toxic fumes, are meeting with attorneys on Sunday, April 19th to prepare a lawsuit against the Port of Seattle.

The meeting will be held at 2:30pm, Sunday at the SeaTac Community Center, located at 13735 24th Ave. South in SeaTac. Area homeowners are invited. Trial attorneys Michael Pfau and Darrell Cochran, known for a string of successful, high-profile verdicts and settlements, are partnering with Seattle personal-injury attorney Will Dixon.

Sunday’s meeting is a discussion of homeowners’ rights, and potential remedies available under the law. Concerned residents living near the third runway’s flight path first contacted and met with attorneys on Jan. 10th.

Sea-Tac Airport’s third runway went into use Nov. 20th, 2008. Originally, Port of Seattle officials stated in planning documents, such as the environmental impact statement, that the new $1 billion runway was needed to reduce delays during poor weather. But in recent public statements, port officials have said the third runway was always intended to be used at high-traffic times and 365 days a year.

Local homeowners believe the situation will only worsen as departing planes – not just incoming flights – use the new runway. Also, the port plans to shift more traffic to the third runway as it rebuilds the eastern runway.

There are at least two potential lawsuits that are likely to be filed by homeowners. The first, a class-action lawsuit, would focus on the legal principle of inverse condemnation. Basically, plaintiffs believe the fair-market value of their property has been diminished by government “takings” or damages – in this case, by the dramatic increase of planes flying the area for third runway take-offs and landings. Plaintiffs would seek to recover just compensation for damages based on measurably diminished property values.

The second case would be a nuisance or damages lawsuit representing individuals seeking compensation for personal injuries. Local homeowners say throughout the day, big commercial jets are flying over their homes, coating their lawns with jet fuel particles and leaving a wake of toxic fumes.

Michael Pfau and Darrell Cochran are partners at the law firm of Pfau, Cochran, Vertetis, Kosnoff. Pfau and Cochran have years experience in personal injury and class-action lawsuits. In February, Pfau and Cochran secured a $14.2 million settlement from the Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle and a New York-based Catholic order on behalf of two dozen men, who were sexually abused at a Kent orphanage, the Briscoe Memorial School, during the 1950s and 1960s. In 2007, Cochran secured a $13.5 million settlement on behalf of thousands of Washington state students affected by the abrupt closing of the now-defunct Business Computer Training Institute (BCTI).

Earlier this year, Cochran and Pfau left their longtime law office of Gordon Thomas Honeywell to open their own firm, with offices in Seattle and Tacoma.

Will Dixon is a seasoned lawyer with more than a decade of legal experience representing clients in numerous multi-million dollar cases in Washington state and federal courts. Dixon focuses on personal injury, wrongful death, and commercial litigation. Dixon also worked in Gordon Thomas Honeywell’s trial group with Pfau and Cochran before opening his open firm. (Dixon Law Firm, http://www.dixon-law.com)

The meeting will be held in the Banquet Room of the SeaTac Community Center, which is located at 13735 24th Ave South:


View Larger Map

Apr ’09
16
6:30 pm

Thursday, April 16th is shaping up to be a big day for the future of White Center – on that night, both the Boundary Review Board will vote on final approval of annexation, while the city of Burien will hold an Annexation Open House at Hilltop Elementary School.

Here are the details of Burien’s Open House:

WHAT: Annexation Informational Open House

WHEN: Thursday, April 16th from 6:30pm-8pm

WHERE: Hilltop Elementary School, located at 12250 24th Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98168

INFO: This will be an informational open house to provide information about what annexation will mean for the people within the proposed annexation area. Here’s a link to the city’s annexation page.

  • There will be a presentation followed by a Question and Answer session.
  • Refreshments will be provided.
  • Interpreter services can be arranged if requested 72 hours in advance.

CONTACT: (209) 436-5555 or email: annexation@burienwa.gov

COST: Free


View Larger Map

by Gina Bourdage

The Washington State Boundary Review Board for King County met for a Public Hearing Monday March 30th, to review the City of Burien’s efforts in annexation of the North Highline neighborhood. Board members heard public and officials representing public groups with interests in the community.

The Board gave preliminary approval of Burien’s proposed annexation. They will vote on final approval at their April 16th regular meeting.

“We don’t want to be forgotten. We would like to see the same attention,” said Karen Valloria, President of White Center Community Development Association. Valloria spoke in support of annexing to Burien and expressed concern for the lack of progress on Seattle’s attention to the Northern part of White Center.

North Highline Unincorporated Area Council member Ron Johnson expressed favor of the proposed neighborhoods to officially become part of Burien: “We are hoping that with a successful annexation they (Burien) will be able to come back for the rest of us.”

Fire Chief Scott Lavie spoke on behalf of the fire departments in support of Burien’s efforts reached through mediation.

Property owner Daryl Tappio was one of the dissenters, expressing his dislike of the lower zoning regulations in Burien – currently Seattle allows 48 residences where Burien would only allow 24. Burien City Manager Mike Martin later addressed Mr. Johnson’s concern confirming the regulation stating that future consideration for changing the regulation could be examined with expressed community interest.

Martin was able to present progress of the annexation, addressing the concerns of all whom spoke.

Many residents would have liked to have seen the entire North Highline area brought into Burien as a whole community.

“As a practical matter the current annexation proposal is a good idea,” Martin said. “Doubling the size of of a 15-year old community is too risky in my opinion. The economic reality is that annexing the entire North Highline area is not possible, at this time.”

In review of public and officials comments and concerns the review board moved to approve Burien’s efforts in annexation of the proposed North Highline area.

Voters in the proposed area will get to vote in August 2009. Should the annexation be approved, Burien would be welcoming 14,000 new residents in March 2010.

The fate of the remaining White Center area is still up for debate.

The next Annexation Informational Open House is scheduled for April 16th at Hilltop Elementary School. Click here for meeting details.

Residents in the Burien Proposed Annexation Area can expect to vote on this issue soon, likely on August 18th. You can download a Map of the Proposed Area here [PDF].

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