White Center Now: The blog about White Center

(Reader photo: Fireworks debris in West Seattle, July 2018)

Are the days – and nights – of legal fireworks in unincorporated North Highline coming to an end?

The calls for a ban intensified after last year’s deadly fire. King County Council Vice Chair Joe McDermott says he supports a ban. This week he told us that he’s been working on the ban proposal with both the county permitting division and King County Executive Dow Constantine, and that he expects Constantine to send the proposal to the council next week.

Even if a ban passed quickly, though, state law requires a year before it could take effect, so there would be at least one more year of legal fireworks. When this all came up for discussion last September at a North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting, 34th District Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon talked about legislation to change that. Now, he’s introduced it – HB 2307, “to allow local governments to ban fireworks immediately” – and tells us it’s progressing in the House. Our area’s senior state Representative, Eileen Cody, is a co-sponsor. The Local Government Committee took action to advance it last Friday, two days after a hearing. Now it’s moved on to the Rules Committee for review.

To comment on that bill, you can go here. As for the proposed county ban, we’ll publish a followup when it’s introduced.

(Mysterious scooter sighting in West Seattle last October)

Last fall, there was plenty of buzz when the King County Council passed a plan for a scooter-sharing pilot in White Center – just a quick ride over the line from Seattle, which, unlike many big cities, hasn’t launched a scooter program yet. The plan at the time was to get it going around the first of the year. But here we are three weeks into 2020, and nothing yet. So we asked County Councilmember Joe McDermott, the scooter plan’s sponsor, what’s up, when we saw him tonight at a meeting we were covering for partner site West Seattle Blog. Answer: It’s still in the works – the county is getting ready to seek proposals from potential providers, and is now hoping to launch the program in a month or so. Whenever the scooters hit the street, McDermott vows he’ll be one of the first to ride!

Two more chances to talk about the North Highline Subarea Plan and where it’s going. From planner David Goodman:

This is a reminder that I will be holding field office hours (today), Thursday, January 23, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the White Center Library (1409 SW 107th Street, Seattle). Please stop by if you’d like to chat about anything related to the Subarea Plan. I’ll be in one of the meeting rooms toward the back of the building.

We hope you will also join us at the North Highline Subarea Plan Open House on Thursday, January 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the North Highline Fire District (1243 SW 112th Street, Seattle). Food and interpretation in Spanish, Vietnamese, and Khmer will be provided. Organized childcare will not be provided, but children are welcome to attend the event.

If you haven’t already, please fill out our survey about our latest Plan proposals. It’s available in English and Spanish. Summaries of our draft land use plan proposals are available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Khmer, and Somali on the right-hand side of the North Highline Subarea Plan website, along with lots of other information about the Subarea Plan.

King County is working on a 30-year Forest Plan, and wants to know your thoughts, especially here in an urban unincorporated area, so they asked us to publish a request for your participation in a survey:

Our spectacular forests store carbon, cool streams and provide recreational opportunities. As we work with communities to develop a 30-year plan to expand forest cover and improve forest health, we’re conducting a public survey.

What is most important to you? Should we prioritize the role of our forests in confronting climate change? Or planting trees to improve air quality? Or promoting healthy forests in King County Parks? Or enhancing wildlife habitat? Or something else?

What are the most important actions King County can take with partners over the next 30 years? Should we focus on improving the health of existing forests or preserving additional forestland? Should we plant trees in areas where there is lower tree cover or should we plant more trees near rivers and streams?

We invite you to take a few minutes to take the brief survey to share your ideas for how we ensure that future generations continue to benefit from healthy, vibrant forests: www.kingcounty.gov/forestplan

The work of mapping North Highline’s future via the Sub-Area Plan continues, and you have another chance to comment via a new survey, plus a chance for face-to-face Q&A. From King County’s point person David Goodman:

A reminder that I will be holding field office hours for the North Highline Subarea Plan tomorrow, Thursday, December 19, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the White Center Library (1409 SW 107th). Please stop by if you’d like to chat about anything related to the Subarea Plan.

I am also pleased to share that we have opened our Phase 2 Survey, which is available in English and Spanish. The survey asks questions about our draft land use proposals and features a visual guide with pictures of different types of residential, commercial, and mixed-use buildings. The survey will remain open through the end of January.

You can view the results of our first survey here.

Please visit the North Highline Subarea Plan website for more information.

Though it’s been at work for almost two months, the King County Conservation Corps got its official moment in the spotlight today, as a lineup of political and community leaders hosted a media briefing and cleanup event. Here’s our video of the entire 20-minute briefing, plus some Q&A:

Those speaking included King County Executive Dow Constantine, County Councilmember Joe McDermott, Natural Resources/Parks deputy director Lorraine Patterson, and White Center Community Development Association executive director Sili Savusa. The KCCC was explained as a five-member team that is out on cleanup patrol five days a week – four in White Center, one in Skyway, with other urban unincorporated areas to come. The county has authorized a six-month pilot program, currently set to run through April, at a cost of about $125,000. They’re partnering with the nonprofit Millionair Club to provide the workers, who are earning $18-$20 per hour. They had some extra help after the briefing:

After the briefing, we got some additional specifics about White Center. Right now, the crew is working on an area bounded by Roxbury and 100th, 14th and 17th. It could expand further south as time goes by. This is all under the umbrella of the semi-new Local Services department, whose director John Taylor was also part of the briefing. We asked Constantine during the briefing if the continued beefing-up of what LS provides means the county has given up on what used to be the insistence that WC would have to be part of a city someday; he said no, that’s still the long-range plan, but right now it’s in charge of providing services so they want to do the best they can.

Thursday’s your next chance to meet with David Goodman, who’s working on the North Highline Subarea Plan. His latest update:

I will be holding field office hours on Thursday, November 21 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the White Center Library (1409 SW 107th St). Please stop by if you’d like to chat about anything related to the Subarea Plan. I’ll be in one of the meeting rooms toward the back of the building – look for the guy with the maps! If you are unable to make it to the library at that time, I’d be happy to coordinate a meeting or call separately – my contact info is at the bottom of this e-mail.

My colleagues and I are currently refining our first draft proposals to share with the community during the next phase of public engagement, which we anticipate will begin in early December. We consider these proposals to be conversation starters rather than final products and look forward to receiving the community’s feedback and ideas.

The North Highline Subarea Plan survey, available in English and Spanish, will remain open through Thanksgiving.

Haven’t responded to that yet? Go here!

The announcement is from the King County Council:

King County renters will soon have a stronger voice with elected leaders and county departments. The King County Council on Wednesday approved an ordinance to establish a King County Renters’ Commission.

“As inequality grows in this region, it is the Council’s responsibility to ensure that renters’ rights are protected, and their voices are elevated,” said Councilmember Larry Gossett, who was the prime sponsor of the ordinance. “The King County Renters’ Commission gives renters the vehicle to strengthen their role in unifying their voices to create and advocate for policies that will benefit renters, especially those in the unincorporated areas of King County.”

The ordinance will set up a seven-member Renters’ Commission that would advise the council and the executive on issues and policies impacting renters in unincorporated King County. Councilmembers Larry Gossett and Jeanne Kohl-Welles sponsored the measure as part of a suite of legislation to bolster tenant protections and improve access to affordable housing, primarily in unincorporated areas of King County.

With nearly half of all households in King County renting their homes, rental issues are top of mind for many of the county’s 2 million residents. Additionally, 72% of African American households are renters, compared to 38% of white households, and renter households have significantly lower median household income than homeowners in King County.

“This commission will bring a much-needed fresh perspective to our policy making decisions regarding tenants’ rights and regulations that impact renters,” Kohl-Welles said. “As we move forward as a government and representative body of the people of this County, it is imperative that we continue to bring new voices to the table – especially those voices that have traditionally been left out of the process.”

The seven appointed members will represent a variety of backgrounds and perspectives including historically underrepresented groups.

Similar to the City of Seattle’s renters’ commission, established in 2017, the county Renters’ Commission will monitor enforcement of existing laws, look for opportunities to strengthen and improve those laws or advise creation of new ones. The group will also develop an annual report that includes recommendations on improving affordability with a focus on unincorporated parts of the county.

The council recently approved legislation that would create a strategy to develop and retain affordable housing in Skyway and White Center. A committee is still considering other actions that would clarify county code on when and how landlords can evict tenants as well as set up a pilot program to help low-income renters when they are displaced by rent hikes in Skyway and White Center.

Your next chance to get involved in planning our area’s future is this afternoon. David Goodman, who’s leading the county’s work on the North Highline Subarea Plan, sent this message:

Thank you to everyone who has engaged with us over the past few months about the North Highline Subarea Plan! Since we began this process in July we have attended over 20 meetings with community leaders and groups and received nearly 100 responses to our survey. We sincerely value your involvement and input in this process.

I will be holding office hours on Thursday, October 24 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the White Center Library (1409 SW 107th St). Please stop by if you’d like to chat about anything related to the Subarea Plan.

We are now moving into a new phase of the planning process. My colleagues and I will spend the next few weeks drafting an outline of the North Highline Subarea Plan that addresses the issues that the community has shared with us. Beginning in mid-November and running through the end of January, we will share that outline with the community and work together to ensure that the Plan is reflective of your values and vision for the future.

The North Highline Subarea Plan survey, available in English and Spanish, will remain open through the end of the month. This is a great opportunity to share your thoughts on your neighborhood and help direct our planning work.

Please visit the North Highline Subarea Plan website for more information.

News release from the King County Council:

A major renter protection and affordable housing package moved forward on Tuesday when a King County Council committee passed the first of four pieces of legislation.

“This package of legislation is a major step in the right direction to protect the most disenfranchised residents in King County,” said King County Councilmember Larry Gossett, who championed the package. “If this legislation is approved, King County can be a model throughout the country on protecting renters, enhancing affordable housing, and mitigating the impacts of gentrification on longtime residents and those in need of affordable housing.”

Brought forward by Gossett and co-sponsored by Councilmembers Jeanne Kohl-Welles and Joe McDermott, the first legislation – passed by the Health, Housing and Human Services Committee – will take aim at creating a strategy to develop and retain affordable housing in Skyway and White Center.

The program, to be developed by the executive’s office and then implemented by council, would create community land trusts in communities with the highest minority populations in King County. It would include mandatory or voluntary inclusionary zoning, maintaining affordability for people living at up to 50% of area median income in White Center and Skyway. In addition, it would give preference to local community members displaced by increasing rents the first option to move back into those communities.

Tuesday’s passage marks the first step toward implementing a major renter protection package. Gossett and Kohl-Welles have backed three more pieces of legislation that will work together to increase protections for renters across King County and build up new programs to reduce displacement in at-risk communities.

The measures include:

*Formation of a King County Renters’ Commission to advise officials on renter issues and possible measures to improve housing access and affordability.

*Revision of King County code to clarify when and how landlords can legally evict tenants through addition of just cause eviction definitions.

Creation of a pilot program to help low-income renters when they are displaced by rent hikes in Skyway and White Center. The program would be a five-year pilot that would help tenants displaced by rising rents relocate back to their community through rental assistance and increased protections for existing renters.
“On paper, our economy is thriving,” Kohl-Welles said. “But in reality, too many of our neighbors are struggling to get by and are being priced out of their homes. This suite of legislation will help increase affordability for and access to stable housing as well as increased representation for renters. Most important, it will help renters feel a sense of stability knowing they can’t be evicted without just cause.”

Tuesday’s approved motion will go before the full council at its Oct. 24 meeting, while the other three measures will undergo further discussion in the council’s Health, Housing and Human Services Committee.

Related to the survey we reported on Sunday, part of the North Highline Subarea Plan process – three upcoming chances to talk with county reps:

Business Focus Group 1 – Daytime Session
An opportunity for the business community to share their thoughts about commercial areas
Wednesday, September 25
11 AM to 1 PM
Miss Sheryl’s Ballet (9650 16th Ave SW)

Open Office Hours
Drop in to discuss anything related to land use in North Highline with King County planning staff
Thursday, September 26
1 PM to 5 PM
Steve Cox Park – Parks and Recreation Office (1205 SW 102nd Street)

Business Focus Group 2 – Evening Session
An opportunity for the business community to share their thoughts about commercial areas
Thursday, September 26
6 PM to 8 PM
New Location: Noble Barton (9635 16th Ave SW)

May not sound exciting, but if you want to help shape your neighborhood’s future, you should take a few minutes to answer this survey. It’s a relatively simple survey, asking your observations about your neighborhood rather than about planning specifics. The county website says it’ll be open through October, but why procrastinate!

The e-scooter-sharing pilot project proposed for White Center, noted here last week, went before the King County Council’s Mobility and Environment Committee today. The minutes show it won unanimous approval from the six councilmembers present. Read the full proposal here. Next step: Full council vote.

By Tracy Record
White Center Now editor

At last year’s King County “town hall” for North Highline, attendees heard about the then-impending Department of Local Services launch.

This year – the new department’s director John Taylor emceed the event, held last Thursday night at Seola Gardens.

We recorded it all – in two videos, first the presentation, then the Q&A:

Toplines:

King County Councilmember Joe McDermott‘s opening remarks highlighted:

*Council’s $315 million investment in children
*”Regional entity” to be created for responding to homelessness crisis – he believes it needs a more regional response
*Disappointed in Senior Centers being left out in levy funding – Vashon, West Seattle (as reported on our partner site WSB), SeaTac, Burien – from levy; he’s talking about it with executive branch
*Banning fireworks, as he discussed at this month’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting – mentions deadly fire last 4th of July
*Transportation – electric scooters pilot project (to be considered by a council committee this week) is “a real opportunity”

Next to speak, Elections Director Julie Wise
*Believes 85 percent of eligible voters are registered
*Reminds you that you’ll get ballot three weeks before election
*Lots of elections next year – presidential primary in March, regular primary in August, general in November
*”I believe my job is to remove barriers” and enthuses about postage-paid mail ballots plus 68 dropboxes

Then Rich Watson from Assessor’s Office
*Starting in 2020 new threshold for seniors’ property tax exemption – ceiling raised from $40K to $58K (65% of county median income). Intent of program “to keep seniors in their homes”
*Property values are flat – 5% or less
*Taxpayer Transparency Tool – also will show you how a ballot initiative will affect your property values

King County Sheriff’s Office Major Jesse Anderson followed
*He’s been precinct commander for 1 1/2 months
*The K1 sector had 1872 calls in the most recently tallid quarter
*Part 1 crimes – more violent + burglaries – 75 to 100 a month this year, up a bit from last year
*Auto Theft spiked in spring but then dropped
*VUCSA (drugs) – made quite a few arrests in summer
*Gang-related fairly flat
*Robberies flat
*Commercial burglaries up in August, detectives working hard on that
*5 to 15 residential burglaries a month

Then back to Taylor, who quickly noted that Local Services puts out quarterly reports. Also, it has field-office days at the KCSO office in White Center – 10 am-3 pm Thursdays. Taylor said it’s “important to be out talking to people.”

He also noted that the second community forum on the Sub-Area Plan is set for 6-8 pm September 23rd at Seola Gardens.

Next, Robert Burns from DNRP
*They want to add green space in White Center and throughout the fall will work with community members regarding where that should be and how it’s used.

Josh Baldi with Water and Surface Water Management
*They inspect facilities like stormwater ponds, businesses (140 or so per quarter), public outreach/education …they’ve long been monitoring Hicklin Lake and are seeing grants to help with that.

Katie Terry, acting Parks director, talks about the just-passed levy
*improvements at Dick Thurnau Park
*Growing/connecting open space – researching “a couple of” White Center properties
*Improving mobility through local trails – like, extend Green River Trail to meet up with Duwamish River trail
*More accessible – like fixing drainage at Steve Cox Park

Jim Chen, permitting
*2,400+ permits in first half of year
*MyBuildingPermit.com – expand online options – up to 52% of permits are handled online – once single-family permits are online, probably up to 70 percent
*Code Enforcement is one of their services
*Planning – June of 2020 is when they plam to deliver North Highline Subarea Plan
*This will set the stage for what can be built over the next 10-15 years

Road Services director
*1500 miles of road, 182 bridges, about 200 line staff who maintain that area
*They don’t see all the details so they need your help reporting it (here’s how)
*Very busy in WC – investing $400,000 in sidewalks, also improved striping, signs

Terry White from Metro
*He grew up in this area
*”Everybody deserves to move” – we don’t want to be like LA where you can’t move

Mark Ellerbrook of Housing, Homelessness, and Community Development
*White Center is an example of how city/county need to work together – positive feedback for Mary’s Place shelter
*WC Hub project (8th/108th), future vision for that site – “has a fair ways to go” – office, services, housing all in one spot – WCCDA, SWYFS, CHH – Probably a year away from applying for funding, another year for permit, so construction probably 3 years away
*Looking at microhousing demonstration project – what would it look like – in WC – ordinance due to council in December

From there, it was Q&A time. Some of the highlights (watch the video for everything):

Q: What about the floating islands in Hicklin Lake?
Baldi: They are legendary, were successful, felt good about the project.

Q: Why site microhousing in WC?
Ellerbrook: Lots of interest around it – what the county is doing is setting up zoning that would allow it to occur; a private developer would develop it. A 50-unit project is proposed (he stresses again they’re pushing for comments – council will consider demonstration ordinance). One rural project is proposed (Vashon), one urban (WC).

Comment: 4th SW is one lane feeding into Olson/Myers, everyone gets stuck behind someone turning left
Roads: It’s a KCHA project but come talk to us so we can get it investigated,

Q: What’s the 8th/102nd construction near WC Heights Elementary?
Roads: Sidewalks at each corner by the roundabout but no continued sidewalk on 8th. They tried for a grant, haven’t been successful yet.

Comment: The report earlier in the week on kids needing more play time seems counter to the White Center Hub taking away greenspace.

Comment: Trash pickup in WC has gotten better. Taylor says he used to work in solid waste, so that’s a big issue for him.

There was more discussion of the proposed microhousing.

Q: What is county doing to support Duwamish Tribe and get them recognition?

McDermott: We don’t have a formal relationship but he’s been doing land recognition at the County Council – regarding the Longhouse safety concerns, he’s written letters in support of grants, and wrote recently to the mayor,

Q: How does Elections verify names?
Wise: They keep a file of signatures. Even hers has been challenged. They challenge about 2% every election.

A comment led to some discussion about tax-exempt property. It was pointed out that only about 3% of the area’s parcels fall into that category.

Councilmember McDermott closed out the meeting by mentioning a few more things in progress – an anti-displacement measure, a Renters Commission, and more. The Town Hall was summed up as a “fantastic conversation.”

It’s one of the things mentioned by County Councilmember Joe McDermott at last night’s Town Hall (full report to come) – his proposal for a pilot scooter-sharing program in White Center (and the rest of unincorporated North Highline). The council’s Mobility and Environment Committee may vot on the proposal next Tuesday; it meets downtown at 1:30 pm September 17th. You can read the proposed ordinance by going here. If approved, it would clear the way for up to two companies to provide e-scooter sharing in the area for a year-long pilot program starting this fall.

Got questions? King County reps have answers. Tonight’s Town Hall Open House for North Highline is at 7 pm at Seola Gardens, as previously previewed here – you can also go as early as 6 pm and talk one-on-one with county reps.

It’s almost that time again – come talk with and hear from King County reps at the annual Unincorporated Area Town Hall Open House for North Highline. As the poster says, it’s set for 7-9 pm Thursday, September 12th, at the Seola Gardens community room (11215 5th Avenue SW). Doors will open at 6 so you can arrive early and talk with county reps one-on-one.

Just a reminder – 6 pm at Seola Gardens is the North Highline version of the King County Comprehensive Plan briefing and Q&A, as first noted here in early June. Even if you can’t go to the meeting, you’re still invited to comment on proposed changes – find out more here. The major WC-related amendment we’re seeing is one related to the planned affordable housing/nonprofit-organization “hub” project at 8th/108th.

(WCN photo)

1:14 PM: Earlier this afternoon, King County Executive Dow Constantine, County Councilmember Joe McDermott, White Center Community Development Association executive director Sili Savusa, and others gathered at WC Heights Park for a big announcement: The county and some of its cities plan to “vigorously accelerate the pace of land conservation over the next year,” proposing to invest $63 million in 61 open-space projects. One catch: Some of the money would come from the King County Parks levy renewal/expansion that’ll be on the August 6th ballot. We asked about any White Center-area specifics; the reply was that they’re working on something but not ready to discuss it publicly yet. We recorded the entire event on video and will add it when ready later. (Meantime, here’s the announcement on the county website.)

P.S. This follows up on two briefings at the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council in the past year – most recently in March.

ADDED 9:31 PM: Two videos – the announcement, and Q&A:

This came up at last night’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting (full report to come), and while nobody had the date handy, we found it online, so in case you’ve been wondering:

The 2020 Public Review Draft of potential amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and associated Development Regulations in the King County Code will be released on July 1, 2019. The following flyer summarizes the list of issues being considered.

Following release, King County is hosting five community meetings during the 30-day public comment period in July. At the meetings, you can learn more about the potential changes and have a chance to talk to staff about what they may mean for your area.

The White Center/North Highline meeting:

Thursday, July 25
6:00 to 8:00 pm
Seola Gardens Community Room
11215 5th Avenue SW