|
South Lake Sammamish Association
4314 193rd Ave. S.E. · Issaquah, WA 98027
www.issaquahweb.org/slsa
June 7, 2005
Boundary Review Board
Yesler Building,
Room 402
400 Yesler Way
Seattle, WA 98104
Dear Boundary Review Board Members,
The South Lake Sammamish Association represents 11 neighborhood groups in the South Lake Sammamish Area. This round-table group exists to discover and advance the common interests of the owners and residents of the 900 homes in the following neighborhoods: Greenwood Point, Lake West, Meadowbrook Point, Meerwood, Sammamish Beach Club, Sammamish Crown, Sammamish View, S.E. 42nd St., South Cove, Timberlake Lane and Weatherwood.
The group has recently passed its first ever resolution, which reads as follows.
"The South Lake Sammamish Association enthusiastically supports the Annexation of the Greenwood Point Potential Annexation Area to the City of Issaquah. Leading up to the election, our organization will work diligently to encourage voters to approve ballot measures relating to Annexation to Issaquah and the Acceptance of our fair share of the City's existing bond-related debt."
Representatives from area neighborhoods first met on April 4th, 2002 with the goal of researching and discovering the best of three options for our area's future: To remain unincorporated, to annex to Issaquah, or to annex to Bellevue.
Some facts quickly became clear:
1. The Growth Management Plan calls for all areas within the urban growth boundary to become part of a city by approximately 2012. King County would not be planning for the future of our neighborhood beyond that date.
2. Our area has been a potential annexation area of Issaquah since 1995 when the city's first comprehensive plan was developed. Issaquah's plan called for our annexation around 2010.
3. The City of Bellevue told us that our area was clearly outside Bellevue's "Sphere of Influence." A planned boundary between Issaquah and Bellevue was established per a 1979 agreement between the two cities. At that time, the boundary was set at Timberlake Park. However, in the mid 1990's a group of homeowners in the Timberlake Lane neighborhood petitioned to have the area between Timberlake Park and Sunset Elementary School removed from Bellevue's annexation plans to become an Issaquah annexation area. The petition was accepted by both cities. And so, the current boundaries of the proposed annexation area are a product not just an agreement between two cities, but of a concerted effort of citizens to ensure they could eventually become part of the City of Issaquah.
4. People who live in our area consider themselves Issaquah residents. Our address is in Issaquah, most of us shop in Issaquah, and many of us volunteer in Issaquah.
5. As part of the City, we could participate in the community more fully. For example, we could vote for candidates for city council and mayor, all without losing the ability to vote in King County races. Decisions about our neighborhoods would be made closer to home.
6. Police protection would be provided from the City of Issaquah police station rather than by the Maple Valley Sheriff's precinct. Quality and quantity of police protection would improve.
7. Property taxes and overall taxes would actually decrease, and those taxes would be more focused in support of our local Issaquah community.
8. An increased incorporated population would increase Issaquah's clout, and would likely qualify our area for increased state funds for transportation and other needed improvements.
With these facts in hand, representatives from the neighborhoods agreed that we should put together an information packet and survey to distribute door-to-door to each home in the annexation area. Of the approximately 1450 cards distributed, 475 cards were returned by mail, with these preferences expressed:
|
Annex to Issaquah soon |
393 votes |
83% |
|
Stay in unincorporated King County as long as possible |
30 votes |
6% |
|
Petition to become a Bellevue annexation area |
27 votes |
6% |
|
Need More Info |
25 votes |
5% |
A public meeting was held on October 8th, 2002 to discuss annexation with City officials. It was attended by 83 residents, and questions were fielded by the Issaquah City Council President, Issaquah Police Chief, Eastside Fire and Rescue Fire Chief, Issaquah Planning Director, and our King County Councilman. The survey cards were then finalized and provided to the City of Issaquah.
The City of Issaquah responded favorably by deciding to perform an Annexation Study, which was completed in early 2004. Annexation area residents Jim Balkman, David Bangs, Joan Probala, Gary Thede were pleased to be appointed by the mayor to be on the Citizen's Advisory Task Force which worked with the consultant in the development of that study.
The fact that the study had already been conducted put Issaquah in an excellent position to be the first city to respond to King County's offer to provide annexation incentives and bring this issue before this Boundary Review Board.
Bonded Indebtedness
We know from surveys and neighborhood discussions that the annexation measure will easily pass if proposed to area voters this November.
However, there will be voter confusion on the separate ballot measure regarding acceptance of bonded indebtedness. On the ballot, some people may make the assumption that they can choose to be annexed to the city of Issaquah without accepting a proportional share of the city's bond debt.
Our group will spend a considerable amount of effort explaining to residents why we should all vote Yes on this measure. We already benefit from the city's Community Center and Senior Center. We will soon benefit from Issaquah's timed traffic lights. And, if annexed, we will certainly benefit from the Police Station and City Hall building. We should help pay for them.
We understand that by accepting bonded indebtedness, we will pay the same property taxes paid by most Issaquah residents, and these taxes are lower than those we currently pay. It would not be fair to ask the city to annex our area if we are not willing to pay the same tax rates as other Issaquah residents.
Thanks
Finally, we'd like to thank the City of Issaquah for everything it has done to study the annexation of our area, and now, for moving forward with a proposal to put the issue on the ballot. We thank both the city and the boundary review board for inviting our participation in this process.
Sincerely,
David Bangs
4314 193rd Ave. S.E.
Issaquah, WA 98027
Secretary,
South Lake Sammamish Association
