Maple Valley officials fear burst of growth

Maple Valley Mayor Laure Iddings says King County's plan to sell its Donut Hole property is a "manipulated" deal that's moving too fast for the city.

The deal, which would allow YarrowBay Group to build thousands of new homes, could increase Maple Valley's population by 30 percent, but town leaders say they haven't had much say in the proposed development.

Although the Donut Hole lies in the middle of Maple Valley, the land is unincorporated, so the county controls what can be developed there.

Maple Valley's rural roads already are clogged with daily commuters who work in neighboring cities. Classrooms are filled with children from young families who flocked to the area for its relatively inexpensive houses.

City Manager Anthony Hemstad said Maple Valley should be allowed to annex the Donut Hole before it is sold. That way, the city could collect construction taxes and fees to pay for roads and other improvements needed to handle the growth.

King County and YarrowBay officials say they've met with Maple Valley officials many times and have been willing to listen.

"This is not something that's happening quietly, behind closed doors with no public input," said Rod Brandon, an aide to King County Executive Ron Sims.

Brian Ross, YarrowBay's managing partner, said Maple Valley would be better off cooperating to shape a quality development instead of fighting to spike the deal.

"I think they're really missing the point, when what they should be talking about is what they do want to have down there," Ross said.

Martin Durkan Jr., the lobbyist who helped draw up the deal and lives in Maple Valley, says much of the opposition stems from an irrational fear that apartment dwellers aren't as rooted in the community.

Maple Valley has allowed few apartment buildings since it incorporated 10 years ago.

"It's been a methodical planning method by the city not to allow affordable housing," Durkan said.

YarrowBay's pending deal with King County has included vaguely worded promises to create "affordable housing" — a phrase some Maple Valley residents have taken to mean subsidized apartments.

At a recent "emergency" town meeting about the Donut Hole, Maple Valley resident Maria Van Zanen said the city lacks support services, jobs and public transportation to serve an influx of low-income residents.

"I just know that the families I work with wouldn't make it here, they would hate it," said Van Zanen, who works with refugee families at Kent's Springwood public-housing complex.

Councilwoman Linda Johnson said her town already has accepted more than its share of population required under the state's Growth Management Act.

But the town has tried to retain some of its rural roots by favoring houses over apartments, because "homeowners are invested in the community," Johnson said.

News researcher David Turim contributed to this report.