Auburn likely to grow by 15,000

Auburn could expect an additional 15,000 people through two annexation measures that were winning Tuesday night.

But a proposal to annex an area to Federal Way was failing.

Voters in Lea Hill and West Hill, both in unincorporated King County, were approving proposals to become part of Auburn, while those in unincorporated East Federal Way were rejecting a plan to join Federal Way.

The votes came a year after the Legislature approved a sales-tax sharing plan that would reimburse cities that annex areas of more than 10,000 people.

Auburn would receive $1.8 million for about 15,000 additional residents from Lea Hill and West Hill, increasing the total population to about 65,000. Lea Hill is south of the city of Kent, directly east of Auburn. The West Hill neighborhood lies between the northwest side of Auburn and 50th Lane South and Peasley Canyon Road.

Federal Way would have received about $2.8 million from the county to pay for services such as police, planning and road improvements if the annexation there was approved. The city would have grown by about 20,000 residents.

Some residents of the neighborhoods said they were concerned about becoming part of a city. Annexation opponents launched campaigns in all three areas.

But supporters of annexation say cities are better able to provide localized services and will improve long-range planning for the areas.

Karen Johnson: 253-234-8605 or karenjohnson@seattletimes.com