City still to consider area for annexation

The Seattle City Council voted Monday to continue considering the North Highline area for annexation.

The city will now lobby the state Legislature for a tax break to offset the cost of providing services to the unincorporated area and its 31,000 residents. Seattle is not the only potential suitor for the area, which includes the White Center, Shorewood, Top Hat and Boulevard Park neighborhoods.

Burien and SeaTac also have expressed interest, and the three cities hope to set up a mediation process next month. If a proposal emerges from the nonbinding mediation, it would require a vote by the residents of the area to be annexed.

King County says it cannot afford to keep providing services, such as police coverage, to unincorporated urban areas.

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, who represented North Highline when he served on the Metropolitan King County Council, proposed the annexation.

"The mayor feels strongly that we would like to invite this community to join the city of Seattle because we do have services that could help the diverse neighborhood really thrive," said Marty McOmber, spokesman for the mayor.

The City Council approved Nickels' proposal to designate the potential annexation area last December. In revising the city's comprehensive plan this year, the council's land-use committee proposed removing the area from the plan. That committee recommendation was rejected Monday 5-3. Council members Peter Steinbrueck, Jan Drago and Tom Rasmussen cast the no votes. Councilmember Richard McIver was absent.

Some on the council, such as Drago, were concerned about absorbing more residents when Seattle's resources already are stretched thin.

"I look back 100 years ago when we annexed Georgetown and South Park," Drago said. "They waited 100 years and now finally things are happening."

Conlin emphasized the vote is "not a commitment" and just allows more time to consider annexation.

Former Seattle Mayor Charles Royer testified in support of keeping the potential annexation in the city's plan. "White Center is a diverse community and on its way up," he said. "I believe it's in the Seattle spirit to help the community, even if it's only to keep its options open."

The City Council also approved transferring White Center and Boulevard Park libraries from the King County Library System to Seattle on Monday, which would take effect if annexation to Seattle wins approval by 2015. The transfer includes $2 million to be spent on capital or operating costs for the two libraries.

Sharon Pian Chan: 206-464-2958 or schan@seattletimes.com