Black Diamond wants to keep natural look

Black Diamond is surrounded by green, with natural treasures — trees, crystal-clear waterways and the Green River Gorge — that can't be found in big cities.

As transitions from a small rural community to one three times its size, city leaders have decided that it will remain green.

If the City Council lets a 12-year building moratorium expire at the end of March, as expected, the city's population could triple.

Several planned residential developments, starting with two from Kirkland-based developer YarrowBay Group, would bring in thousands of residents.

Any new developments would have to include large sections of open space, said Andrew Williamson, a lifelong resident and former city councilman who recently became the city's economic-development director.

The vision is for the city to become a walkable community with a citywide trail system that links neighborhoods and schools.

"It's our town," Williamson said. "It's our vision."

City officials also vow to make building projects as sustainable as possible, new city administrator Gwendolyn Voelpel said.

"The city is so solid on its vision," Voelpel said. "The city has never wavered."

Black Diamond has had a building moratorium since 1996, barring development on large tracts of land.

Allowing the ban to expire would bring development that the city needs to survive, said Howard Botts, mayor for the past 24 years.

To handle the expected growth, City Hall is growing, too.

When longtime police chief and city administrator Rick Luther announced his retirement late last year, the city hired Voelpel.

Voelpel worked for 11 years as assistant to the Tacoma city manager and has been Black Diamond city administrator for three months.

The city needs to hire about six more people, mainly for the community-development department, Voelpel said.

Another sign of the changes, most city offices have moved from a court and a police building on Lawson Street to a string of new portables behind the library on Roberts Drive.

Jamey Kiblinger, the city's former police commander, has been named acting police chief.

Lauren Vane: 253-234-8604 or lvane@seattletimes.com