Matt's blog

A group of residents southeast of Renton and north of Kent have again lost their bid to incorporate. The area is an “island” of unincorporated King County that contains about 25,000 residents.

A simple majority vote would have been sufficient to form a new city. As of the 4:19 PM count on November 4, only 44.74% of voters were in favor while 55.26 % were against.

An incorporation vote also failed three years ago by 270 votes. This time the measure is losing by 515 votes.

The City of Kent has proposed annexing the Panther Lake area, which is approximately five square miles in size.  This area has approximately 24,000 residents. 

This Annexation requires a simple majority vote. As of the 4:19 PM count on November 4, the “yes” votes were holding strong at 62.09%.

King County will continue to update results each week day at 4:30 PM. Click here for annexation results.

Due to the ongoing structural problems associated with the Howard Hanson Dam (discussed here, here, and here), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to release more water than usual into the Green River this winter.

Yesterday we reported on the Kirkland annexation vote, which would make Kirkland the second largest city on the eastside. The measure appeared to have passed, but not by a wide marign.

As of Wednesday's 4:19 PM vote count, the “yes” votes were holding at 62.09%.

King County will continue to update results each week day at 4:30 PM. Click here for annexation results.

Yesterday we reported on the City of Shoreline election results, which are apt to make a significant difference to future city planning decisions. The only close race was between incumbent Mayor Cindy Ryu and challenger Shari Tracey.

On Tuesday night Tracey had won 50.88% of the ballots cast, compared to 48.82 % for Ryu. In the 4:19 PM vote count on Wednesday Traci had advanced to 51.70 % of the ballots, compared to 48.04 % for Ryu.

(Pete Buck, chairman of the nonprofit board of Northwest Hub, will be contributing serendipitous observations from time to time. He has a tiny camera in the glove box of his car and an eye and ear for what is good in the world. Anyone with ideas for positive happenings, programs, things, etc., should contact him at pete@northwesthub.org.)

Several years ago the Fleets and Facilities Department of the City of Seattle surplused what apparently was a former substation site near 32nd Avenue NW and NW 65th Street. The battered sign shown here survived the ravages of the Ballard winters and has now led to a potential great use of the site.

(Pete Buck, chairman of the nonprofit board of Northwest Hub, will be contributing serendipitous observations from time to time. He has a tiny camera in the glove box of his car and an eye and ear for what is good in the world. Anyone with ideas for positive happenings, programs, things, etc., should contact him at pete@northwesthub.org.)

Yesterday the Seattle City Council voted 9-0 in favor of allowing detached allowing accessory dwelling units (aka “backyard cottages”) on eligible properties in all single family zones. These  backyard cottages cannot exceed 800 square feet in size (including garage and storage space) and will not be allowed on lots smaller than 4,000 square feet or lots that fall within shoreline jurisdiction. Additionally, backyard cottages will not be allowed on properties that already possess a basement or attic apartment.

Sound Transit will be hosting an East Link public workshop on Wednesday, Nov. 18 from 4 to 7 pm (with a presentation at 5 pm). They will be presenting the downtown Bellevue preferred route and stations, as well as the tunnel alternatives, and will take comments about how East Link can best serve you. The workshop will be held at Bellevue City Hall, 450 110th Ave.