Amid questions of fair play, accusations of manipulated policies and an unhappy City Council unafraid to make it's position known, King County has just backed away from it's decision to sell the 156 acre parcel, (which is entirely surrounded by property under the City's jurisdiction, hence the term "donut hole") to Yarrow Bay Developers in a sealed bid sale.  According to a recent article in the Seattle Times, the County will now open the sale to competing bids. This is something which should have happened when talks first began and it doesn't sit well that Ron Sims has moved forward with a "you can't tell me what to do" attitude for so long. But this is nothing new to those of us who live in Rural King County.  Any political decision, acquisition or sale which takes place "beneath the covers" will always be tainted with the possibility of foul play .Get it out in the open. Let the County taxpayers know exactly what their Council members are doing so it can be fairly and accurately debated. 

Although King County's recent decision doesn't specifically address the City of Maple Valley's concern about not having voice in the density or development requirements, it's finally a step in the right direction by King County

 

Colleen Fischesser is the Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Select Real Estate in Maple Valley. She has been successfully marketing and selling residential real estate in South King and North Pierce Counties since 1990, but specializes in the greater Maple Valley area.