Seattle annexation for White Center? Council to consider it again

4:19 PM: Just spotted on the City Council’s Introduction/Referral Calendar – a proposal to ask White Center and the rest of unincorporated North Highline to vote on annexation to the City of Seattle. Documents accompanying the resolution say that it’s not likely the vote could be held before 2016, because of the Boundary Review Board process that would have to lead up to it. No date set yet for this to come before the council. The most recent attempt to annex the area was by Burien, rejected by voters in the potential annexation area two years ago. We’re seeking reaction and more information about the new Seattle proposal – more to come.

4:38 PM UPDATE: The resolution traces back to a discussion in the council’s Education/Governance Committee earlier this week, as detailed in this memo. It is time-sensitive – unless Seattle takes a step like this before the end of the year, the state tax credit that’s been in place several years as an annexation incentive will expire. That tax credit, offering $5 million a year for a decade, wouldn’t be enough to cover projected costs of bringing the annexation area into the city, so there’s talk of asking the Legislature for more – that was mentioned by Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon at a 34th District Democrats’ meeting earlier this fall. More to come …

15 Replies to "Seattle annexation for White Center? Council to consider it again"

  • nemobeansmom December 5, 2014 (5:06 pm)

    Don’t do it!!! Our neighborhood voted in to be a part of Burien and now everything has the City of Burien tax added onto it. One thing I don’t understand is we have to help pay for the street improvements on 1st Ave…how many times though, I count at least 3 in the past couple of years.

  • time to roll it all out people December 5, 2014 (6:57 pm)

    It has to be annexed by law. There is not a choice. The impact White Center and North Highline has on development planning for Westwood, Arbor Heights, Roxhill, Highland Park and South Park, AND Burien is huge. Nobody can really make plans or envision without some rationale movement forward on the annexation issue.

    NH organizers did not know how to get people to get out and actually vote in burien. The opportunity was squandered, seemingly.

    SOMEBODY! Annex WC and let’s get the show(s) on the freaking road.

    Thank you so much for your time and attention.

    Have a lovely weekend.

    Time to roll it ALL out govies. Let’s get ‘er done.

  • Mike December 5, 2014 (8:27 pm)

    Do people in White Center really want this? Their taxes are going to skyrocket.

  • Josh December 5, 2014 (8:38 pm)

    Few people in White Center want this. Many people in unincorporated King County are very happy living in “the County.” Burien doesn’t want us, and Seattle wouldn’t know we exist. We are happy the way we are.

  • time to roll it all out December 5, 2014 (9:10 pm)

    If people think Burien “REALLY” did not want to include White Center into Burien governance, they probably have no clue about how many people actually voted in the most recent annexation vote.

    It was not a matter of “Burien doesn’t want us”. It was a matter, of fewer than 800 voters voting. The previous vote was about the same number but voted Yes to Go to Burien. That small voting group is NOT representative of the population of Burien. People just did not get citizens motivated to register to vote and get to the polls for a number of reasons.
    annexed. It will be.

    People who accept the lack of public services available to the people of that area really need to check their moral compass if they think that it is a great.

    There is a better way for all citizens of North Highline to be happy and SAFE and with services every other area has.

    I understand that people don’t know how to get past this barrier and so take it and become martyrs for no noble reason. There is nothing noble about compromised and inadequate levels of emergency services not being available for the citizens who live in North HIghline.

    The people deserve better than that kind of apathy and negativity. It isn’t “cool”. It’s lame. People who say they are “happy” are most certainly not speaking for all of North Highland and White Center. People who say it is great the way it is just do not know what else to say or do because nobody has ever broken down those barriers to include them.

    People have a right to better services. It is immoral to not strive toward that.

  • John December 5, 2014 (9:13 pm)

    We live in an area that was incorporated by Burien a few years ago. Our taxes did not increase. On the contrary, I have been impressed at how well run of a city Burien is. White Center does need to be incorporated – the county does not have the resources to manage urban areas & provided the level of services needed to residents. Hopefully it moves to Seattle or Burien in the near future.

  • morgan December 6, 2014 (5:49 am)

    They will vote for it when they realize they will get a $15 min wage

  • Seymore December 6, 2014 (8:37 am)

    You may not want to become part of Seattle, or Burien for that matter. However, King County doesnt want you anymore. KC has made it very clear that they want out of servicing these unincorporated pockets adjacent to cities. Your going to end up with one or the other.

  • nemobeansmom December 6, 2014 (10:12 am)

    Yes I must take back my 1st comment…being a part of Burien has been great, they do come and plow our hilly street when it snowed and our garbage bill has gone down a whole lot (111.00 to 75.00) and when and if we need to call 911 their EMT’s will come…wait it’s the same FD we had when we we’re unincorporated, when we want to go to the library it’s Burien’s library…wait it’s the same one we had when unincorporated…so what I’m getting at is research this to see if you really want to become a part of a “city” before voting it in.

  • Jeff December 6, 2014 (12:41 pm)

    I think you are sort of missing the previous point. Status quo is not an option, the country won’t allow it. So Burien, Seattle, or self incorporation. Staying “the county” is not allowed.

  • rat city res December 6, 2014 (1:55 pm)

    I’m relieved Seattle is bringing this up for consideration again. I think we would have better services being part of Seattle than Burien or Unincorporated King County.

    Also, does anyone know why Holy Family Church is in the city of Seattle boundary? Have always been curious.

  • Enough Already December 6, 2014 (2:07 pm)

    “Taxes will skyrocket” = we will finally have to pay our fair share of the services.

    Somebody take them, or just have the county or legislature decide. The free ride needs to end.

  • Josh December 7, 2014 (10:13 am)

    Free Ride? Have you been to White Center lately? The place is a dump. You are probably right that in order to change it we need to be part of Burien or Seattle, but please don’t think it’s a free ride.

  • Rachael Levine December 8, 2014 (11:09 am)

    We were annexed to Burien two years ago. Our taxes have not skyrocketed. Burien Parks and Recreation are first-rate. Support for community well-being or concerns can be accessed at Burien Council Meetings. There is no $12 or more charge for parking as there would be for those attending Seattle City Council Meetings. Competition for attention to North Highline needs would be fierce, considering the well established Seattle City neighborhoods. The real question has to do with the energy of the residents of North Highline. Do you want to help shape the future of our community which already shares geography, history, Public Schools, Library and future? Or do you want to be shaped by the Seattle City Council, largely unknown in their vision of this community?

  • 4thGenWS December 9, 2014 (10:55 am)

    Residents of White Center. Do whatever you can to avoid this! You do not want to be subject to the same crappy Seattle Legislature that the rest of us have to endure. Good Luck!

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