FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 1, 2009

Contact: 
Kathy Elias
Co-Chair, Municipal League
206-325-1129

The Municipal League of King County today released a report on selected issues relating to land-use regulation within King County, the result of a two-year study originating from a review of the 2006 Property Rights Initiative, I-933. While the Municipal League opposed that measure, the issues raised by proponents warranted an independent study.

“Our goal was to assemble key stakeholders and listen carefully,” said Municipal League co-chair Kathy Elias. “We found that the initiative proponents had some legitimate complaints, although they were not necessarily about property rights. These are tough issues and do not lend themselves to simple solutions.”

The report, compiled by volunteers interested in land use, made findings and recommendations in the following main areas:

1. 1)    Citizens throughout King County lack consensus on the location of future growth    despite long-adopted growth management policies. The report suggests some practical tools to address this intractable problem.
2. 2)    Revenue inadequacy is a major theme for local governments, especially for chronically strapped King County. The state should help identify long term structural solutions for urban counties and consider enabling new revenue sources.
3. 3)    Representation.  King County provides zoning and permitting to unincorporated citizens as their local government, yet more than 80% of council members’ constituents live in cities. This pattern weakens representation for unincorporated residents and suggests the need for structural reforms granting them greater influence over decisions which directly affect them.
4. 4)    King County has had serious problems in its permitting practices, often related to permit fees. Both adequate revenues and careful monitoring are required to ensure better performance.

To view the report, please visit http://www.munileague.org/issues.

About the Municipal League
The Municipal League of King County is a nonpartisan volunteer organization that has worked to ensure good government that is open, effective and accountable since 1910. The Municipal League is dedicated to improving the caliber of public officials and the quality of public decisions. For more information see www.munileague.org.