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City Annexation Information
Annexation is the process by which cities extend their municipal services, regulations, voting privileges, and taxing authority to new territory. It is the City of Enumclaw's goal to build strong, positive relationships with the community and urban service providers to facilitate a smooth transition of land from the unincorporated urban growth area into the city.
Why Annex?
Rural development is different than urban development. Development densities in the county are usually lower than in the city, making it more difficult and costly to provide the same level of service. Consequently, counties typically do not provide the same level of service as cities. Some of the basic differences are that cities are able to effectively provide:
Growth, Development & Services
In order for the city to provide services as efficiently as possible, the city has identified logical areas for future city growth, development, and the provision of services. Those areas are included within a larger area referred to as the city’s Urban Growth Area (UGA). In order to manage the city’s provision of services in the most cost effective manner possible, the city is working towards developing a long term plan for the provision of services within the entire UGA.
UGA Benefits & Shortfalls
In many instances, residents within the city’s UGA often consider themselves part of the City of Enumclaw and enjoy the benefits of:
For more information about annexation go the the MSRC Annexation Handbook where it addresses the general topic of municipal annexation and provides assistance with the statutory procedures for annexation as well as some recurring legal questions. This version is current with the 2008 RCW. - MRSC, July 2009.
Project Understanding
The City of Enumclaw has sought assistance in preparing an Annexation Impact Study (PDF), which evaluates the potential costs and revenues associated with annexation. The city has ended all development moratoriums, which will increase the pace of development over what the city has seen in recent years.
Potential Annexation Areas
Much of this development pressure is expected to be seen in the city’s potential annexation areas (PAAs), which include significant areas of developable land. Given these conditions, the city wants to understand both the short- and the long-term implications of annexation. The future development of Enumclaw’s annexation areas will be a key driver of Enumclaw’s long-term fiscal sustainability.
The timing of annexation and the timing and nature of development, will influence:
Berk has developed a flexible fiscal model that reflects the city’s existing service structure and captures the interaction between land use, development, and a city’s costs and revenues. With the help of this flexible model, decision makers at Enumclaw will have the ability to:
Why Annex?
Rural development is different than urban development. Development densities in the county are usually lower than in the city, making it more difficult and costly to provide the same level of service. Consequently, counties typically do not provide the same level of service as cities. Some of the basic differences are that cities are able to effectively provide:
- Full-time professional emergency services
- Municipal water and sewer service
- Sidewalks
- Street lights
- Other amenities such as:
- Libraries and associated programs
- Parks
Growth, Development & Services
In order for the city to provide services as efficiently as possible, the city has identified logical areas for future city growth, development, and the provision of services. Those areas are included within a larger area referred to as the city’s Urban Growth Area (UGA). In order to manage the city’s provision of services in the most cost effective manner possible, the city is working towards developing a long term plan for the provision of services within the entire UGA.
UGA Benefits & Shortfalls
In many instances, residents within the city’s UGA often consider themselves part of the City of Enumclaw and enjoy the benefits of:
- City parks
- City water and/or sewer service
- Public Library
- Shaping the city’s future growth and development
- Maintaining the quality of life that makes Enumclaw a wonderful place to live, work and play
- Help ensure an appropriate and better coordinated level of service
For more information about annexation go the the MSRC Annexation Handbook where it addresses the general topic of municipal annexation and provides assistance with the statutory procedures for annexation as well as some recurring legal questions. This version is current with the 2008 RCW. - MRSC, July 2009.
Project Understanding
The City of Enumclaw has sought assistance in preparing an Annexation Impact Study (PDF), which evaluates the potential costs and revenues associated with annexation. The city has ended all development moratoriums, which will increase the pace of development over what the city has seen in recent years.
Potential Annexation Areas
Much of this development pressure is expected to be seen in the city’s potential annexation areas (PAAs), which include significant areas of developable land. Given these conditions, the city wants to understand both the short- and the long-term implications of annexation. The future development of Enumclaw’s annexation areas will be a key driver of Enumclaw’s long-term fiscal sustainability.
The timing of annexation and the timing and nature of development, will influence:
- The city’s revenue streams
- The city’s decisions about the configuration of service delivery
- The city’s overall ability to deliver services
Berk has developed a flexible fiscal model that reflects the city’s existing service structure and captures the interaction between land use, development, and a city’s costs and revenues. With the help of this flexible model, decision makers at Enumclaw will have the ability to:
- View the fiscal implications of annexation and long-term development
- Explicitly examine the implications of different assumptions about:
- Different policy choices
- Different scenarios regarding the pace and nature of future development
- Service provision
Contact Us
-
Chris Pasinetti
Community Development Director
Email
For General Permitting questions, please email:
Permits@ci.enumclaw.wa.us,
or call 360-825-3593Ph: 360-825-3593
Fx: 360-825-7232
Stevenson / Yerxa Building
1309 Myrtle Ave.
Enumclaw, WA 98022
DirectionsHours
Monday - Friday
9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.Permit counter hours are 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.