Developers urge swift adoption of MFTE after Maple Valley staff present program

City of Maple Valley staff presented the Multi‑family Tax Exemption (MFTE) program at a March 2 special study session, and local developers urged the City Council to approve the incentive quickly, saying two projects risk missing a critical construction weather window.

Economic and Community Development Director Doug McIntyre and Community Development Manager Matt Torpey gave the staff presentation, and told the council the MFTE item will return to a future meeting for further discussion. The council took no formal action on MFTE at the session.

Two developers who spoke during the public‑comment portions of the meeting said delays would harm planned projects. Chris Pallis of Pallis Properties asked the council to adopt the MFTE program so his companies’ two projects would not miss what he described as a “critical construction weather window” if approval is not issued soon. Drew Lang of Integrity Land Development made a similar request, saying that if construction is pushed out further project costs will rise.

Councilmembers did not take a vote on MFTE during the study session. Several council members and staff indicated the topic requires more discussion and that it will return to the council’s agenda at a later date for additional review and potential action.

The next regular business meeting is scheduled for March 9, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., where related consent items will be considered and the council may schedule or advance further action on MFTE.