Enumclaw council hears staff on two annexation petitions; council asks staff to prepare separate resolutions and consult city attorney
April 27, 2026 | Enumclaw, King County, Washington
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City staff briefed the Enumclaw City Council on two annexation petitions at the April 27 meeting and sought direction on how to proceed.
Community Development Director Chris Searcy said the city received two notices of intent (March 19 and March 24) for five vacant residential parcels totaling about 18 acres. Staff proposed modifying the petitioner boundaries to include adjacent parcels so that, combined, the annexation area would total roughly 38 acres with an assessed valuation near $8.5 million. Searcy recommended the council consider boundary modifications to keep city limits regular and to comply with the comprehensive plan.
Searcy outlined the process under state law: the council must set a meeting date within 60 days of filing to accept, reject or geographically modify the annexation; if the council authorizes proceeding, petitioners must secure signatures from property owners representing 60% of total assessed valuation for the area and the county then verifies the petitions before the Boundary Review Board reviews the proposal. He cautioned that the city could require newly annexed areas to assume bonded indebtedness and adopt city zoning.
Council members discussed whether to run the areas as a single combined annexation or as two separate petitions. Several members said they preferred processing the two areas separately, citing continuity and fairness to property owners; one council member asked staff to consult the city attorney about a possible condition that applicants pay for a consultant or otherwise cover city consultant costs to avoid overloading staff. Council indicated by head nods and discussion that staff should prepare draft resolutions to accept, reject or modify the areas — likely as two separate actions — and return with attorney input.
No formal council vote on annexation acceptance occurred; staff will return with legal guidance and draft resolutions within the statutory timelines.
Community Development Director Chris Searcy said the city received two notices of intent (March 19 and March 24) for five vacant residential parcels totaling about 18 acres. Staff proposed modifying the petitioner boundaries to include adjacent parcels so that, combined, the annexation area would total roughly 38 acres with an assessed valuation near $8.5 million. Searcy recommended the council consider boundary modifications to keep city limits regular and to comply with the comprehensive plan.
Searcy outlined the process under state law: the council must set a meeting date within 60 days of filing to accept, reject or geographically modify the annexation; if the council authorizes proceeding, petitioners must secure signatures from property owners representing 60% of total assessed valuation for the area and the county then verifies the petitions before the Boundary Review Board reviews the proposal. He cautioned that the city could require newly annexed areas to assume bonded indebtedness and adopt city zoning.
Council members discussed whether to run the areas as a single combined annexation or as two separate petitions. Several members said they preferred processing the two areas separately, citing continuity and fairness to property owners; one council member asked staff to consult the city attorney about a possible condition that applicants pay for a consultant or otherwise cover city consultant costs to avoid overloading staff. Council indicated by head nods and discussion that staff should prepare draft resolutions to accept, reject or modify the areas — likely as two separate actions — and return with attorney input.
No formal council vote on annexation acceptance occurred; staff will return with legal guidance and draft resolutions within the statutory timelines.
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