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LOCAL | New holiday tree lights up Don Henning Roundabout [page 2]
BUZZ ABOUT THE BEARS | Tahoma High’s boys basketball off to a hot start to FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012 the 2012-2013 season [9]
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Progress in legal cases against YarrowBay BY DENNIS BOX dbox@maplevalleyreporter.com
A handful of legal decisions were issued recently related to YarrowBay’s master planned developments in Black Diamond, The Villages and Lawson Hills. Superior Court Judge Patrick Oishi granted a YarowBay motion to dismiss the appeal of the development agreements for the developments Dec. 5. In the court documents Oishi wrote that the petitioners, Toward Responsible Development, missed three court ordered deadlines — Oct. 10, Nov. 2 and Nov. 26 — to pay the city’s cost for preparing the record. In the conclusions Oishi wrote, “TRD in its response to
the third motion (to dismiss by YarrowBay), concedes that dismissal is warranted to allow issues to be resolved by the Court of Appeals.” TRD can appeal the dismissal to the Court of Appeals. Still pending before the Court of Appeals is the Land Use Petition Act, or LUPA, appeal of the master planned development permits. Oishi ruled in favor of the city and YarrowBay in August dismissing the LUPA appeal petition. The ruling was appealed by TRD to the Court of Appeals. A hearing date has not been set, but TRD’s opening brief is due Jan. 10. In another legal decision regarding the developments, the city’s hearing examiner issued a recommendation of
approval on YarrowBay’s preliminary plat. A plat is a map which shows the divisions of a piece of land shown to scale. According to a release from YarrowBay, the plat includes “782 residences, 190,000 square feet of commercial development, two large parks, trails, open space and one elementary school site for the Enumclaw School District. The plat is designed to accommodate single family, multifamily, commercial, retail and school uses.”
Reach Dennis Box at dbox@maplevalleyreporter.com or 425-432-1209 ext. 5050. To comment on this story go to www.maplevalleyreporter.com.
Racing legend helps open new business Firestone celebrates with Mario Andretti BY KRIS HILL khill@covingtonreporter.com
Mario Andretti, a racing legend whose resume includes wins in NASCAR’s Daytona 500 as well as the Indianapolis 500 among many others, helped open the new Firestone in Covington Dec. 14 and broke the ceremonial scissors in the process. The racing legend signed the broken scissors. Turns out he wasn’t the first one, according to staff from the Covington Chamber of Commerce. It was a light moment during what was a joyous grand opening for a new Covington business. Andretti, whose relationship with Firestone since he started racing decades ago, has helped open eight Firestone stores this year including the one in Covington. COVINGTON He explained the company is selective about which stores he makes appearances at, so, it’s something special for him to visit. “These stores are fabulous,” Andretti said. “It’s all about trying to create some awareness that they’re here. Firestone, they’re a very good neighbor. When they come into the community, they become a part of it.
City Council approves budget for next year BY TJ MARTINELL tmartinell@maplevalleyreporter.com
city’s mission to make Covington a great place to shop, work and play. This wasn’t his first trip to the Pacific Northwest or the Covington area. Andretti raced once at Pacific Raceways on the road course. “I have a faint memory of it,” Andretti said. “I think it was back in the late ‘60s, could be ‘68 actually. I remember that I finished second … other than that, the closest I’ve raced in
With the approval of the 2013 budget two positions were eliminated from Maple Valley’s payroll: city attorney and community development director. The Maple Valley City Council approved the 2013 budget at its meeting Monday. Before the council approved the budget, it first approved an employment separation agreeMAPLE ment with City VALLEY Attorney Christy Todd. As part of the agreement, Todd will be given six months severance pay and benefits. “It was my sincere pleasure to serve the city of Maple Valley for the past five years,” Todd wrote in an email. “Maple Valley is truly a unique City and I treasure the opportunities I was given here.” Maple Valley will seek contract legal services, something cities like Covington have done. Steve Clark, the city’s public works director, will take on the duties of Ty Peterson, who has been community development director for the city for nine years, as both de-
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Isabella Jocz, 6, asks Mario Andretti to sign her pink fedora during Covington Firestone’s grand opening event Dec. 14. Fans of all ages waited for Andretti, who has won races in a variety of cars, to sign hats, posters, programs and die cast model cars. KRIS HILL, The Reporter To view a slide show go to www.maplevalleyreporter.com. They’ll be a good asset.” He commended the design of the store, describing it as “efficient,” while Firestone will provide a full line of tires and services for cars. Andretti added that Firestone selects locations like Covington because the company sees value in communities that are investing in development. During the grand opening ceremony, Firestone donated $500 each to Meals on Wheels and the Covington Rotary Club,
demonstrating what Andretti explained about the company’s involvement in the community. It’s something that city officials are pleased about as well, as Covington Mayor Margaret Harto noted. “We are excited to have Firestone come to Covington,” Harto said. “They’re not just sitting on this corner trying to get your business. They’re involved in this community.” With the addition of Firestone, Harto said, it enhances the