Council approves funding for transition of Benson Hill neighborhood into city of Renton

The Metropolitan King County Council today unanimously approved legislation providing funds to assist the annexation of the Benson Hill neighborhood into the city of Renton.

Residents of the unincorporated community of Benson Hill voted to become part of the city of Renton in the November general election.

“The citizens of Benson Hill have spoken and they want to be part of Renton,” said Council Vice Chair Reagan Dunn, who represents the Benson Hill neighborhood on the County Council. “I am pleased that we were able to adopt this interlocal agreement to make Renton’s job easier in taking on a large number of new residents.”

“This funding will give the Benson Hill neighborhood a smooth transition to becoming part of the City of Renton,” said Council Chair Julia Patterson, who represents portions of the city of Renton. “The legislation represents the type of successful annexation partnerships that are possible between the county and cities.”

The legislation approved by the Council authorizes the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement with Renton for annexation of the 4.2 square mile area that provides $1.7 million in transition costs to the city. Under the agreement, Renton would also assume ownership of Cascade Park and surface water management and greenbelt properties. A community pool would be transferred to the Renton School District under a separate agreement.

King County has been encouraging cities since 2004 to annex unincorporated urban communities adjacent to their cities, providing financial assistance to ease the transition of these neighborhoods into their cities. The state Growth Management Act calls for cities to be the provider of local government services to urban areas and for counties to provide regional services, with counties also providing local services to rural unincorporated areas.


Read more about this legislation on the King County Council’s LEGISEARCH system. Type in “2007-0602”