King County to hold public hearing on transfer of some Brightwater property for SR-9 widening project

2005 Archived News

King County will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, Oct. 11, to take testimony on the proposed transfer of King County property and easements to the state Department of Transportation for widening State Route 9 near State Route 522.

The hearing will also take testimony on the transfer of other King County easements to the Snohomish County Public Utility District to make room for the highway project and related relocation of utility poles.

The hearing will be in King County's project office for the future Brightwater wastewater treatment plant, 22509 State Route 9 S.E., Woodinville. An open house about the Brightwater project and the SR-9 widening is scheduled from 5-6 p.m., followed by the public hearing on the property transfer from 6-6:30 p.m.

A little more than 1 acre needed for the highway project is on land King County bought for the Brightwater plant in south Snohomish County north of Woodinville. The property is on the east side of SR-9 just north of the intersection with SR-522. The plant will provide wastewater treatment capacity to serve the growing number of people in south Snohomish County and north King County.

During the open house, displays will include the history and development of the Brightwater property, a description of the wastewater treatment process, and a model of the proposed Brightwater plant. Representatives of the state transportation department will also be there to answer questions about widening SR-9.

King County is working closely with the transportation department to reduce the impacts of both the widening project and the treatment plant project. For more information about the state's project, visit the project Web site.

For reasonable accommodations at the public hearing for people with disabilities or more information about the Brightwater Project, call 206-296-6799 or 711 (TTY) or send an e-mail message. You can also visit the Brightwater project Web site or visit the Brightwater office.

Copies of the proposed transfer ordinances will be available at the hearing and at the Brightwater Project Office. Copies will also be available from the clerk of the King County Council, Room W-1025, King County Courthouse, 516 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104; telephone 206-296-1020.

The ordinances are also available on the Internet at King County Clerk of the Council or King County Council Online Legislation. The ordinance numbers are 2005-0321 for the DOT property transfer and 2005-0342 for the Snohomish County PUD easements.

The King County Council will consider the public comments when it takes up the property transfer ordinances at its Oct. 17 meeting.

King County plans to begin demolishing structures at the Brightwater site this fall. To reduce impacts, truck traffic will be limited during peak hours. The Brightwater team will work closely with neighbors during construction and operation of the treatment plant.

When Brightwater begins operating in 2010, it will serve Bothell, Brier, Kenmore, Mill Creek, Redmond, Sammamish and Woodinville. It will also serve unincorporated areas of Snohomish and King counties in the Alderwood, Cross Valley, Northeast Sammamish, Northshore, Silver Lake and Woodinville sewer districts.

King County's Wastewater Treatment Division protects public health and water quality by serving 17 cities, 17 local sewer agencies and more than 1.4 million residents in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties. Formerly called Metro, the regional public utility has been preventing water pollution for 40 years.