What Does Annexation Mean for Auburn?

At its January 16, 2007 meeting, the Auburn City Council passed resolutions initiating an annexation election process for Auburn's Potential Annexation Areas (PAAs). The City Council action includes a 1.8 square mile area commonly referred to as West Hill and a 4.6 square mile area commonly referred to as Lea Hill, which have been identified as a PAA in Auburn's Comprehensive Plan for more than a decade.

On August 21, the voters in the Lea Hill and West Hill areas approved the resolutions to become annexed into the city limits of Auburn. The annexations will become effective January 1, 2008. [View election results]

Annexation of the West Hill and Lea Hill PAAs is being pursued at this time for several reasons, as follows:

Manage Growth

The City has been concerned for years that the rapid growth taking place within the PAAs will overwhelm city streets and arterials. Annexation will allow the City to better manage the amount and type of growth in those areas for which it has responsibility and ensure that appropriate infrastructure to support development is provided concurrent with that development.

Prevention of Added Costs to Current Residents

The Auburn City Council would not consider annexing the PAAs unless it could be done so as to prevent adverse financial impacts to the City's current residents. In 2006, the State passed a law that qualified the City of Auburn for an additional .1% of the State's current portion of sales tax if the City annexed an area of 10,000 residents or more. This would provide $1.8 million per year over a maximum period of 10 years. The City has also signed an agreement with King County that will provide additional revenue to the City for the PAAs, if annexed.

With financial assistance from the State and King County, this annexation can now be accomplished without unduly burdening current city residents.

Long Range Plans

The Auburn City Council envisions retaining the predominantly single-family character of both Lea Hill and West Hill. The City's codes will help ensure that neighborhood character, traffic and environmentally sensitive features are protected and/or managed.

Supported by Government Mandates

Annexation of the PAAs is supported by State, County and City policies. Again, the City's Comprehensive Plan has included the Lea and West Hill neighborhoods as PAAs for over a decade.

The State Growth Management Act (GMA), passed in 1990, requires cities to identify their future annexation areas.

King County set forth a long-term vision that by 2012 all urban areas of King County should be part of cities - preferring annexation over incorporation.