Answer: The area needs a commercial base. We want the things; we need some means of supporting that in terms of revenue. Is an advocate for bringing in some industry and would like to explore that idea as a tax base.

Answer: That was one of the reasons for incorporating, was to be able to look for an appropriate commercial base and where it should go.

Answer: Wants to maintain historical connections with the area’s rural past and develop a place we don’t have to leave too often.

Answer: A lack of concrete jungle; no huge seas of boxes; no greenery; not necessarily farms, but we have some 5-20 acre places with horses, etc.. (Group lamented the loss of farm land into industrial parks.)

Crime rate has dropped 2/3 since incorporating. Vandalism, car theft, gangs, and domestic violence are major crimes. Used to be one officer, and now a sergeant and five patrol officers, and backup from county. Maple Valley, two officers are on duty 24 hours a day. There are about 11,000 residents. Covington 12,500 +

Beautiful; well-planned; best place to raise a family; most livable; safest; wilderness; low crime rate; friendly; planned community; sense of community; family environment; safe, friendly, family community; safe family community; helpful to strangers; friendly.

Responsiveness. Was an issue; remedied now. Community involvement strongest deterrent.

Get youth involved. Kids do not become major problems unless there is nothing there for them. Supervised places for youth.

Safety: Homeless move out here from the inner city. We need to consider social services needs.

Senior population is also important. We need to have places for them. Talk about youth and seniors. Why don’t we blend groups; not segregate by age. We have empty buildings that could be used.

How did Maple Valley become what it is now?

Historic Maple Valley is 3 miles down the valley, but it is on the rural side of the line and could not be included. Would like to incorporate historical area, but it would have to be something the citizens also want. Those citizens have the same issues as this area had before incorporation; but there is some opposition because they are worried it would adversely impact their area.

Rapid development has occurred in the last 12 years. Highway 18 access impacted development. It was a farming and timber area. Recreation, Lake Wilderness and Boulder Park are part of the identity of Maple Valley.

As Facilitated and Recorded by Walkable Communities, Inc.
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E-mail comments to Gregory J. McCormick
       AICP, Director of Community Development.