After months of jostling, juggling and jousting, the city of Maple Valley and YarrowBay appear to be on the brink of a traffic improvement agreement for the two Black Diamond developments, The Villages and Lawson Hills.

The tentative agreement was announced at the Black Diamond City Council closed record hearing Monday, which could clear one of the major hurdles facing the developments.

The Black Diamond City Council unanimously passed two ordinances approving the two master planned development agreements Monday and accepted revisions to the conditions for each of the MPDs from YarrowBay and Maple Valley.

YarrowBay has filed the development agreement with the city. Once the staff has completed its work, the development agreement will go before Phil Olbrechts, the city hearing examiner. Olbrechts will make a recommendation that will be considered by the Black Diamond City Council in a closed-record hearing.

Maple Valley City Manger David Johnston said, “we’ve been working over the last few months and we reached a tentative agreement on the projects. There are still some aspects we are working on in the negotiations.”

Brain Ross, managing partner of YarrowBay, said, “We’re happy with the outcome and we think everyone had ample opportunity to comment on these projects. It has been a lengthy, but necessary process.”

The agreement includes a list of about 15 traffic improvement projects with YarrowBay contributing a varying percentage to each.

For example, the developer would pay 25.3 percent for an additional southbound lane on state Route 169 from 231st Street to Witte Road and a 63.2 percent contribution for a traffic signal at SR 169 and Southeast 244th Street.

Each of the projects on the list has a varying percentage rate for YarrowBay to pay.

“It has been a long time coming, and we are looking forward to the next steps.” Ross said. “We want to stay engaged in the community and we want to hear from everyone.”

Joint letter to the Black Diamond City Council 9-20-10 Ver.2-2

Mediation Revised Conditions 9-20-10_Ver.2-1

Mediation New Condition Redline BDCouncil 9-20-10-1

2010-09-20 YarrowBay Road Improvements Press Release(Draft 3)-2