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Committee recommends sale of last Lake Youngs Aqueduct parcel in Maple Valley
Summary
Seattle Public Utilities asked the committee to authorize the direct sale of a small surplus parcel (Parcel 162206904904) in Maple Valley; SPU staff said the parcel splits an abutting property and that the sale reduces liability. The committee voted 4‑0 to recommend passage of council bill 121014 to the full council.
The Parks, Public Utilities and Technology Committee voted Wednesday to recommend passage of an ordinance authorizing Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) to sell a surplus parcel of the former Lake Youngs Aqueduct corridor in Maple Valley.
SPU staff told the committee the parcel (King County Parcel 162206904904) is approximately 12,200 square feet — just under a quarter acre — and bisects a private property on Maple Valley‑Black Diamond Road. SPU said the corridor parcel is surplus to the utility's needs and that disposing of the land reduces liability and maintenance costs, including wildfire and unauthorized encampment risk. The committee vote was 4‑0; the recommendation will be sent to the City Council meeting on July 15.
Jerry Caruso, SPU’s real property manager, said the aqueduct corridor lands were declared surplus in 1987 after the utility replaced the earlier pipeline. "This is the last remaining parcel on that pipeline to be sold," Caruso told the committee, noting the parcel was offered first to abutting owners per the 1987 surplus process and that the current proposed purchaser is the abutting owner who approached SPU and executed a purchase and sale agreement subject to council approval. The ordinance as introduced names Cheryl Development LLC as the buyer; SPU staff identified the abutting owner, Gary Shirell, as the party who negotiated terms and approached SPU in the most recent round of offers.
Caruso described the sale process: SPU obtained an appraisal, negotiated price based on fair‑market value, and entered a purchase-and‑sale agreement. Because the sale price is below $50,000, the statute that requires a public hearing for higher‑value surplus sales did not apply and the committee did not hold a public hearing.
Council members asked about the parcel's zoning and where proceeds go. Caruso said the adjoining land is residentially zoned under Maple Valley code and that the revenue from the sale will be recorded as non‑rate revenue to SPU’s water line of business rather than collected into a separate acquisition account. Council President Nelson and others said they supported the measure, while also asking when the property was first deemed surplus (Caruso cited the 1987 surplus resolution and said records show the corridor was declared surplus then).
Chair Joy Hollingsworth moved the committee recommendation to pass council bill 121014; the motion was seconded and carried 4‑0 (Council member Kettle: Aye; Council member Strauss: Yes; Council President Nelson: Aye; Chair Hollingsworth: Yes). The committee's recommendation will be transmitted to the full City Council for consideration at its July 15, 2025 meeting.
