Maple Valley council directs staff to advance SR 169 improvements under Alternative 5

Maple Valley’s City Council unanimously agreed March 3 to move forward with Alternative #5 for the SR 169 improvements between SE 240th Street and SE 244th Street after a presentation from city staff and a consultant.

City Engineer Steven Chen introduced the T36 SR 169 project and consultant Jon Pascal of Transpo Group presented a set of design alternatives, including the option the council selected. The minutes record that councilmembers “unanimously agreed moving forward with Alternative #5” but do not record formal roll-call votes specifically tied to that choice.

The decision came alongside public comment from a nearby property owner. Zach Schneider of Kent, representing Schneider Family Homes and owner of a parcel at SR 169 and SE 244th, said he “fully supports the proposed roundabouts,” told council he believes the changes will help traffic, and said his family is committed to developing the parcel. Julie Dawson of Maple Valley thanked staff and said she was “impressed with proposed changes” and appreciative that prior HOA concerns were heard and addressed.

The minutes do not specify schedule milestones, funding amounts or a motion text for the Alternative #5 decision; staff and the consultant were recorded as presenters and the council’s direction was unanimous. The action gives staff direction to advance the preferred concept toward next steps in design and implementation.

What’s next: staff will proceed with the chosen alternative through design and subsequent permitting steps (specific dates and funding sources were not specified in the minutes). The council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for March 10, 2025.