Council approves Tarragon annexation, rejects nearby Kazer/Mezic petition; county drainage district to transfer assets to Enumclaw

The Uniontown City Council on May 11 approved a modified annexation request from Tarragon, passing Resolution 1877 after staff recommended altering the petition to include six parcels totaling roughly 18 acres and an estimated $4,000,000 valuation.

City staff said the area is zoned for low-density residential use, has water and sewer stub-outs nearby and that the applicant offered to help cover consultant and review costs. "This annexation proposal is located on the east side of town... Staff is recommending modifying the area to six parcels," city staff member Chris Bass told the council. The motion to approve passed on a voice vote, recorded by the mayor as "five yeses, one no."

By contrast, Resolution 1876, the Kazer/Mezic annexation petition for roughly 20 acres (staff valuation about $5,000,000), failed on a voice vote after council discussion and committee input. Staff had recommended modifying that petition to include additional parcels to regularize the city boundary; the council declined to adopt the recommendation and the motion failed. "So the resolution number 1876... failed to pass," the mayor said following the vote.

Earlier in the meeting a representative for county drainage interests told council that King County commissioners had passed a resolution authorizing an interlocal agreement to transfer territory, deeds and easements for Drainage District Nos. 5 and 5A to the City of Enumclaw where portions of the drainage district now sit inside city limits. The representative said the transfer includes assets and water-conveyance infrastructure that links to Newacom Creek and recommended presenting the signed interlocal agreement to city leadership for review and acceptance.

Why it matters: Annexations alter city boundaries, tax bases and service obligations. Staff emphasized that annexations carry processing costs and time; applicants may reimburse review fees, but council must weigh staffing capacity, boundary-review-board expectations and impacts on service networks.

What happens next: The city will proceed with the modified Tarragon annexation process under state law, including any boundary-review-board steps and required notice. The Kazer/Mezic petition was not accepted and remains subject to re-submittal or further action only if petitioners pursue it again.