The City of Renton will make its case for annexing Fairwood before the Washington state Boundary Review Board for King County on March 22.

Other governments and the public also will have a chance to weigh in on the issue at the only public hearing on the annexation of a community of roughly 27,700 residents.

State law defines criteria a successful annexation must meet, related to land characteristics, service provision and economic and social criteria.

“We believe it (the Fairwood annexation) meets those criteria,” said Marty Wine, the City of Renton assistant chief administrative officer.

Wine and Alex Pietsch, the administrator of the city’s Department of Community and Economic Development, will make the presentation. If necessary, the hearing could continue to March 24.

The City of Renton is the annexation proponent, acting on a petition signed by Fairwood residents to annex to the city.

The City Council in December placed Fairwood annexation on the Nov. 2 general election ballot, after incorporating Fairwood failed the month before.

The Boundary Review Board last May recommended approval of a new City of Fairwood, with the final decision up to the voters. But the board’s role – and power – is more pronounced in an annexation.

After hearing public testimony and weighing other evidence, the board could decide the annexation doesn’t meet the state’s criteria, stopping it dead without a public vote. It also can modify the annexation boundaries.

However, Fairwood is a potential annexation area for Renton and it’s state policy that urban areas either annex to a nearby city or form a new one.

The annexation would add about 4,000 acres to the city. Under current projections, Fairwood area could become home to about 35,000 people.

According to information submitted to the Boundary Review Board, the city is proposing to keep existing land uses.

The City of Renton has gone before the Boundary Review Board with numerous annexations in recent years.

The city has a “fairly standard presentation” that includes an overview of the area, a summary of finances and who would provide services after annexation, Wine said.

Concern has been expressed by Fire District 37 about the possible loss of revenue if part of its territory annexes, Wine said. Renton is working with the fire district to resolve those issues.

Fire District 37, which is operated by the Kent Fire Department, covers part of the southern portion of the annexation area.

Fairwood is served by the Renton and Kent school districts, which wouldn’t change if the area annexes.

Fairwood residents also would continue to use the King County Library System because of Renton’s recent annexation to the library system.

FAIRWOOD HEARING

The hearing by the Washington state Boundary Review Board for King County starts at 7 p.m. Monday, March 22, at the Fairwood Community United Methodist Church, 15255 S.E. Fairwood Blvd. The hearing could continue to March 24 if necessary to complete testimony.

The details:

• Community groups have 10 minutes to speak; individuals have three minutes.

• Written testimony is accepted and can be sent to the board before the hearing. The board’s mailing address is Boundary Review Board, Yesler Building, Room 240, 400 Yesler Way, Seattle, WA 98104. The file number is 2308.

• Depending on the hour, the board could begin deliberations on a preliminary decision on March 22. Or deliberations would begin after all testimony on March 24.

• The board would make its final decision at its regular meeting on April 8 or May 13. The decision is to approve the annexation, approve it with modifications or deny it.

• An appeal must be made within 30 days.

• The criteria an annexation must meet are defined in Revised Code of Washington 36.93.170.