“During public meetings we held throughout the summer, one of the desires expressed by rural residents was greater ability to make a living from a small-home based business on their property,” said Councilmember Dow Constantine, chair of the Council’s Growth Management and Natural Resources Committee. “At the same time, folks said that they wanted to keep the rural area rural. That public input played a large role in a proposal that is the first step in dealing with rural economic issues while preserving King County’s rural character.”

“From the start, these reforms were initiated and supported by rural residents through our Unincorporated Areas Councils—they deserve all of the credit,” said Councilmember Reagan Dunn, the Policy Chair of Unincorporated and Rural Affairs on the Growth Management Committee. “When we had questions, they responded with solutions. These changes will allow people to work, shop, and thrive in the places where they live. I'm proud to have worked with our rural leaders to bring forward these reforms.”

Comprehensive Plans adopted by local governments provide blueprints for future growth and development. The King County Comprehensive Plan (KCCP) is updated annually, with major updates occurring on a four-year cycle. The last major KCCP update occurred in 2004. This 2006 update is more limited in scope. The update on home businesses includes:

“Rural residents want to move beyond the boutique and cottage businesses that are associated with rural areas,” said Constantine. “The growth of landscaping and contracting companies as well as the increase in the number of people operating mail-order and online businesses means adjusting the Comprehensive Plan to accommodate a new aspect of the rural economy.”

The updates on home businesses that are part of the Comprehensive Plan update do not include the changes related to wineries, nurseries and forest practices in the Rural Economic Strategy Report that were recently transmitted to the Council by the County Executive. Those changes are contained in a separate ordinance, 2006-0407, which the Council is expected to consider in 2007.