I am a resident of a section of Enumclaw that is in unincorporated King County. In order to get to my home you drive past the Enumclaw Expo Center. Over the last month, we have been noticing 18 wheeler utility trailers being parked in the South Lot and North lot of the Enumclaw Expo Center. The number seems to be growing by the day. When my husband and I moved to our home in 2001 and for every year after the Expo Center grounds have always been pleasant to look at on your way to our home. It has also been a lovely area for people to walk and exercise their dogs.

No longer is this true. As I drive past there going and coming from my home I feel more and more like suddenly I live in the middle of industrialized Fife, WA. This is not what we want to look at as we make our way to and from our home. I know my surrounding neighbors feel exactly as we do.

On January 23rd, 2018 I called the City of Enumclaw to inquire about these trailers. They informed me I would need to call Scott Gray at the Expo Center. I did call Mr. Gray that day. He was out of the office that day, so I left a message for him. As of today, February 3, 2018 he still has not returned my call. The person who answered my call did answer some of my questions. She said the trailers were used for the US Postal Service and that they would be stored at the Expo Center for the next eight months. She told me they will only be in use during the busy time of the year such as Christmas. She also informed me that Mr. Gray got approval from the City of Enumclaw to use the Expo Center as a storage area for the trailers. First of all, the South end of the Expo Center the area South of SE 456th is zoned Agricultural only. I have had the assistance of several real estate agents as well as King County Code enforcement verify that this section cannot be used to store utility trailers of any kind.

Also, on January 23rd I composed an e mail stating my concerns, and sent it to the Mayor of Enumclaw, as well as every Enumclaw City Council member. As I sit here and type this letter to you, I have only heard from three council members. The first one was Tony Binion. He called me the morning of January 24th. The next council member I heard from was a few days later that was Anthony Wright and then a day later Kyle Jacobson. They all gave me similar information. That yes, indeed Mr. Gray obtained approval from someone at the City of Enumclaw to use the facility as a storage yard for the 18 wheel utility trailers. They all told me there were plans to use the bone yard next to the RV park to store all of them.

It appears to me, as thought the bone yard is quite full of them, and I am still looking at the South parking lot with numerous unsightly trailers. Last week while they were hauling one in they got it buried in the mud. It took several large tow trucks to get it out. Today as I drive by, many of them are sinking into the soft ground. I understand Mr. Gray made this arrangement to help fund the Expo Center. I truly feel he did not take many things into consideration when allowing this.

I am not at all happy with the City of Enumclaw approving this. I am very concerned about our property values. I am also concerned with the conditions of our roads after numerous tractor trailer trucks are in and out with these trailers. Is Mr. Gray and the Expo Center going to fund paving and cleaning of the roads? Is he going to reimburse us for our lower property values? I say shame on him, and shame on the City of Enumclaw!

I do want to thank each council member that got back to me. Clearly Mr. Binion was leading the pack but I also appreciate Mr. Wright and Mr. Jacobson getting in touch with me. All three showed concern and definitely have a dedication to making Enumclaw what it should be and not a mini version of Fife, WA. They all three are deserving of their positions.

I encourage anyone that has property, or has a concern with this to join me at the Enumclaw City Council meeting at the Enumclaw City Hall on February 12th, 2018 7:30 pm.

Kellie Andersen

Enumclaw