Issaquah’s annexation of Klahanie fails (Seattle, Renton: fit in, to rent, school district)

[MaikeerinWA]

Issaquah's annexation of Klahanie fails; Sammamish may try next | Local News | The Seattle Times

Wow - that was quite close. And a tad nasty between the two suitors, Issaquah and Sammamish.

It seems pretty clear that Klahanie will not remain unincorporated, long-term.

[flyingsaucermom]

I don't know. I get the Issaquah-Sammamish reporter since we're right next door and I think both cities were pretty respectful (not sure about the residents voting on the measure). It was an issue where I really could see both sides build a legitimate argument. Some of our kids are bussed to the Issaquah schools in Klahanie, but honestly, I do think it feels more like a Sammamish community. it's already up on the plateau and surrounded on two sides with Sammamish.

[Ira500]

Annexation is a funny thing. In this case, Issaquah would have to agree to drop Klahanie as it's Potential Annexation Area, and they don't have to. For sure, King County wants it and all unincorporated areas annexed to somebody, but the wheels of government grind slowly. Fairwood had an election 10? years ago to become an independent city. It lost. Then they had an election a couple of years later to annex to Renton. It lost. And they remain unincorporated. Skyway voted no on joining Renton, but Seattle is reluctant to want to annex them, so it remains unincorporated. A lot of recent annexation votes have been no votes. Maybe Klahanie would say no to Sammamish too.

[Sadie181]

What is sad is the voter turnout that was less than a third of the residents here in Klahanie even voted. I saw both sides as well. Personally I feel like we fit into both places. Yes we are up here but the Highlands are up here too and they are Issaquah. What matters the most to me is that my child stays within the same school district and she would so either one would work for us.