Boulevard Park, tucked in the southeast corner of unincorporated North Highline, officially has a third suitor.

SeaTac City Council members on Nov. 26 designated Boulevard Park as a potential annexation area (PAA). Burien and Seattle have already named the entire North Highline area, including Boulevard Park, as a PAA.

The designation means the cities will continue studying whether they want to add the areas to their jurisdictions.

SeaTac is looking at annexing an area from South 128th Street to South 116th Street between Des Moines Memorial Drive and the Tukwila city limits.

However, the SeaTac Planning Commission, a citizen's advisory group, has indicated it favors studying the annexation of a larger area that might include the Rainier and Glenacres golf clubs.

"We are not voting to annex anything," Deputy Mayor Ralph Shape declared. "We are just putting the designation on a piece of paper that will keep us in the game. We want to keep the option open."

Lawmakers voted for the PAA despite a report by consultant Brett Sheckler of Berk and Associates that projected the total cost of annexation to the city at $1.67 million to $1.97 million per year, including operating and capital costs.

Berke did a similar study for Burien.

The city could expect additional revenues of $982,000 while added costs would be $2 million to $2.15 million, including an additional four-person fire engine company and two or three more police officers, according to Sheckler.

That would leave a net operating budget deficit of $1 million to $1.6 million, which would have to be made up by raising taxes or offering fewer services, Sheckler said.

Senior Planner Mike Scarey reported there are 1,305 existing housing units in Boulevard Park. With an estimated residential growth rate of 22 percent over 20 years, the area could add another 298 units under current zoning regulations.

Sheckler noted Boulevard Park is primarily residential with little commercial activity.

Just based on the consultant's report, Councilman Chris Wythe said he would have to vote against the PAA, but he added, "I'm not 100 per cent certain the report has everything needed.

"We need a deep, deep look." Wythe said.

He noted that if SeaTac steps out of the annexation picture, Burien and Seattle would decide on Boulevard Park annexation.

"We are talking about our neighbors," Wythe said. "What happens in Boulevard Park affects SeaTac."

"I strongly urge we stay in the game," Councilman Joe Brennan said.

But Mayor Gene Fisher noted a 2000 study showed annexing Boulevard Park would cost $1 million and the estimated cost has increased to $1.6 million.

"Our obligation is to SeaTac citizens, not Boulevard Park," he said.

Agreeing with the mayor, Councilman Tony Anderson said, ""We have a study that says (annexation) is very expensive. The current citizens would be subsidizing it."

Wythe, Shape, Brennan and Don DeHan voted to support the PAA designation while Fisher and Tony Anderson opposed it. Councilwoman Terry Anderson was absent.

The PAA designation was part of the city's yearly comprehensive plan amendments. Fisher voted against the final docket of amendments while the other five council members voting approved it.

If Burien, SeaTac or Seattle declares they want to annex any part of unincorporated North Highline, residents in the affected area will have the final say through a vote.