"Area-X" and "Area-Y" mark the spot. That's according to Burien city manager Mike Martin, who conducted a recent open house meeting on the city's annexation project. He pointed to a map that proposes unincorporated North Highline be divided more or less into one north area and one south area.

The meeting was held at Shorewood Elementary School and nearly 30 residents attended, most from unincorporated North Highline. Some had concerns, but few voiced objections to the plan.

Area-X refers to the southern swath of unincorporated North Highline Burien wants to annex, while the larger Area-Y is being considered for annexation by the city of Seattle.

"We sat down at the table in November and December with representatives from Seattle and King County, and Seattle agreed not to oppose our plan," said Martin, who added, "We are unclear with Seattle's intentions (on incorporating the White Center area) but as long as we act within two years they cannot interfere. They also have two years to act on their area. After that, we would have the option to annex the northern area (Y) but for Burien to annex both areas today would put too much pressure on our city's resources. This agreement puts a stop to the back and forth (contention) of the annexation process."

Martin said he speculates that Seattle will incorporate Area-Y "within five years" because the region is becoming financially burdensome for King County, nearly $10 million in '07, to maintain and large sales tax credits come into play for Seattle to incorporate.

"We hope to bring our proposal to the (King County) Boundary Review Board this month," said Martin.

"Rumors are going around that by the time we vote on this proposal, the land will have already been divided," said a North Highline resident with worry in her voice. Others seated around her nodded in agreement.

"There is no way to make this happen without your vote," Martin responded. "It would be political suicide to tell 14,000 residents (in Area-X) what to do given something emotional as this. And legally this must come to a vote, and would pass with a simple majority."

"We are very involved in outreach with immigrants and refugees," said Jennifer Ramirez Robson of the Burien city manager's office. "It doesn't occur to some of those who are not property owners to become involved, but we care about their communities and want renters to understand they will also benefit from annexation."

Sands will shift in area police and fire protection, but reassurances were made by Martin, as well as Burien Police Chief K. Scott Kimerer, and Burien-Normandy Park Fire Chief Mike Marrs, also on hand. They repeated the mantra that the transition to incorporate would be "seamless" and the community would be "at least as safe if not safer with better municipal services" than what they receive now from the county. Fire Station 18 may come into play as it is on Southwest 112th Street and 12th Avenue S.W., near the boundary line. If annexed to Seattle, Burien would build a new station.

For more information on the annexation of North Highline please visit www.metrokc.gov/annex/nhighline.aspx.