In a 5-hour marathon meeting, Burien Council faced dozens of residents, livid about confusing zoning changes that aim to bring affordable housing to all neighborhoods in the city. Council asked for options, but instead received planning pushback. Zoning ordinance discussion will resume on June 30.
by Tommy Butzerin.
All seven members of the council were present at the June 16, 2025 Burien City Council meeting. The Council Chambers were overflowing, with over 45 people who had signed up to speak, mostly regarding the proposed high-density residential zoning along shoreline and sensitive wetland areas. The meeting ran almost five hours.
Councilmember Akey moved to shift the Executive Session to after public comments, but the city did not allow this motion. The council then entered Executive Session for approximately 20 minutes to discuss the qualifications of an applicant for public employment. They reconvened at 5:58 PM
Proclamations
Deputy Mayor Sarah Moore issued a proclamation for Pollinator Month, which was unique in that no one was specifically designated to receive it.
Councilmember Alex Andrade issued a proclamation for Juneteenth. Kindle Shaw, winner of Best of Burien Award for her local business, Lucite Jungle, followed up with remarks.
Following proclamations, Public Works Director Rod Steitzer gave a presentation to the council on the SR 509 Expressway, including their intended construction projects, how their funding is being allocated, and how tolls will be implemented.
- Deputy Mayor Moore asked what the anticipated change in traffic volume would be as a result of the proposed actions, and the presenters answered that they didn’t have enough information to answer that, but that it would likely be a “modest increase.”
- Councilmember Hugo Garcia asked about the construction of noise-mitigation walls, and the presenters explained where noise walls are planned to be constructed.
Rod Steitzer then briefly presented on the vehicle license fee update, which mostly involved infrastructure needs and funding proposals. Vehicle fees would double from $20 to $40, and would generate roughly $1.54 million revenue annually to help with transportation and safety plans. The fees are in alignment with neighboring cities.
Council Member Reports
Mayor Kevin Schilling celebrated multiple businesses opening in Burien, and attended the King County Library Summer Reading Program launch. He also attended the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast at the Burien FIre Department. Finally, he congratulated Discover Burien on a successful Strawberry Festival and Car Show.
Deputy Mayor Sarah Moore also attended the Strawberry Festival. She reported on volunteering at Stormfest, which teaches students about stormwater runoff and its impact on waterways. Further, she attended an educational event on reducing gun violence and a listening session for CHOOSE180, an organization meant to “transform systems of injustice.” Lastly, spoke on attending a Know Your Rights training by Colectiva Legal del Pueblo.
Councilmember Linda Akey moved her report to the next meeting in the interest of time.
Councilmember Alex Andrade reported on attending the Puget Sound Business Journal Pride Reception. She also mentioned the Strawberry Festival and Car Show. She reported on attending the Seattle Orca Fan Fest, where she learned about cricket and the growing interest it is generating in our region, and on attending the Stormfest. To conclude, she thanked Burien residents for having open conversations with the council members about the zoning changes, and briefly mentioned the BADP meeting.
Councilmember Hugo Garcia reported on attending the Strawberry Festival and Pridefest, as well as the gun violence event and listening session from CHOOSE 180 mentioned by Deputy Mayor Moore. He also reported that there had been rumors of an ICE raid by local businesses but these rumors were incorrect. He concluded his comments by explaining resources available to people concerned about ICE action.
City Manager Adolfo Bailon’s Report
- The next Coffee with the City Manager event on Thursday, June 26th will involve the Public Works department, and Public Works Director Rod Steitzer will attend. Event will be held at Council Chambers, a change of venue.
- The city is repairing the fountain at Town Square Park.
Public Comment
Spurred on by the current discussion about proposed residential zoning changes in Burien, a staggering 45 people signed up for public comment.
Opinions were split on the issue, although the majority of speakers were opposed to the new changes. They cited the lowering of property values, the unrealistic plans for construction of affordable housing in the proposed locations, parking and safety issues, Tier-1 versus Tier-2 status of the city, overbuilding on critical shoreline, and environmental issues, among other concerns.
City officials and councilmembers have acknowledged their concerns, but the city planning team says that the R-3 zoning cannot be modified until the 2044 Comprehensive Plan changes.
Here are proposed zoning changes, including a close-up of the Three Tree Point, Seahurst, and Lake Burien neighborhoods. Dark amber represents high-density zoning, noted as R-3:
Many speakers were confused and frustrated, as demonstrated by the circulation of a grass-roots petition that has already collected 79 signatures from local residents.
Those supportive of the zoning changes to allow for increased residential density across the entire city primarily argued that the housing crisis makes construction of new affordable housing important.
The city provided an example of middle-housing where six cottages could fit on a 3,000 square foot lot:
Following the 75-minute public comment period, the meeting recessed until 8:17 PM
Consent Agenda
Approved unanimously.
Business Agenda
Public Safety Levy Lift Ballot
The first item on the business agenda was a discussion of Public Safety Levy Lift Ballot Language, led by Finance Director Casey Headley. The levy proposal, slated for the November ballot, is specifically for policing, co-response teams, sidewalks and lighting. The four areas were identified as top safety issues in community surveys.
Headley explained guidelines for constructing the language on the ballot so that voters understand what they are voting on. Mayor Schilling briefly mentioned that the ballot language itself must be 75 words or less, while the explanation in the voter’s guide can be more detailed.
CM Akey and Deputy Mayor both commented on the importance of making it clear to taxpayers what the levy would be funding, and also that it is intended to maintain the current level of public safety measures and service. ARPA/Covid funds are ending, so the city is currently dipping into its reserves; this measure intends to prevent a $2 million deficit in the future.
The More We Love homeless outreach contractor is not included in this levy.
The levy would roughly double Public Safety taxes for Burien homeowners. On a property assessed at $596,000, it would add an extra $473 annually, which works out to $39.49/month.
Ordinance 868 Housing Code and Zoning Map Changes
The next item on the agenda, which was responsible for the major influx of public comments, was a presentation on the proposed residential zoning changes.
This discussion included Community Development Director Liz Stead and Senior Planner Chaney Skadsen. They presented specifics on how the zoning changes will affect Burien, and information on this subject can be found at https://connect.burienwa.gov/.
Multiple members of the council spoke about citizens’ concerns and the feasibility of the changes.
- CM Akey asked why Burien, a Tier-2 sized city, is being proposed as Tier-1 for zoning purposes. According to Chaney, it gives the city more options in zoning.
- CM Andrade motioned to convert R-2 zones to R-1, and the motion passed 4-3, with dissenting votes from CM Matta, Deputy Mayor Moore, and CM Garcia. (amendment)
- It was confirmed by city planners that “Residential Low 2” zoning (which controls R-3 high density zoning) in the Comp Plan cannot be changed at this time.
CM Mora asked if it was possible to file an extension (based on HB 1110) while they consider modifications to the 2044 Comp Plan. The meeting then recessed until 9:52 PM, in order to allow City Manager Adolfo and staff to determine if an extension could be filed.
Upon return, Assistant City Attorney Jabu Diagana explained that extensions are allowable, but the city would have to demonstrate a lack of capacity in specific areas, such as water, transportation, infrastructure, transit services, fire protection services, etc.
CM Mora asked for an exemption, but Director Liz Stead said NO; “the city planned for this level of development… this was anticipated…” Stead believes that an exemption is not an option for any Burien neighborhood. She added, “We have planned for it [city growth] and we are ready for it.”
Stead gave no credence to the council member’s request for an emergency exemption or extension. There was some grumbling from the remaining attendees in the gallery, but the proposal for an exemption dropped.
Planning Commission Chair Shelli Park shared, “Seahurst is a beautiful park, and the ability for families to be able to afford to live there, to have some smaller units that are more affordable.” She noted it was a driving force in the planning commission discussions.
Additional comments from council:
- DM Moore motioned to amend neighborhood business closing times to 8pm instead of 9pm, citing safety issues. It passed unanimously.
- Mayor Schilling discussed Tier-1 versus Tier-2 designation.
- CM Akey expressed concerns about “overzoning” in some neighborhoods. She wants to allow development where people want it, but be respectful to areas where zoning does not make sense. She wants to review the Comp Plan as soon as possible.
- CM Garcia commented this is a “housing crisis” not just an “affordable housing crisis.”
- Mayor Schilling intends to start the Comp Plan review process this year.
In a 4-3 vote, Zoning Ordinance 868 will be on the Agenda for the June 30 meeting, in order to meet the state deadline. Dissenting votes from Schilling, Akey, and Mora.
The nearly 5-hour meeting was adjourned at 10:18 PM.
One Response
How is it possible that this city council does not understand their role, the process, or the schedule for one of the most critical regulatory updates for this city. The council has been completely hoodwinked by planning staff who don’t even live in this city, and an activist volunteer planning committee. The Planning Director should be summarily fired and the Planning Council dismissed. Council Members your lack of leadership is shining like a bright light – you have been played.