The following testimony was presented to the Burien City Council on September 22, 2025 by Three Tree Point resident Dawn Lemmel, who also authorized its publication.
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Over the past five months numerous reporters, both local and regional have asked me if I’d be willing to speak publicly about what I believe the council would do regarding mismanaged and incorrect zoning issues that Burien faces. I told every reporter I was withholding comment and extending good faith towards this council and the city, believing we could work together.
Tonight, I now publicly give full permission for anything I have to say to be repeated, reported, or published.
As citizens, we spoke repeatedly with some of you as you expressed concerns that you too were not made aware of the implications of the zoning proposal. You understood and supported our concerns over both lack of communications from the city, and zoning designated without thoroughly investigating, understanding, and adhering to jurisdictions and guidelines that must be followed regarding critical areas and SMP. [Shoreline Master Plan]
We heard some of you repeatedly express that the process was flawed and should be rectified. In your own words, you literally asked us to trust you and stated you promised to have the comp plan amended if we would just understand that the deadline the city was under. You reassured us you would have our backs and we could work together to fix a wrong.
Lately, beginning with a workshop, it’s been disappointing and disheartening to bear witness to the city not taking accountability in the sense necessary to safeguard its citizens.
Now, we sense that some of you may choose to step back on your commitment to fix the issue.
At the last public meeting, we heard attempted justifications for not addressing the error. A running theme was in actually stating that “if the city fixes it for one, you must open it to fix or it for all.” Yes. If zoning in any area is conflicted with critical areas or SMP, it must be opened and fixed. If a parcel is currently zoned and cannot be developed as such, it should be changed.
Let me again state the issue for anyone who may read about it tomorrow: The zoning process was erroneously designed when absolute requirements and state directed restrictions were not respected, followed or adhered to by the staff. If you do not correct this, you are equally culpable. You ask for communities to trust you and work with us to correct the wrong.
We believed in you then.
This room is partially empty tonight because so many people have lost faith that you’ll do the right thing.
Prove you are worthy of our trust, and direct the city to open and amend the land use and zoning in the comp plan.
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One Response
Absolutely correct!