Share your feedback! What kind of themes, art styles, and focus do you want to see in the murals? Please take this quick survey by Tuesday, April 21 to share your thoughts and help us shape a more colorful, connected Burien.
The Economic Development Division has been granted a one-time award of $200,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to invest in beautifying commercial areas, creating a sense of community, and inviting locals and tourists alike to visit Burien for the art and stay to support our businesses!
In partnership with Urban Artworks, we are installing twelve high-quality professionally created murals at several commercial corridors in Burien.
This place making initiative would further identify Burien as a community that is built upon and driven by the arts, create tourism opportunities, and discourage graffiti in repeat locations of high visibility to the community and visitors. The aim of the program would be to improve and enhance economic viability by attracting visitors, customers, and residents to various commercial districts of Burien.
Get Involved
Your feedback is important:
Share your input! What kind of themes, art styles, and focus do you want to see in the murals? Please take this quick survey by Tuesday, April 21 to share your thoughts and help us shape a more colorful, connected Burien.
The City of Burien is developing a new citywide signage system for parks and public facilities. This initiative aims to enhance the experience for residents and visitors while creating a unified and consistent design across all wayfinding elements in both urban and neighborhood areas. The new signage will also help foster a shared identity for Burien’s neighborhoods, highlighting our community’s rich diversity, vibrant arts and culture, and beautiful natural environment.
Get Involved
Share your feedback:
Take our survey by January 30, 2026! This online form will take approximately five minutes to complete.
Your responses to the online survey will be anonymous and an email is not required.
This project will establish a comprehensive parks and facilities wayfinding signage system that will build upon the public engagement work from the Downtown Wayfinding Signage Plan. It will also create additional signage designs that project a consistent citywide image, help shape the identity of place (such as integrated placemaking and art elements) and a sense of belonging while contributing significantly toward the satisfaction of visitors and community pride as well as ownership among residents.
From community feedback, City staff will work with the consultant to make last refinements to finalize the conceptual signage design and move towards construction for the first phase of implementation signage.
Project Timeline
Summer 2025
Conduct focus group workshops
Fall 2025
Gather community feedback
Winter 2026
Finalize plan for wayfinding signage in parks and facilities
Winter-Spring 2026
Conduct pilot project for new design
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) has awarded the City of Burien a grant to benchmark our urban forestry program and urban forest against the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard. The funding will help the City engage with our community to gather feedback and evaluate our program’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges. The insights gained from this analysis will help guide future initiatives through the Green Burien Partnership, including our goal to equitably increase canopy cover to 40% by 2038.
Background Information
In Burien, our “urban forest” means all the trees, plants, and the soil that supports them across the city—along streets, in parks like Seahurst Park and Dottie Harper Park, in natural areas like Salmon Creek Ravine, along streets, and in front and back yards. Healthy trees help keep our air and water clean, provide shade and cooling, and make our neighborhoods more beautiful. The Green Burien Partnership brings neighbors and partners together to care for these places.
Burien’s urban forest provides vital ecological, social, and economic benefits, including cooling the city, mitigating stormwater runoff, and enhancing the community’s quality of life. These green assets bolster climate resilience, biodiversity, and wellbeing throughout the city.
Three City departments largely manage trees. The Community Development Department manages trees on private property, the Public Works Department manages trees along streets and roads, and Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department (PaRCS) manages trees in public parks. The City of Burien’s urban forest management includes policies, operational practices, resources, and regulations governing both public and private vegetation. This includes street tree planting and stewardship, as well as Burien Municipal Code (BMC) 19.26 private‑property tree code and BMC 12.38 public-property tree code requiring permits for removal of trees, topping, or pruning beyond 25%.
Under the Green Burien Partnership Urban Forest Stewardship Plan (2020), the City aspires to reach 40% tree canopy coverage in Burien by 2038. Community-driven projects, from noxious weed species removal to tree planting, are organized through the Green Burien Partnership, which also prioritizes inclusivity by offering paid volunteer and internship opportunities in recognition of the city’s diverse demographics.
The City received a grant from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) to benchmark our urban forestry program against their new standard for urban and community forestry. This cross-departmental collaboration will help identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement. As we move through the process, we will be asking for input from the community. For more information, watch the presentation from staff and an SFI representative at the Burien City Council’s September 22, 2025 meeting.
The City of Burien recently adopted the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update which plans for future housing and future jobs in the community. Now the City is implementing the Comprehensive Plan by preparing a zoning proposal to remove barriers for new and diverse job opportunities and support current residents. The City will work with the community to develop new zoning proposal alternatives for the area north of South 138th Street to South 128th Street along Des Moines Memorial Drive. The goal of this engagement process is for the community to inform the alternative zoning proposals for the project area for Planning Commission and consideration by the Burien City Council.
Get Involved
Your feedback is important:
Email us! Share questions and comments directly using the project contact email on this page.
Attend Planning Commission Meetings! Meeting schedules and materials are posted online.
Watch for mailers! Every property owner within the project area will receive updates.
Upcoming Events
This project will be presented and shared publicly throughout the process. The Planning Commission will be briefed on the project and hold a public hearing where they will make a recommendation to the City Council. Final action to amend the Burien Municipal Code and Official Zoning Map will be made by the City Council. This section will be updated frequently with scheduled meetings and links to the meeting packets.
Planning Commission meeting packets are typically published online one week in advance of the meeting.
Past City of Burien planning efforts in 1997, 2010, and 2024 demonstrated an interest in expanding industrial land uses in this area. The Northeast Redevelopment Area (NERA) planning study began in 1997, with a Redevelopment Plan and Implementation Strategy adopted in 2010. Because of these efforts, the area is currently referred to as “North of NERA”. However, one goal of this project is to rename the project area in partnership with the community based on the preferred alternative.
The project area is between South 128th Street and South 138th Street, west of Des Moines Memorial Drive.
Project Timeline
Summer 2025
Project Starts
Fall 2025
Early Engagement and Research
Winter 2026
Solicit Community Feedback
Spring 2026
Planning Commission Selects Preferred Alternative
Summer 2026
City Council Review and Adoption
The Economic Development Division has been granted a one-time award of $50,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to help expand healthy food access in the Boulevard Park neighborhood. We are interested in funding a community-led solution that will provide a meaningful starting point for expanding healthy food access to residents of Boulevard Park.
Get Involved
Your feedback is important:
Attend an event. Periodically, Economic Development staff will be out in the community for you to provide your feedback and ask questions.
Complete a Request for Proposal. The City of Burien is requesting proposals from qualified organizations who can assist the City in providing fresh produce and food options in the Boulevard Park neighborhood commercial core. Residents expressed interest in providing more fresh produce, grocery store staples, and culturally relevant food options in the commercial core. Applications are due April 22, 2026
Burien residents living in the Boulevard Park neighborhood have experienced limited access to healthy and diverse options for many years. In May 2019, the neighborhood’s Thriftway grocery store closed. The store owner went to great lengths to attract another grocery store to take over the space, but was unsuccessful. This project seeks to empower community members to identify meaningful starting points to expand healthy food access in Boulevard Park.
Funding Source
The Burien City Council approved a plan in September 2022 to invest $10.8 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) federal funds to help Burien bounce back faster from pandemic-related impacts. $1.7 million was directed to economic development initiatives. Some of these one-time funds are being used for this project.
Community Engagement
City of Burien economic development staff introduced the Healthy Food Access in Boulevard Park project at Boulevard Park Library on May 28, 2025 during the City Chat with the City Manager monthly event. Economic Development Manager Chris Craig gave a brief overview of the division and the funding. Administrative Assistant Emma Nielsen introduced the healthy food access project and facilitated a discussion with community members. Eight Burien residents were in attendance, with a majority living in Boulevard Park. Deputy Mayor Sarah Moore and Councilmember Hugo Garcia were in attendance. All participants contributed to a rich discussion regarding the current state of healthy food access in Boulevard Park, and discussed a wide variety of potential solutions to expanding healthy food access in the area.
Based on the discussion, it appears that residents would appreciate the following criteria for expanding healthy food access:
Requirements: walkable, minimum frequency of once per week, consistency so folks can plan (food security), mindful about naming and language (accessible and translated language), and outreach to be inclusive and welcoming.
Would like to include elements of sustainability and activation, including: community gathering, resource sharing, and local artist engagement.
The Economic Development Division created an online survey and is attending Boulevard Park Block Party on August 23, 2025 to continue gathering more feedback from Boulevard Park residents to inform the community preference for the direction of this project.
Project Timeline
September 2022
Council Approves Funding
The Burien City Council approved Economic Development Initiatives for $1.7M, of which $50,000 in ARPA funding may be invested to expand healthy food access in the Boulevard Park neighborhood.
April 2025
Work Group Formed
Economic Development Division staff meet with a work group composed of City of Burien staff, a City Councilmember, a Boulevard Park resident, and a founder of a non-profit, to become more informed about Boulevard Park and to brainstorm solutions and outreach methods for the project.
May 2025
Project Introduced
The Coffee Chat with the City Manager event at the Boulevard Park Library Branch, promoted on social media channels, was used to introduce the Healthy Food Access project and to gather feedback from residents about healthy food access in the Boulevard Park neighborhood.
August 2025
Survey Launches
The Economic Development Division will launch a digital survey to solicit further feedback from a larger percentage of residents in the Boulevard Park neighborhood who were unable to attend the Coffee Chat with the City Manager event to assess their needs and ideas for addressing this issue.
March-April 2026
Request for Proposals
The Economic Development Division plans to launch a request for proposals and disperse funding to the awardee of the chosen community focus to address healthy food access.
We are writing the next chapter of housing in Burien! On June 30, 2025, the Burien City Council approved Ordinance No. 868 adopting changes to the Burien Municipal Code and update the official zoning map of the City expanding the number and type of housing units permitted in residential zones across the city.
The Housing Code and Zoning Map Amendment project is an essential step to implementing the housing goals and land use plan of the Burien 2044 Comprehensive Plan. These amendments focus on achieving equitable housing growth, mitigating displacement, removing impediments to development, and meeting state legislative requirements.
The Housing Code and Zoning Map Amendments go into effect on July 9, 2025. See the official zoning map and a clean version of the code amendments here until the BMC is updated.
All types of homes are affordable abundant, safe, and accessible to all Burien residents – now and in the future – regardless of income, race, family structure, household size, personal ability, or stage of life. – Housing Element Vision Statement, Burien 2044 Comprehensive Plan
Over the last couple of years, the state legislature has passed laws to direct the minimum changes necessary for implementation.
The Housing Code and Zoning Amendments effort will address the following:
HB 1110, passed in 2023 and SB 2321 requires regulations allowing for middle housing on all lots zoned predominantly for residential use.
HB 1337, passed in 2023 requires regulations allowing two ADUs per lot.
Middle Housing
What is middle housing?
“Middle housing” is a term used to refer to residential developments that are more dense than single-family housing and less dense than a typical midrise apartment building, but similar in scale to single-family homes. Middle housing types can be identified by the building form of the structure and the number of units within it.
The City finds that critical areas provide a variety of valuable and beneficial biological and physical functions that benefit the city and its residents including water quality protection and enhancement, fish and wildlife habitat, food chain support, flood storage, ground water recharge and discharge, aesthetic value, recreation, and beyond. To implement the goals, policies, and requirements of the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), the Growth Management Act, the Washington State Shoreline Management Act, and the Burien 2044 Comprehensive Plan, the city applies additional regulations, restrictions, and limitations on the development of properties containing environmental critical areas and associated buffers.
Chapter 19.40 Critical Areas of the Burien Municipal Code (BMC) regulates the development of property containing critical areas such as, frequently flooded areas, geological hazardous areas (erosion, landslide, and seismic hazardous areas), wetlands, streams, fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, and critical aquifer recharge areas. Title 20 of the BMC is the Shoreline Master Program which regulates the development within the shoreline including approximately five miles of the marine shoreline along the Puget Sound and Lake Burien. Regardless of the zoning map and development regulation amendments, any property for which environmental critical areas, shorelines are their associated buffers are present must comply with the restrictions and limitation of Chapter BMC 19.40 Critical Areas and BMC Title 20 Shoreline Master Program.
The City of Burien’s Community Development Department is working to update the City’s Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) as a part of implementing Burien 2044 Comprehensive Plan and as required by the Growth Management Act. Visit the Critical Areas Ordinance Update Hub page to follow along.
Visit the City of Burien Map Library or reach out to a city planner via email at planning@burienwa.gov or over the phone at (206) 241-4647 to determine if your property contains mapped environmental critical areas.
Project Timeline
January – March 2025
Community Informational Sessions and Develop Draft Amendments
7/9/2025 Housing Code and Zoning Map Amendments Enacted
The City of Burien has identified the replacement of the Chelsea Park Playground as a priority project in the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Capital Improvement Plan. This project is funded through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars and represents an important investment in the health, recreation, and wellbeing of the surrounding neighborhood. In addition to replacing aging play equipment, the City seeks to engage the community in shaping the design, look, and feel of the new playground. This process will also explore opportunities to incorporate public art that reflects the park’s identity, celebrates community stories, and fosters a sense of place, belonging, and welcome for all who visit Chelsea Park.
Get Involved
Be on the lookout for new opportunities!
Subscribe to Updates
Join the PaRCS email newsletter list to get updates on this project and other department news.
This project will replace the existing playground equipment and park furnishings at Chelsea Park that are 24 years old and have reached the end of service life. The new equipment will fit within the existing footprint and have age-appropriate features for the two primary age groups: 2- to 5-year-old tot and 5- to 12-year-old youth.
From community feedback, City staff will work with a playground equipment manufacturer on the final design for the primary play feature and incorporate secondary play toys as space and budget allow.
This project is funded by the City of Burien and King County Community Development Block Grant funding provided through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Existing Equipment
Existing play equipment in Chelsea Park in Burien.
Project Timeline
Mid 2026
Gather community feedback
Late 2026
Construction
Late 2026
Playground re-opens for use
The City of Burien is updating our Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) to reduce risks from natural and human-caused hazards. Your input will help us update our five-year plan for 2025.
This plan provides long-term strategies for reducing the impacts of disasters in Burien such as earthquakes, floods, fires, and landslides. Disasters take a heavy toll on communities by destroying life, property, critical infrastructure, and natural systems. They can also disrupt local economies, sometimes permanently. The HMP represents Burien’s commitment to creating and maintaining a resilient community if disaster strikes.
Get Involved
Share your feedback:
Send us an email with questions or comments on the draft update of our hazard plan
Summer/Fall 2024 – Public Engagement and Plan Development
Community and stakeholder engagement including a survey
Spring 2025 – Finalize Plan
Review, refine, and finalize Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Coordinate with King County to meet County and FEMA regulations.
Summer 2025 – Plan Complete
Submit plan to King County for annexation into regional hazard plan.
The City of Burien is updating our housing regulations to better address housing types for those who are experiencing or are at risk of experiencing homelessness.
A number of these facilities already exist in the city, and some have been here for decades. Due to recent changes in state law, the city is required to update the Burien Municipal Code to expand housing types and ensure there is adequate capacity to accommodate the City’s share of need by 2044.
“STEP” housing stands for emergency shelters, transitional housing, emergency housing, and permanent supportive housing.
Comply with the State’s Growth Management Act and regional planning requirements.
Define and regulate new housing types in the Burien Municipal Code designed to meet the needs of those experiencing or at imminent risk of becoming homeless.
Provide sufficient capacity to accommodate 759 Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) units and 1,433 emergency beds by 2044.
Washington State passed House Bill 1220 (HB 1220) in 2021, amending the Growth Management Act and municipal code requirements (RCW 36.70A.070(2), RCW 35A.21.430 and RCW 35.21.683). The law requires local governments to plan for and accommodate housing affordable to all income levels by 2044. For more information and resources, the Washington State Department of Commerce has prepared the following STEP Housing informational handouts.
The City of Burien’s projected housing needs for 2019-2044 as ratified by the King County Countywide Planning Policies is 7,500 total net new housing units. These housing units are broken down by affordability level. As illustrated in the bar graph below, Burien needs 1,433 emergency beds and 759 units of permanent supportive housing units by 2044.
Housing units needed in Burien by 2044.
The amendments to the Burien Municipal Code will address four new housing types. These housing types include indoor emergency shelter, transitional housing, emergency housing, and permanent supportive housing, which together are commonly referred to as STEP Housing. Emergency shelter and emergency housing are required to be allowed in areas where hotels or motels are permitted, and permanent supportive housing and transitional housing must be allowed in any zones where residential dwellings and hotels are allowed.
Compliance with HB 1220 is not just a legal obligation—it’s an opportunity to address a gap in housing types necessary to create a safer and more supportive environment for those experiencing homelessness. While the City must meet state requirements, we are also exploring additional housing solutions that best serve our community and are interested in your ideas.
Project Timeline
August 2024
Review and Analysis
Review state, regional, and county-wide requirements, analyze best practices and local case studies, and evaluate how to best incorporate changes to the Burien Municipal Code.
September 2024
Public Engagement and Draft Development Regulations
Conduct community and stakeholder engagement to share information and gather ideas and concerns to inform draft proposed development regulations.
October 2024
Review
Review of draft regulations and additional public engagement.
November 2024
Plan Adoption
Final adoption by the City Council.
The Burien Neighborhood Grants Program supports community members who want to improve the quality of life in Burien neighborhoods. The program strives to encourage projects that foster connection and create community improvements in an equitable manner. Through this program, the City of Burien will provide up to $5,000 of funding per project which the neighborhood matches with local resources of volunteer labor, donated materials, donated professional services, or cash.
City of Burien Urban Forest Planner, Josh Petter, assists students from Highline Big Picture School during their planting project.Tree planting at Salmon Creek Park.Shoveling mulch at Dottie Harper Park.
Project Timeline
January 2026
Initial application round opens
January -March 2026
Application support available
April 1, 2026
Initial application round closes
The first round of applications for Neighborhood Grants will be reviewed starting April 1, 2026, and a second round of applications will be reviewed starting June 15th, 2026.
April-May 2026
Applicants work with staff to refine proposals
December 31, 2026
Deadline for project completion
The City of Burien Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services (PaRCS) worked with the community to develop a vision plan for future improvements at Hilltop Park. This project built on the work begun by theHilltop Park Activation and Reimagination Project which gathered input on desired improvements from Hilltop Elementary students and park neighbors through theGreen Burien Partnership. Community input was also sought through the City of Burien’s Shape Your City initiative.
Get Involved
There are several ways you can get involved:
Sign up for the Burien Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services email newsletter for project updates
The Hilltop Park Vision Plan Project facilitates future improvements to the park by performing environmental and geotechnical studies, and a topographic survey, which were used to inform the design of park improvements in a vision plan and schematic design (or 30% design documents).
Environmental studies conducted include a Critical Areas Report and Buffer Mitigation Plan for the wetland area, and environmental compliance review. Other work included Site Surveying, select geotechnical borings and report, and preparation of land use permits.
Once the design team understood the limitations of the site based on these studies, that knowledge was combined with the community’s priorities for park improvements and used to develop two vision plan themes and cost estimates. The themes were presented to community members for input, which were used to refine the themes into one final vision plan.
The vision plan became the basis for 30% schematic design documents. The schematic design and associated cost estimate will be used in budgetary planning for the long-term capital improvements plan and to seek funding for final construction documents and construction of park improvements.
Concept Themes and Vision Plan
The community was asked to provide input on the two park vision plan concepts, the Environmental Education Theme and the Community Theme, through online survey and two in-person open houses. Both themes feature a new ADA park entry, play equipment, a paved loop path, waterless restroom, drinking fountain, picnic tables, and open lawn field with the following differences.
Environmental Education Theme
Outdoor Classroom
Exercise Areas
Expanded Nature Trail
Large Playfield
Community Theme
Off-leash dog area
Community Garden
Small Playfield
Multiple Pavilions
After reviewing the survey results and in-person community feedback, it was determined the community theme concept best represented the vision for Hilltop Park. Additional community feedback showed a desire for an expanded nature trail network, more smaller picnic shelters and additional play and exercise opportunities. These amenities were incorporated into the community theme concept to create the final Hilltop Park Vision Plan.
Next Steps
With schematic design and cost estimating complete, the PaRCS Department is working on funding strategies for future construction of the vision plan.
Funding
This project is funded by the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) and the City of Burien.
Project Timeline
July 2023
Project kick-off
July-September 2023
Site investigations and environmental studies
August-October 2023
Vision plan alternatives
November 2023
Community feedback on vision plan alternatives
November-December 2023
Preferred vision plan
December 2023-January 2024
Community feedback on preferred vision plan
January -March 2024
Schematic design
The City of Burien has developed an economic development action plan. City staff and advisory board members worked together to build consensus on priority actions that will help improve the economic vitality of our community.
The action plan contains specific economic development goals, strategies, and implementation measures as well as an implementation plan, outlining the timing, anticipated cost, and funding source of each implementation action.
Looking to add shade, beauty, and value to your property? The City of Burien is giving away free trees to Burien residents this fall. It’s a great opportunity to enhance your landscape while helping expand our community’s urban forest.
Healthy forested parks and green spaces have the power to strengthen neighborhoods, provide safe access to nature, and provide many benefits to the environment. Without a coordinated effort to restore and care for our forests, we are at risk of losing many benefits of these forests and natural areas.
The Green Burien Partnership brings together community members and private and public agency partners to restore and care for Burien’s parks and urban forests. The Partnership’s activities include:
Community outreach and engagement to guide project prioritization and implementation.
Development of a 20-year plan for restoring forests and increasing the amount of tree canopy across the three cities.
Implementation of projects and volunteer programs that organize local neighbors and community groups to plant indigenous plants, remove weedy plant species, and meet restoration goals.
The Green Burien Partnership relies on a network of individuals, organizations, staff, and volunteers. All partners are essential for the success of the project.
Other key partners have played an essential role in defining the goals of the partnership, volunteering in their community, offering their expertise, and increasing canopy cover by planting trees in their yards or patios:
City of Burien
Port of Seattle
Washington State Department of Natural Resources
King County Conversation District
Highline Public Schools
Elected officials
Nonprofit, faith-based, and community groups
Businesses
Youth groups and clubs
Landowners
Individuals like you
How is it funded?
The Green Burien Partnership receives funding from the City of Burien General Fund and grants.
The City of Burien worked with community stakeholders to re-imagine the long-term future of our city through a coordinated planning effort combining major updates to the Comprehensive Plan, a new Transportation Master Plan, an update to the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan, and a new Economic Development Action Plan.
Specifically, this planning process focuses on land use, economic development, human services, environmental protection, infrastructure, transportation, parks and open spaces, recreation programs, public art, and cultural services. Results of this planning effort will guide policymaking, operational plans, and budgets for the next twenty years.
Comprehensive Plan
The City of Burien embarked on a major update to its Comprehensive Plan. This effort will help Burien plan and build for the next few decades. Planning for this growth helps us build a city with an equitable, sustainable, and healthy future.
The Transportation Master Plan helps determine our community’s current and future transportation needs, guiding how we invest in transportation over the next 20 years.
The Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan is a six-year strategic plan for the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department. The plan looks at the existing conditions, identifies gaps in facilities and programs, and offers strategies, projects, and programs to address those gaps.
The Economic Development Action Plan contains specific economic development goals, strategies, and implementation measures and an implementation plan, outlining the timing, anticipated cost, and funding source of each implementation action.
Develop a shared vision to guide planning and policy development.
November 2022-June 2023
Community Stories and Strategies
Staff will communicate what we have heard to date and present draft strategies and projects for feedback.
July 2023-January 2024
Community Review
Staff drafts plans, and community will provide feedback on each plan.
January 2024-October 2024
Legislative Review
Plans go before Burien City Council for review and approval. Public comment accepted.
March-October 2024
Plans Adopted
All plans adopted by end of year.
The City of Burien completed a community planning process along the Ambaum Blvd corridor and in the Boulevard Park neighborhood to plan for thriving, transit-friendly neighborhoods and successful business districts in the Ambaum Blvd corridor and Boulevard Park neighborhood. The plans were approved on October 28, 2024 when the Burien 2044 Comprehensive Plan was passed by the Burien City Council.
After years of community input, we’ve developed draft zoning code amendments and design standards designed to implement the Burien 2044 Comprehensive Plan, Ambaum and Boulevard Park Community Plan, and Burien Urban Center Plan. See the links below to review draft zoning code and explore an interactive map. These will be presented at a public hearing on November 4, 2024 and the Burien City Council will take action on November 18, 2024. Find agenda packets online once they are published ahead of each meeting.
Articulate a vision and action strategies to meet community and citywide goals.
Engage with diverse members of the community, including people typically not engaged in civic processes.
Evaluate city regulations with an eye toward walkable business districts to support housing and business district strategies, development feasibility, urban design and public space goals, walkability, cultural expression, and community health.
Recommend new land use and zoning standards, and adjustments to city regulations for consideration by the Burien Planning Commission and City Council.
Apply a race and social equity lens to all of the work, including engagement, analysis and recommendations.
Project Timeline
Early 2021
Review and Analysis
We will evaluate data and consider environmental and equity factors.
Mid-2021
Public Engagement and Plan Development
Community and stakeholder engagement and advisory committee will solicit ideas to create a shared vision.
Mid-2022
Plan Development
We will refine and test ideas and proposals and consider urban design. Implementation steps will be presented. Plan will be refined with advisory group and community stakeholders. Plan and zoning code amendments will be drafted. SEPA environmental review will occur.
Fall 2024
Plan Adoption
The plan will go before Planning Commision and City Council for review and adoption. Community plans and a zoning ordinance will be adopted.
On October 23, 2023, the Burien City Council adopted a five-year strategic plan to help both the City Council and staff identify areas where we need to focus our efforts. The plan will set the tone for budgeting priorities and staff work planning. The strategic planning process was a collaborative effort between the City Council and City of Burien staff. Feedback from community gathered through public workshops and the Community Survey guided the strategic planning process. Progress will be regularly reviewed by the City Council and the City staff and updates will be shared with the community on this dashboard.
Burien’s Focus for the Next Five Years
Through 2028, the City of Burien will prioritize:
Achieving Financial Stability
Achieving Racial Equity
Centering Community Accountability
Reshaping Community Through Smart, Mindful Development
We will continue to strive to deliver core services, meet regulatory requirements, and ensure the community’s key infrastructure needs are met. This strategic plan identifies how the Burien City Council and City of Burien staff will advance these shared commitments through 2028. A forecasted revenue gap, however, may affect our ability to meet community needs.
Achieving Financial Stability
Strategic Direction Progress:
50
GOAL: Define current and future financial outlook and budget needs
Strategy
Status
Confirm structural deficit and define long-term budget needs
Complete
Evaluate and present councilmanic and voter-approved revenue options, including ballot measures, permit fees, utility taxes, solid waste fees, B&O tax, etc.
In progress
Work with the community, City Council, and staff to determine service-level cuts that will be required if voter-approved ballot measures fail
Not started
GOAL: Implement Councilmanic revenue options
Strategy
Status
Act on revenue options
Complete
GOAL: Implement voter-approved revenue options
Strategy
Status
Develop a ballot measure plan that involves the development of an advisory committee, gathering community feedback on defining services that new revenues would fund, and creating a community education campaign
In progress
Consider creation of a Metropolitan Parks District
Not started
Success Metrics for Achieving Financial Stability
Financial consultant has completed financial outlook
Staff and financial consultants have made presentations to the City Council
Councilmanic options and ballot measure implemented
Achieving Racial Equity
Strategic Direction Progress:
40
GOAL: Understand current programs, hiring, and practices through an equity lens
Strategy
Status
Develop equity impact tool for all departments and City Council to support identification, evaluation, and communication of potential impact, both positive and negative, of a policy, plan, or program on equity
In progress
Audit current programs and practices using an equity impact tool
In progress
GOAL: Establish internal framework and structures to support equity goals
Strategy
Status
Finalize the charter for the Advancing Racial Equity (ARE) Committee
Complete
Develop an ARE Action Plan with metrics (inclusive of internal and external audit and community engagement)
Not started
GOAL: Establish a training program for the City of Burien organization
Strategy
Status
Implement a training program for the City of Burien organization
Not started
Success Metrics for Achieving Racial Equity
Committee has clarity about focus, goals, roles, and responsibilities
Burien policies, plans, and programs advance opportunity and reduce harm to our community members
All staff have a common understanding of anti-racism and their role in that work
Burien has clarity about a vision and action steps for the 2025-26 biennium
Centering Community Accountability
Strategic Direction Progress:
58
GOAL: Customer service experience improved in prioritized areas
Strategy
Status
Launch online permit system
Complete
Launch and maintain new community service request system and internal customer service workflow (issue reporting)
Complete
Launch external Laserfiche electronic content sharing and management system
In progress
GOAL: Strengthen citywide community engagement and communications capacity
Strategy
Status
Internal Community Engagement Committee formed
Complete
Community engagement training opportunities offered to staff
In progress
Community engagement and communications plan co-created with community stakeholders developed and implemented
Not started
Maintain Burien Community Connectors program
Complete
Contract with community-based organizations to collaborate on engagement activities
In progress
City 101 virtual program launched
In progress
GOAL: Digital engagement infrastructure maintained, expanded, and adapted to meet community need and expectation
Strategy
Status
New Burien website (burienwa.gov) launched
In progress
Update digital communications and engagement strategy
Not started
Launch and maintain capital projects public dashboard
In progress
Success Metrics for Centering Community Accountability
Time to respond to issues reduced
People impacted by projects, programs, and policies are more engaged
New and more members of community participating in civic processes
Community can find essential information and access online City services easily in formats that are accessible and meet their needs
Reshaping Community through Smart, Mindful Development
Strategic Direction Progress:
54
GOAL: Achieve major planning and policymaking efforts
Strategy
Status
Economic Development Action Plan approved
Complete
Comprehensive Plan update approved
Complete
Transportation Master Plan approved
Complete
Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan approved
Complete
Critical area policy updates approved
In progress
Comprehensive Plan for five-year anniversary underway
Not started
GOAL: New zoning and design standards approved
Strategy
Status
Ambaum and Boulevard Park zoning code amendments with design standards adopted
Complete
Expansion of Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) or affordable housing zoning adopted as part of Ambaum Boulevard Park Subarea Plan
Complete
Subdivision section of the zoning code amendments adopted
South King Housing and Homelessness Partners (SKHHP) affordable housing monitoring program established
Not started
Extend or expand the Affordable Housing Demonstration Program
In progress
Align City policy and planning documents with Washington State Affordable Housing Finance Commission scoring criteria for affordable housing tax credit awards
Not started
Advocacy with state and federal delegations for increased Low Income Housing Tax Credit funding for development of affordable housing
In progress
Consider or create an inclusionary affordable housing code standard when market conditions would make such a program feasible
Not started
Deepen the affordability requirements associated with MFTE when market conditions would make such a change feasible
Not started
Create a shared parking program in downtown to reduce the cost of building new parking in new housing developments
Not started
Attract developments that benefit the local community, including walkable amenities and services
In progress
GOAL: Attract new businesses and development
Strategy
Status
Permit system goes live for improved permit tracking and customer service
Complete
First round of targeted investment attraction campaign complete
Complete
Developer and property owner economic development opportunity sessions: Boulevard Park, Urban Center, Ambaum
In progress
Outreach to regional developers to consider Urban Center development in advance of rezones
In progress
Boulevard Park targeted development attraction campaign to begin once zoning code amendments are in process or complete
Not started
If MFTE program is expanded, a targeted marketing campaign to inform developers
In progress
Redesign of Burien’s gateway at 1st Ave S and SW 148th St
In progress
GOAL: Optimize opportunity sites
Strategy
Status
King County issues request for proposals for downtown transit-oriented development site
In progress
Kinect@Burien development complete and open
Complete
Mary’s Place affordable family housing under construction
In progress
Evaluate highest and best use for downtown City-owned properties
In progress
DESC permanent supportive housing construction complete
Complete
Port of Seattle issues RFP for a 10+-acre site on S 152nd St and Des Moines Memorial Drive
Not started
Success Metrics for Reshaping Community through Smart, Mindful Development
Increase in the quality and diversity of jobs citywide
Increase in housing citywide
Increase in housing affordable to all income bands
Preservation strategies in place for naturally-occurring affordable housing
Comprehensive Plan (Burien 2044), Transportation Master Plan, Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan, Economic Development Action Plan approved
Increased development potential for commercially-zoned properties
Middle housing zoning in place
Urban Center and 1st Ave S mixed use/commercial zoning in place
Ambaum and Boulevard Park zoning in place
Design standards for residential/commercial sites in neighborhood centers in place
Affordable housing monitoring staff capacity and systems in place through SKHHP
Integrated, online permit system/customer service system launched and supported
Increase in number and valuation of commercial development permits issued
Increase in sales tax revenue
New housing development that meets community needs
More development for government-owned lands in the pipeline
Background Information
How was the Strategic Plan developed?
The strategic planning process was a collaborative effort between the Burien City Council and City of Burien staff. Feedback from community gathered through public workshops and the Community Survey guided the strategic planning process. See Background below for more details.
How will the Plan be implemented?
The Strategic Plan will be central in guiding our actions and investments in the coming years, helping us:
Stay focusedon what is most important, keeping community priorities in front of elected officials and City staff, partners, and community members
Establish aligned efforts across the City organization
Prioritize the use of resources, guiding staff development on budget proposals and framing the City Council’s adoption of a final budget
Progress will be regularly reviewed by the City Council and the City’s Leadership Team and updates will be shared with the community.
Burien Community Vision
A vibrant and creative community, where the residents embrace diversity, celebrate arts and culture, promote vitality, and treasure the environment.
Our Five-year Vision
In the next five years, as a result of our efforts we will see:
Smart, mindful development that equitably accommodates growth
Equal access to opportunity and quality of life
Resources to meet our community’s level-of-service needs
Informed, engaged, connected, diverse community
A sustainable budget that accounts for future growth
Root causes of homelessness addressed and housing in place for all
Our Obstacles
We recognize that we are blocked from our vision by:
Undefined and differing priorities about level-of-service standards
Limited public awareness of how government works and the need to partner externally in many areas
Ineffective and outdated systems
Limited revenue sources, fear about affordability, and honesty about what we need to fund core services
Incomplete and outdated approaches to community engagement
Ineffective ways of hearing from our diverse community
Background
The City Council adopted a four-year strategic plan in 2016, with updates in 2017 and 2018. The priorities that were identified included nurturing a safe, healthy, and dynamic community and supporting a strong City organization.
In 2021, the City Council approved budget for strategic planning. Creative Strategy Solutions was hired to facilitate the strategic planning process.
