Neighborhoods

The Comprehensive Plan update will focus on the following:

• Integration of equity into the planning and engagement process and policy development
• Housing to meet state requirements and local household needs for affordable ownership and rental housing, especially “missing middle” housing
• Employment opportunities and jobs capacity to meet growth targets and improve jobs-housing balance
• Regulations and incentives to realize Burien’s vision for mixed uses, gathering spaces, affordable housing, and job opportunities in Downtown, 1st Ave, Five Corners
• Avoiding and addressing displacement risks for housing and jobs
• Equitable access to parks, recreation, and services
• Supporting transportation by all modes including active transportation like pedestrian and bike facilities, long-term maintenance, and capital investments
• Airport policies and compatibility
• Healthy communities promoting clean air and water, trees, and noise management
• Climate resilience to adapt and protect our places and people from extreme heat, flooding or sea level rise
• Critical areas (streams, wetlands) restoration and green infrastructure (like rain gardens)
• Human services and meeting people’s needs
• Creating effective, streamlined, and implementable plans that guide and direct development and investment

• What is a Comprehensive Plan?
  A Comprehensive Plan guides Burien’s physical development over 20 or more years including desires for housing and job growth, community character, capital investments in infrastructure and services, and policies and regulations. The Plan is informed by and addresses community values and needs.
• How will this affect me?
  An updated Comprehensive Plan can impact housing choices, the location of jobs, walking/biking/car mobility, parks and recreation opportunities, and overall public services. The Comprehensive Plan and updated policies can help all of Burien.
• Why do we have to accept growth?
  In Washington State laws and policies determine that growth be directed to some areas and away from others. Burien is in an urban area that will always have growth directed to it, and we’re required to accommodate the growth distributed to our city while protecting critical areas and providing for parks and open space.  Growing “up not out” helps protect regional natural resources like farmlands and forests.
• Why are we updating the Plan now? Why not wait?
  The GMA requires Comprehensive Plans to be updated periodically. The State deadline is December 31, 2024. Also, updating housing, transportation, economic development and other elements can meet critical community needs.
• When will there be community engagement for the Comprehensive Plan?
  Burien has developed multiple ways for the community to be involved in this update. We are trying to make sure we are reaching people where they are at and making it easy to participate in this process. 

The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is an environmental review of growth alternatives to help guide community discussion on growth options and priorities. The Environmental review for the Comprehensive Plan update will meet the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) requirements and will consist of a number of natural and built environment elements.

The environmental review will be shared with the community in draft and final stages of the Comprehensive Plan.

The City of Burien established a committee in early 2023 to help advise City staff on a major update to Burien’s Comprehensive Plan. The advisory committee is one of many groups of stakeholders advising the City on the Burien community’s needs and wishes for its future. The committee will provide recommendations to the Burien City Council. Learn more about the committee and how to watch and participate in their meetings.

General Information

• Burien Community Profile

Middle Housing

• Burien Housing Policy Evaluation: Racially Disparate Impacts, Displacement, and Exclusion in Housing
• RDI Fact Sheets (includes English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Amharic translations)
• Spring 2023 Housing Community Engagement Summary
• June 2023 Middle Housing Staff Report
• June 2023 Middle Housing Staff Report Attachments

Climate

• Burien Climate Vulnerability Assessment
• Burien Climate Vulnerability Index StoryMap

Urban Center and Economic Development

• Burien Economic Development Analysis
• Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) Memo

• Draft Ambaum and Boulevard Park Community Plan (published December 15, 2022)
  • Appendix A: Engagement Summaries
  • Appendix B: Existing Conditions
  • Appendix C: Market Conditions
• Draft Environmental Impact Statement (published December 15, 2022)

Project Fact Sheets

• Community Plans and Planned Action

Planning

• Burien Comprehensive Plan (last updated 2021)
• Burien Zoning Code (last updated 2020)

Housing and Economic Development

• Burien Housing Action Plan (2021)
• Burien Housing Assessment (2020)
• Transit Corridor Redevelopment Gap Analysis (2013)
• Burien Economic Development Partnership Industry Targets and Supporting Strategies (2019)

Transportation

• Transportation Master Plan (2012)
• Burien Road Design and Construction Standards (2016)

Ambaum Blvd Corridor and Boulevard Park Study Areas

Download detailed PDF. Boundaries of proposed study areas may change.

• 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.