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
Under Washington State Law, all counties and cities are required to conduct a periodic review and update their critical areas regulations in accordance with RCW 36.70A.130. The City of Burien’s Community Development Department updated the City’s Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) as a part of implementing Burien 2044 Comprehensive Plan and as required by the Growth Management Act.
The Critical Area Ordinance Amendments go into effect on December 30, 2025. See the official zoning map and a clean version of the code amendments here until the online BMC is updated.
Use the Interactive map to see if your property is located within a critical area.
As a part of the Comprehensive Plan update, and as required by the Growth Management Act (GMA), the City reviewed and updated its policies and regulations around critical areas. The Critical Areas Ordinance (BMC 19.40) was last updated in 2015 and must be evaluated and revised every 10 years. With this periodic review update, we provided an opportunity to ensure the City of Burien’s Critical Areas regulations are consistent with federal and state policies and incorporate the best available science related to conservation and natural hazards while also reviewing for administrative efficiencies. This update looked at the best available science and existing conditions, and ensured any proposed amendments were scientifically supported, being both acceptable to Washington State regulators and Burien residents.
What are Critical Areas?
RCW 36.70A.030(11) defines five types of critical areas, which are required to be protected by local development regulations. The five critical areas are as follows:
RCW 36.70A.172 requires all counties and cities in Washington to include “the best available science in developing policies and development regulations to protect function and values of critical area”.
In order to protect the functions and values of critical areas, scientifically valid information should be provided to assist in the discussion and decision-making process in how to best protect each critical area. To include the best available science, the development of critical area regulations requires a record of scientific rational for the policy decisions that maintain the protection of the functions and values of critical areas. To meet the requirements of Washington State Law, the City hired a technical consultant to review the latest scientific data and research to update Burien’s Critical Areas code.
Project Timeline
Mid 2025
Phase 1: Public Outreach and Engagement
Developed and implemented a community engagement strategy to reach community members and other key stakeholders for the CAO update.
2025
Phase 2: Analysis & Review
WAC 365-195-900 requires cities and counties to include “best available science when developing policies and development regulations to protect the functions and values of critical areas”. Scientifically-valid information helped with the evaluation of the existing conditions and informed the CAO updates. City staff worked closely with the consultant team to analyze and review the past CAO, identified issues and opportunities, and documented key protection strategies for best available science-based management of critical areas.
The consultants drafted a preliminary CAO based on the outcomes of the best available science review and gap analysis. When reviewing the BAS recommendations, City staff worked with the consultants to come to an agreement on a comprehensive approach to update the CAO. Throughout the development process, City staff collected public input, which was addressed throughout the process and considered when making policy and regulatory decisions.
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 Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan (PROS Plan) is a six-year strategic plan for the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department. The plan looks at the existing conditions of our facilities and programs, listen to community desires and priorities, identifies gaps in facilities and programs, proposes strategies, projects and programs to address those gaps, and finalizes those strategies and a prioritized capital improvement plan in the final PROS Plan. The 2024-2030 plan was approved on March 18, 2024.
For the 2024-2030 plan, we evaluated the location, quality, and barriers to accessing our current parks, recreation programs and facilities, and cultural services programming. The plan makes recommendations for improving existing facilities and services, priorities for public art, and evaluates feasibility of new parks in key neighborhoods.
Through the Shape Your City initiative, we asked neighbors to provide feedback on all parks, but with a specific focus on needs for a few key parks, including Hilltop Park, Community Center Annex and garden, Jacob Ambaum Park, Chelsea Park, Puget Sound Park, Hazel Valley Park, Southern Heights Park, Manhattan Park, Moshier Memorial Park, and Salmon Creek Park/Salmon Creek Ravine.
After more than a year of community engagement activities, your participation and valuable insight helped us build the 2024-2030 Parks Recreation and Open Space Plan, which was adopted by the Burien City Council on March 18, 2024.
A PROS plan is a functional plan that develops strategies to implement the policies adopted in the Comprehensive Plan. The plan evaluates the current inventory of assets and the community’s desired level of service for future assets, then identifies gaps in the system. It also prioritizes capital project investments in the community for use in the City’s budgeting process and to make the City eligible to apply for grants to fund those priority projects.
Key Concepts
Park level of service: Level of service (LOS) is a term that describes the amount and quality of park and recreation facilities that are needed to serve the community at a desired and measurable standard.
Park Facilities: This is a general term that refers to the types of recreational amenities in parks or recreation centers such as sport fields, sports courts, picnic areas, playgrounds, or arts classrooms.
Envision the future of parks, recreation, and cultural services in our community.
Spring-Summer 2023
Strategies Development
Develop and get feedback on proposed strategies to meet community needs.
Summer 2023
Draft Plan
Draft and get feedback on plan with capital project and program priorities.
Summer 2023
Advisory Board and Council Review and Approval
Draft final plan and gather community feedback.
Early 2024
Final Plan Development and Adoption
Present plan to Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Arts Commission, and City Council for adoption by January 2024. Public comment encouraged.
Early 2024
Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office
Submit plan to Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office.
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 to keep our transportation network safe, healthy, and efficient. The updated plan includes recommendations about how to pay for improvements.
The Transportation Master Plan is the City’s long-range plan for establishing a sustainable network for all modes of our transportation. It guides investment decisions in the City’s Capital Improvement Program, coordinates transportation improvements with land uses and development, and plans for transportation infrastructure needed to respond to growth. The Transportation Master Plan is closely coordinated with other city-wide plans and is included as an element of the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
City of Burien Transportation Plan (Adopted 2012)
The Burien City Council approved Resolution No. 332 adopting the Transportation Master Plan on May 7, 2012. The TMP ensures coordination between transportation decision-making and the adopted Land Use Element of Burien’s Comprehensive Plan and addresses community values as articulated through the City’s Vision Statement. The Transportation Master Plan informs the development of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and the Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) by identifying the types of projects that are needed to support future travel trends and providing a framework for evaluating how they fit within community values and fiscal resources.
Beginning in May 2011, transportation consultant Fehr & Peers and the Burien Transportation Master Plan Advisory Committee, representing a broad cross-section of the City’s neighborhoods and transportation interest groups, analyzed Burien’s existing transportation system and reviewed existing comprehensive plan transportation policies to develop a new transportation vision for the City.
2023–2028 Transportation Improvement Program (proposed)
The Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is a mid-range planning document that is annually updated based on needs and policies identified through a variety of sources. Project and financial development involve interactions with many groups and agencies at the local, regional, state, and federal levels. It represents the City of Burien’s current list of needed projects that may begin work in the next six years.
The primary importance of the Six Year TIP is to act as a planning tool for the development of transportation facilities within the City. It is used to coordinate transportation projects with our utility districts and other agencies. Staff has evaluated last year’s TIP with respect to the new Transportation Master Plan to ensure that the new TIP is coordinated with the TMP’s goals and the multimodal layered network concept. In most cases, local projects must be included in the TIP to be eligible for state and federal grant programs.
Walk and Roll, Bike, Transit, Vehicle, and Freight
Summer 2023
Identify Projects, Programs, and Policies
Summer-Fall 2023
Prioritize Projects, Programs, and Policies
Fall 2023
Draft Plan
Spring-Fall 2024
Final Plan Development and Adoption
Featured Project
The City of Burien completed a major update to its Comprehensive Plan on October 28, 2024. 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 Comprehensive Plan covers many topics including land use and zoning, economic development, public services, environmental protection, and infrastructure, meeting the community’s needs and reflecting the community’s vision.
Identify and implement the community’s vision and priorities
Extend Burien’s planning horizon to 2044
Comply with the State’s Growth Management Act and regional planning requirements
Incorporate updates from Transportation Master Plan and Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan, which set infrastructure priorities for the next 6–20 years
Comprehensive Plan Focus Areas
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
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Environmental Impact Statement
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.
Burien 2044 Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee
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. Over the course of six meetings, the committee provided recommendations to the Burien City Council. Learn more about the committee.
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.
