Comprehensive Plan Update

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. Over the course of six meetings, the committee provided recommendations to the Burien City Council. Learn more about the committee.

General Information

• Burien Community Profile
• Comprehensive Plan Engagement Summary

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

Final Environmental Impact Statement

• Final Environmental Impact Statement (published October 18, 2024)

Draft Plans

• Burien 2044 Comprehensive Plan (September 2024 Draft)
• Burien 2044 Draft Capital Facility Plan (September 2024 Draft)
• Ambaum and Boulevard Park Community Plan (September 2024 Draft)
• Burien Urban Center Plan (Final with proposed updates)
• City of Burien Transporation Master Plan (June 2024 Draft)
• State Environmental Policy Act Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement – Burien 2044 Comprehensive Plan Update (January 10, 2024)
• Burien 2044 Comprehensive Plan (January 2024 Draft)
• Burien 2044 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) (January 10, 2024)
  • EIS Appendices (January 10, 2024)
• Burien 2044 Draft Capital Facility Plan (January 10, 2024)
• Burien 2044 Comprehensive Plan Values and Vision (December 2023 Draft Slides)

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.

• Interactive Map of Final Zoning Preferred Alternative
• Draft design regulations (October 2024)
• Draft zoning regulations update (October 2024)