The City of Burien announced on Friday, June 6, 2025, that it has completed the required environmental review process for proposed amendments to its housing code and zoning map, clearing the way for a potential citywide rezoning vote aimed at boosting housing availability and walkability.
As we previously reported, the proposed zoning changes will most likely be on the agenda for the June 16 Burien City Council meeting, when a vote is expected. The proposed changes caused some Burien residents, particularly those in neighborhoods like Seahurst, Lake Burien, Three Tree Point, Lake Burien Park, and Hurstwood, to say that council approval would significantly alter the character of their neighborhoods. Flyers circulated by residents as well as public comments at a recent council meeting warn of potential high-density developments in areas that have historically been single-family neighborhoods.
EDITOR’S NOTE: We have reached out to the residents behind the original flyer, and will update this post when and if they respond with a comment or new information.
The announcement follows the city’s adoption of an environmental impact addendum to the 2024 Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) related to its Burien 2044 Comprehensive Plan. These documents serve as the city’s official environmental review under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA).
According to the notice of adoption, the proposed zoning changes would expand the types and number of housing units allowed across residential areas of Burien and introduce neighborhood-scale commercial uses intended to support walkable communities.
The city’s Housing Code and Zoning Map Amendments Fact Sheet, dated June 6, 2025, outlines proposed changes intended to increase housing availability and encourage walkable neighborhoods. The amendments would allow more housing types across the city—including duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes in traditionally single-family zones—and introduce small-scale commercial uses in residential areas. The city states these changes are designed to comply with new state laws, reduce displacement, expand affordability, and support the Burien 2044 Comprehensive Plan goals. The fact sheet also confirms that the city has completed its environmental review under SEPA through an adopted addendum to the 2024 Final Environmental Impact Statement.
“These amendments are about making space for growth that’s equitable and sustainable,” said Liz Stead, Community Development Director and the city’s SEPA responsible official. “They reflect our vision for Burien as a more inclusive, connected, and livable city.”
The city said the goal of the amendments is to meet state legislative requirements while also addressing local priorities such as reducing displacement, supporting affordability, and encouraging small-scale commercial amenities within neighborhoods.
This SEPA determination, known formally as a “Determination of Significance and Adoption of Existing Document,” confirms the city will not be preparing a new environmental impact statement. Instead, the adopted documents—specifically the Final EIS from October 2024 and its newly updated addendum—will inform the City Council’s decision-making.
“The City of Burien has determined that this proposal is likely to have a significant adverse impact on the environment,” Stead wrote. “We have identified and adopted the documents as being appropriate for this proposal after independent review. The documents, together with the addendum available at the project website, meet our environmental review needs for the current proposal and will accompany the proposal to the decision maker in lieu of preparation of a separate Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).”
No formal action will be taken for seven days following the release of the adoption notice. The City Council is expected to consider the final zoning code changes at an upcoming meeting.
For more information and access to the environmental documents, visit Burien’s housing code and map amendment project website.
Documents/Links:
- EIS Notice of Adoption Housing Zoning Addendum
- Housing Code and Zoning Map Amendments Fact Sheet
- Interactive Zoning Map (allows you to enter addresses and find zoning info)
- Burien 2044 Comprehensive Plan Update Final Environmental Impact Statement, issued October 18, 2024.
- Draft EIS released Jan. 10, 2024
Typical city staffers talking out of both sides of their mouth depending on the goal of the day. We have environmental protections for shoreline, and a new tree ordinance to protect existing tree canopy and a target to grow the city tree canopy by 40%. But that will not stop the city planners for putting out socialist driven garbage residential zoning plan that, through their own admission will damage all of those other goals. You know the fastest way to get a pay raise in city Government? Push zoning that encourages population growth from a Category 2 City to a Category 1 City. It’s even better when you dont actually live in the city you are destroying. Time to clean house.
Socialism on the Rise,
It is clear that like me, you care very deeply for our city. I am grateful for the environmental protections in this city including the tree ordinance. That is why I find it so disheartening to see misinformation about how the change in zoning will effect our environment. The reality is that all changes in zoning must still comply with chapter 19.40 of the Burien Municipal Code which outlines our beloved tree protections.
You seem to hold resentment toward our city council members. While I cannot speak to their character; I believe that they are doing the right thing for our city by allowing the FREE MARKET to decide the correct density of housing. These changes in zoning will allow home owners the ability to decide for themselves if they want to build a DADU or other additional units on their property. For what it’s worth, I think that if more people want to move to our city I say let them, but the only way that’s possible is if government gets out of the way and lets people choose for themselves what the best housing solution for their lot is. And that is, I think you’ll agree the antithesis of “Socialism”.
Yes I hold extreme contempt for our leftist council. Free market ? Then why have any zoning ? Let her rip, you want it build it. Your naivety is pouring out on the page. These tracks of land will be bought up by venture capital REITs that have the time and capital to develop these lots which will be RENTED. I know people who are already doing it in other regions and Washington is on their map of high opportunity. You also underestimate how the city will operate and approve density and over ride restrictions. The very fact that R3 is being allowed along shorelines proves that point. R1 designation specifically calls out its purpose is to protect environmentally sensitive areas. Yet all of Lake Burien is being up zoned to R2 and mostly R3. More density ? sure, great, I applaud the increase of ADUs and DADUs and even the creation of R1 and R2 zoning. But R3 is being applied at a ridiculous level. You probably also did not attend the last planning council meeting (i did) where the planning staff admitted they have already begun backing away and modifying the tree ordinance because if applied the density levels they want are not achievable. AND the density levels they want are not even required by their own admission. You need to wake up and realize you are being manipulated.