Burien City Council to discuss proposed public safety levy lid lift, zoning ordinance & more at Monday’s meeting

The Burien City Council will consider draft ballot language at its Monday, June 16, 2025 meeting that would ask voters this fall to approve a property tax levy lid lift aimed at expanding and sustaining public safety services, including co-response programs, police staffing, and infrastructure improvements.

In addition, council will also discuss and possibly decide on proposed Ordinance 868, which includes amendments to the city’s zoning code, specifically related to the creation of new zones and land use regulations. This issue has inspired a strong response from concerned residents, who will surely show up to share their thoughts during public comment.

WSDOT will also present an update to council about the SR 509 Completion Project.

The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m., and can be viewed in-person at Burien City Hall, on Comcast TV Channel 21, via Zoom here, and via livestream here.

Download the full agenda packet here.

Public Safety Levy

According to the agenda item and draft ordinance, the proposed levy would appear on the Nov. 4, 2025 general election ballot. If approved, it would raise Burien’s property tax levy by approximately $0.795 per $1,000 of assessed value, generating an estimated $8.68 million in 2026 and rising annually through 2031. For a home valued at $596,000, the increase would equal about $37.51 per month.

Ordinance No. 874 outlines the city’s case for the proposed increase, citing rising costs for contracted law enforcement services, inflation-driven wage increases, and community demand for expanded crisis response and safer streets.

“Without additional funding, the City will be unable to sustain current service levels or address growing public safety needs,” reads the explanatory statement attached to the draft measure.

Zoning Ordinance 868

According to the agenda packet, the proposed Ordinance No. 868 to Title 19 Housing Code and Zoning Map Amendments would amend Burien Municipal Code (BMC) to:

• Establish two new zones: Mixed Use Commercial (MUC) and Residential 2 (R-2)
• Implement use regulations and development standards for these new zones
• Adjust definitions and use tables to align with the updated zoning framework

Council is being asked to decide between the following:

• Approve the proposed Ordinance No. 868 as written to be placed on the Business Agenda of the June 30th City Council Meeting for future action.
• Approve the proposed Ordinance No. 868 with amendments to be placed on the Business Agenda of the June 30th City Council Meeting for future action.

If approved, Ordinance 868 would establish two new zoning districts—Mixed Use Commercial (MUC) and Residential 2 (R-2)—and update related development standards, use tables, definitions, and the official zoning map in Burien Municipal Code.

Agenda Highlights

EXECUTIVE SESSION

• a) Executive Session per RCW 42.30.110(1)(g) to evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for public employment or to review the performance of a public employee.

PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

• a) Pollinator Month Proclamation: Deputy Mayor Sarah Moore
• b) Juneteenth Proclamation: Councilmember Alex Andrade
• c) SR 509 Expressway Briefing: Rod Steitzer, Public Works Director, Christine Hawatmeh, Transportation Engineer, John White, Puget Sound Gateway Program Administrator, Andrey Chepel, SR 509 Completion Project Construction Manager
• d) Vehicle License Fee Update: Rod Steitzer, Public Works Director

COUNCIL REPORTS

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

PUBLIC COMMENT: Notice to all participants: Pursuant to RCW 42.17A.555, campaigning for any ballot measure or candidate in City Hall and/or during any portion of the Council Meeting – including the public comment period – is prohibited.

BUSINESS AGENDA

• a) Ballot Language for City of Burien Public Safety Levy Lid Lift: Casey Headley, Finance Director
• b) Ordinance No. 868 to Title 19 Housing Code and Zoning Map Amendments: Liz Stead,
• c) City Council Planning Calendar: Adolfo Bailon, City Manager