At the Burien City Council meeting on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, several critical issues were addressed, highlighting ongoing tensions and community concerns.

The meeting saw heated discussion regarding the DESC Bloomside building, with councilmembers and residents expressing serious frustrations over unfulfilled promises and escalating crime.

Additionally, the council grappled with the recently revealed FAA plan to remove mature trees from Mathison Park, as well as a push from the community to re-evaluate the city’s comprehensive plan.

These topics underscore the challenges the city faces in balancing public safety, community well-being, and urban development.

DESC Bloomside Accountability

Councilmembers Jimmy Matta and Linda Akey brought up serious concerns with DESC Bloomside. Before it opened, the city was assured that all residents of the permanent supportive housing would be required to follow a Good Neighbor Policy. During Public Comments, one speaker read directly from that policy, complaining that none of their rules are being enforced. Dealers openly sell drugs within and around the building, and addicts, whether residents or not, congregate there. In addition, she said Bloomside residents are panhandling around the city.

Councilmember Matta said neighboring businesses are struggling due to increased crime around Bloomside. Councilmember Akey said the community as a whole is being impacted by the increased drug activity. She said Bloomside residents are dying at a high rate, and that until the managers end all drug use in the facility, it is “nothing more than a federally funded crackhouse.” She said they currently don’t even offer support for residents who may want to get off drugs. Akey said there has been no enforcement of their promised Good Neighbor Policy.

Councilmember also Akey mentioned that the police pay a visit to Bloomside at least once a day, with more calls referring them there than any other location in the city besides the transit center. Mayor Kevin Schilling said he recently did a ride-along with the police and had an opportunity to visit Bloomside with them. He said the things he was told by DESC in person were very different from the public statement that they recently released.

King County Sheriff Defunds Co-Response Teams

City Manager Adolfo Bailon said the King County Sheriff’s Office has canceled Burien’s co-response program. This popular program paired social workers with police officers, in order to more effectively respond to mental health crises and other situations where social service connections might be helpful. Bailon said Burien will be using some city funds to keep one of the two teams active for now, but can only fund them through summer or fall of 2026.

FAA To Remove Six Mature Trees From Mathison Park

Several councilmembers expressed concerns about the news that a handful of mature trees are marked for removal from Mathison Park (read our previous coverage here). Many neighbors, incredulous over the news, spoke during Public Comments. The park is not under the flight path, but one speaker said the planned removal is part of the airport’s planned expansion, so that planes can be rerouted over the city as needed. Councilmember Matta said the city should at least require the trees to be replaced.

City Manager Bailon said the FAA has historically been very unresponsive, but that Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal has been supportive on FAA issues. Bailon added that the FAA does have to comply with the city’s tree code, so they will have to communicate their reason for removing the trees before they are actually granted a permit. The council will be updated as more information is available.

Comprehensive Plan Discussion

Several public commenters implored the city to reopen the zoning and comprehensive plan discussion, as they do not think the zoning was done correctly or appropriately. It was also mentioned that Burien’s zoning changes go above and beyond state requirements for increased housing.

Councilmember Stephanie Mora brought up her frustration with the city’s comp plan. She said the vote would have gone differently if the council had all the relevant information. The council wasn’t told there would be fees involved in changing the Plan. Mora asked for support in holding a special meeting to discuss and direct potential changes to the comp plan and zoning.

City Manager Bailon said there has been a lot of misinformation going around, with inaccurate and misleading beliefs. He seemed recalcitrant about putting together this special meeting, saying that staff wouldn’t really know how to prepare. Mayor Kevin Schilling said he felt everyone needs to be on the same page about what is actually possible, and the future pathway for change if that is possible.

Councilmember Alex Andrade said the comp plan was passed unanimously, and that people are worried about unrealistic problems. Zoning is not the same as permitting, and very little will actually change in certain rezoned areas, as regulations must still be met. There will be a study session to discuss this in depth later this month.