Cities
Burien shoreline residents’ persistence led to a 5–2 Burien Council vote to fix zoning errors tied to the Shoreline Master Plan.
After months of persistence from shoreline residents, the Burien City Council has taken a significant step to correct errors in the city’s Comprehensive Plan and zoning designations—particularly those tied to the Shoreline Master Plan and critical areas.
At Monday night’s council meeting, Councilmember Stephanie Mora introduced an amendment directing City staff to take responsibility and process an internal fix to the comp plan and zoning—an amendment that passed by a 5–2 majority. The surprise move came despite pushback from city staff, who had previously resisted reopening the process.
In favor: Mayor Kevin Schilling, Councilmembers Stephanie Mora, Linda Akey, Alex Andrade, Jimmy Matta.
Opposed: CM Hugo Garcia and Deputy Mayor Sarah Moore.
Residents from the Three Tree Point, Lake Burien, and Seahurst neighborhoods have spent countless hours meeting with the planning department and Council, raising concerns about zoning that conflicted with critical areas and shoreline protections. Their persistence paid off as the Council voted to move forward with an amendment that could restore consistency and accountability.
Stan and Dawn Lemmel, longtime advocates for protecting the shoreline environment and neighborhoods, expressed gratitude for the Council’s decision:
“We, along with all community members in attendance, were pleasantly surprised and heartened that by a majority of 5-2, the council voted in favor of directing City staff to internally process and fund an amendment to the land use and zoning designations in the Comprehensive Plan for the Three Tree Point, Lake Burien and Seahurst communities. Although it is still up to council to approve the final amendments that will be placed on the docket on February 1st, 2026, we are hopeful that all councilmembers in place on the council following November’s election will honor the amendment request of the Three Tree Point, Lake Burien and Seahurst communities.”
The Lemmels noted they personally thanked the five councilmembers who supported the amendment, saying that despite a “bumpy road,” the decision demonstrated government working for the people as it should.
Dawn Lemmel later added:
“Councilmember Stephanie Mora was dedicated and persistent in her advocacy in accomplishing this for the Three Tree Point, Lake Burien and Seahurst communities. Additionally, Mayor Schilling was supportive during this push to have the city recognize their mistakes, and rectify them. We were pleased to recognize that councilmembers Akey, Andrade and Matta heard our voices and concerns, and responded with their support as well. We would like to give due consideration to all their contributions to last night’s successful outcome.”
Councilmember Mora’s Amendment
Here is the terminology that Councilmember Stephanie Mora proposed, which was voted on and accepted, 5–2 in favor:
“I move to add the following to the docket of proposed Comprehensive Plan amendments and to direct staff to review and prepare proposed amendments to the land use and zoning sections for Council consideration and approval by the next council meeting:
Three Tree Point Amendment
Revise the land use map and re-designate all RL2 properties within Three Tree Point to RL1 in order to allow an areawide rezone from R-3 to R-1, and re-designate all commercial mixed-use designated properties within Three Tree Point to RL1 in order to facilitate an areawide rezone from MU-1 to R-1.
Lake Burien Amendment
Revise the land use map and re-designate all RL2 properties adjacent to Lake Burien to RL1 in order to allow an areawide rezone from R-3 to R-1, excluding the Ruth Dykeman Center property.
Seahurst Amendment
Revise the land use map and re-designate the Seahurst neighborhood from R-3 and R-2 to R-1 in order to allow an areawide rezone.
"Additionally, staff shall review and correct any areas that were erroneously zoned without the required application of SMP and Critical Areas regulations and restrictions, or that are inconsistent with these regulations (including, but not limited to, Three Tree Point, Lake Burien, and Seahurst).”
The next Planning Committee Public Hearing and meeting will be hosted by the city tomorrow night, September 24 at Burien City Hall.
Burien City Council and community members still have a lot of work to do. We will report further with additional details as this process continues.
Members Discussion