by Ralph Nichols

Brooks Stanfield, who earlier this month received the city’s 2011 Environmental Leader award (see our coverage here) for organizing the B-Town Bike Fair at last year’s Wild Strawberry Festival, has been appointed to the Burien Planning Commission.

Stanfield’s recent appointment came on a unanimous vote by the Burien City Council. Councilman Gordon Shaw was absent.

In selecting Stanfield, the council assured that the seat vacated by Joe Fitzgibbon, who was elected to the state House of Representatives as a 33rd District Democrat last fall, will remain green.

Fitzgibbon had been chairman of the planning commission and, in that capacity, endorsed Department of Ecology recommendations for Burien’s Shoreline Master Program in early 2010.

Stanfield now brings to the planning commission a commitment to environmentally friendly transportation.

A project officer with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, who works on community redevelopment, said in his written application for the position:

“I have always sought to contribute to the health of my community. A great deal of a community’s health is dependent on how land is used and available infrastructure for moving goods and people. I hope to bring the perspective gained through my career … that improves the lives of all [Burien] residents and provides choices for more healthy transportation.”

He was the Cascade Bicycle Club’s Advocacy Volunteer of the Year in 2010, serves on the board of the Burien Cooperative Pre-School, and has volunteered with Para Los Ninos.

Stanfield served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ecuador from 2001 to 2003, working in sustainable economic development.

by Ralph Nichols

Burien residents had their final opportunity on Tuesday night (Feb. 23rd) to voice to the Burien Planning Commission their opinions and concerns about proposed rule revisions in the draft update of the city’s Shoreline Master Program.

Written comment still will be accepted, addressed to either the Burien Planning Commission or Senior City Planner David Johanson, at 400 SW 152nd St., Burien, WA, 98166, or by emailing DavidJ@burienwa.gov.

Concerned citizens will also have opportunities to speak out on the draft plan at public hearings, which will be scheduled later, conducted by the Burien City Council and the state Department of Ecology.

After hearing the last of the public testimony Tuesday evening, Planning Commission members began the process of working their way through a detailed summary of earlier comments by shoreline-area residents and draft responses prepared by city staff and consultants.

Public interest in this issue is so great – as is the level of concern among local shoreline residents who fear their property rights could be impacted by a revised plan – that the Burien Planning Commission, which will continue its review of the plan, will meet in the City Council chambers on the first floor of City Hall.

Almost 200 people, troubled primarily about the impact revised regulations – and public access to shorelines – will have on their property, crowded a smaller room for the Planning Commission two weeks ago.

But in the wake of that meeting, said several persons involved in the planning process, many of those commenting on the draft document were not well informed or were basing their concerns on “disinformation.”

Burien City Manager Mike Martin and Senior City Planner David Johanson recently sat down with The B-Town Blog to address what they said is misleading information circulating about provisions in the draft update of the Shoreline Master Program; here are their reactions:

Non-conforming structures on shoreline property cannot be rebuilt if damaged.

Martin: “That absolutely is not the case.”

Turnout was so high at the last meeting that Tuesday night's Shoreline Master Program meet was moved to city council chambers.

Martin: “It does not do that. Period.”

Rights-of-way at the water’s edge can be taken over by the city.

Martin: “Contrary to what anyone may have heard, there is nothing in the document that gives the city new authority to take over any right-of-way.

The Planning Commission will make the final decision to approve the shoreline plan.

Martin: “That absolutely is not true. The City Council will make the final decision.”

The Planning Commission is expected to deliberate on the public comment it has received, complete its review of the document, and forward a recommendation to the City Council by the end of March.

At least one public hearing will be held by the council while it considers the plan before taking final action. Once the city has adopted its updated Shoreline Management Program, it still must be reviewed and approved by the state Department of Ecology.

Because of widespread misconceptions about provisions in the draft plan, some Planning Commission members are encouraging concerned shoreline residents to read it first, and then ask questions and address specific concerns, rather than simply reacting to rumors about what purported new regulations would do to their property.

The draft shoreline plan is available on the city’s website at http://burienwa.gov/index.aspx?NID=851.

Johanson noted that updating the city’s Shoreline Master Program is not a local option. “The state requires us to do this … over 200 jurisdictions [in Washington] are doing this.”

The state requires all cities and counties to periodically update their Shoreline Management Programs, which implement the Shoreline Management Act at the local level.

According to Ecology, local plans are based on state law and regulations, but “are tailored to the unique geographic, economic and environmental needs of each community.”

This is to improve and protect the health of Puget Sound and other waterways, improve water quality and salmon recovery, and enhance the state’s economy and tourism, Johanson added.

Information about the Shoreline Management Act and guidelines for local Shoreline Master Programs is available on Ecology’s website at http://www.ecy.wa.gov.

Burien was awarded a $117,000 state grant from Ecology for this project, which began with a comprehensive review of the current document by the Shoreline Advisory Committee. The committee then made recommendations and submitted that draft to the Planning Commission.

Martin stressed that the draft revisions give the city “no new rights or authority under its shoreline document.” This includes Lake Burien, which has no public access to its shoreline.

“The city does not have any more authority in this document to provide public access [to the lake] than at any time in the past,” he said.

Johanson said setbacks allowed in the proposed revised plan, in the event of reconstruction due to property damage, are “similar to those of other urban jurisdictions” in an attempt “to strike a balance between state objectives and the urban setting” where shorelines already are developed.

The draft plan would require a 65 foot setback from the average high water level, compared to a current setback of 20 feet along the Puget Sound shoreline. If adopted, those homes would be classified as non-conforming structures – but could be rebuilt on their existing footprint if damaged.

Johanson indicated that after the Planning Commission has finished taking public testimony, staff will compile a list of frequently asked questions together with clarifications and answers, and post this on the city’s website.

by Ralph Nichols

Burien City Council members were presented with dismal sales tax figures from City Manager Mike Martin at the beginning of their meeting last Monday, Oct. 5th.

Through July, the city’s sales tax revenue for the year to date was down 16.2 percent compared with the same time frame in 2008, Martin reported. For July 2009, compared with July 2008, it was down 19.7 percent.

The data reflect a 14.3 percent decline in retail trade in the city, a 47 percent decline in construction-related purchases, and a 10.6 percent in accommodations and food service.

But this does not make Burien unusual. “We’re pretty much on par with our neighbors,” he observed.

NORTHEAST REDEVELOPMENT AREA
Council members heard a presentation by Scott Greenberg, Community Development Director, on proposed revisions for the city’s Northeast Redevelopment Area (NERA) that, if adopted, will amend the Burien Comprehensive Plan and certain zoning designations within this area.

The NERA, located north of Sea-Tac International Airport between 8th Ave. S., S. 138th St., and Des Moines Memorial Dr., is an area that both the city and Port of Seattle, which owns much of the property there, hope is developed for business and commercial activity.

Alternative 1 in this proposal would change the existing Special Planning Area 4 designation to Airport Industrial and Professional Residential. In both areas, the current two-acre minimum for redevelopment would be eliminated.

Potential uses, according to Greenberg, include technological, light manufacturing, light industrial and offices. Auto sales and other commercial uses would be allowed in the south paort of the Airport Industrial zone.

The Professional Residential would allow for new single-family developments as well as small offices, retail uses and art studios.

Alternative 2 would include the same zoning changes, but would not include auto sales and other commercial uses.

Alternative 3 would leave the current NERA zoning unchanged.

These proposals will be introduced at the Tuesday, Oct. 13th meeting of the Burien Planning Commission at 7 p.m. in City Hall. On Tuesday, Oct. 20, a joint hearing with a hearing examiner and the planning commission will consider the proposed comprehensive plan amendments and proposed zoning changes.

Liz Ockwell, an assistant city planner, detailed for council members proposed zoning code amendments relating to land use, garages, slope, parking and landscaping for new developments.

From city-subsidized jet packs to 3-D telepathic beaming of The B-Town Blog into everyone’s brains to dispensing free “art candy” in the shape of city councilmembers’ heads on every street corner, everyone seems to have a “vision” for the future of Burien.

Now, the City of Burien Business and Economic Development Partnership (BEDP) is actually inviting residents and businesses to submit their vision of Burien’s business community in 20 years. Ideas will be considered by the BEDP, the Burien Planning Commission and Burien City Council in updating the Economic Development portion of the City’s Comprehensive Plan.

Here are the details, straight from the city’s mouth:

In Burien’s short 15-year existence, the city has a lot of economic-related successes to be proud of. To name a few:

• Highline Medical Center continues to grow, bringing jobs and quality medical services to not only Burien but our region. This expansion as well as many new and existing medical and related services in Burien has led to the idea of a “wellness cluster.”
• Our Town Square development will open in 2009. New residents, businesses, a public park and a new City Hall and Regional Library will enliven downtown Burien and make it a destination.
• Remodeling of SW 152nd, 4th Avenue SW and 1st Avenue South into more appealing and functional arterials, complete with improved and safer sidewalks, will encourage more shoppers to spend their dollars in Burien.

But where is the city going over the next 20 years? This is the question you can address in crafting an economic vision story. To get you started, the following are some areas we’ve been considering:

• How can Burien capitalize on its proximity to Sea-Tac International Airport?
• What is the best opportunity for use of the NE Redevelopment Area (under the third runway flight path)?
• How can we build on the wellness cluster idea?
• How can we encourage more business diversity—not only nationalities but types of businesses?
• What is the appropriate future for the Ambaum Blvd Corridor?
• How can Burien better integrate arts and education into the business mix?
• How can we capitalize on new and emerging challenges such as sustainability, climate change and alternative energy?
• How can our auto dealers continue their success?
• How can economic growth and Burien “small town” attributes co-exist?

What we’re looking for are some ideas, a statement or a story that communicate your thoughts on Burien’s economic future. We’ll share the general content we receive without attribution. In addition, the BEDP will consider your thoughts and ideas and write a draft economic vision looking out 15-20 years from now. Once the draft is prepared, the City will initiate a more formal process to gain additional ideas and to solicit public comments on the vision content. Ultimately, the vision will be adopted into the Burien Comprehensive Plan.

Submit your completed vision ideas, statement or story to:

Dick Loman, Economic Development Manager: dickl@burienwa.gov

Or mail to:

Dick Loman, City of Burien
15811 Ambaum Blvd. SW, Suite C
Burien, WA 98166

Thank you very much for your interest in Burien’s economic future.

For more information, please contact Dick Loman, dickl@burienwa.gov or 206-248-5528.