On September 22, 2025, the Burien City Council convened to address significant issues affecting the community, including the controversial removal of six mature trees at Mathison Park and the ongoing amendments to the city’s Comprehensive Plan.
The planned removal of the trees, advocated by the Port of Seattle, has raised concerns among residents and council members alike. The Port has claimed that safety regulations concerning Sea-Tac Airport necessitate this decision, asserting that the trees threaten the safety of aircraft over the next five years.
During the meeting, a representative from the Port detailed the plans stating that all commercial airports need to secure a safe path for landing and approach. According to the presentation, the trees in question are located within the “Approach Surface Area” of the airport’s third runway.
Despite arguments from the community emphasizing that the park does not fall directly under the airport’s flight path, the Port maintained that proactive measures—such as complete tree removal—are vital for ensuring safety.
As part of the agreement, the Port promised to compensate for the lost trees by planting 18 five-foot tall trees across the city, with nine designated for Mathison Park. The Urban Forest Planner for Burien, Josh Petter, expressed a commitment to selecting tree varieties suitable for the local climate, which would not reach problematic heights in the future.
The planned maintenance of these new trees has sparked debate among council members. Concerns were raised by Councilmembers Linda Akey, Hugo Garcia, and Deputy Mayor Sarah Moore, who pointed out the exchange of mature trees for smaller ones would mean a significant delay in carbon sequestration and canopy cover benefits.
Public response mirrored these concerns, with many residents voicing the opinion that the Port should take additional measures to mitigate the impact of tree removal.
Adding to the discussion, councilmembers mentioned Burien’s recent tree giveaway program, which allows homeowners to apply for up to two free trees. This initiative is set to end soon, with trees available for pickup on October 18 at Hilltop Park.
Another significant topic on the agenda was the city’s Comprehensive Plan amendment process. Over the last few weeks, public commentary highlighted issues regarding the zoning of Burien’s critical shoreline areas, prompting calls for amendments to the existing zoning designations.
City staff provided an overview of how the Comprehensive Plan could be amended. This plan serves as a guiding document for zoning decisions within the community. The last periodic update was completed in October 2024, following a substantial engagement with the public, which resulted in zoning changes enacted early this year.
There are two primary methods for amending the Comprehensive Plan: property owners can request a pre-approval meeting until October 1, with final applications due by November 3. Additionally, the city can initiate updates annually, aligned with the same application process.
Any proposals submitted will first be reviewed by the Planning Commission during a meeting scheduled for December 10, 2025. Following this, the proposals will return to the council for further discussion on January 12, 2026, before repeated reviews in spring, eventually leading to council approval in the fall.
Thus far, there have been no requests made for privately initiated amendments to the Comprehensive Plan.
In a decisive move, Councilmember Stephanie Mora proposed a city-initiated update aimed at adjusting zoning classifications in critical areas of the Three Tree Point, Lake Burien, and Seahurst neighborhoods. This proposal passed with a 5–2 vote, though Deputy Mayor Sarah Moore and Councilmember Hugo Garcia voiced their dissent.
In summation, the Burien City Council’s meeting encapsulated pivotal discussions surrounding mature tree removal and necessary updates to the Comprehensive Plan, reflecting ongoing community concerns. As the city navigates these significant environmental and planning challenges, residents remain engaged and vocal about preserving the community’s green spaces and advocating for appropriate zoning.
The deliberations showcased not only the council’s approach to immediate environmental concerns but also highlighted continuing efforts to involve public opinion in future city planning strategies.
image source from：b-townblog
