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Burien planners map new R‑zones, outline unit limits, setbacks and bonuses tied to state law
Summary
Planning staff presented a proposed rezoning and housing code amendments that create R1–R3 residential zones, adjust setbacks and lot sizes, and define bonus units tied to House Bill 1110 and ADU rules. Commissioners asked for more analysis of critical areas, transit buffers and tree/parking impacts.
Burien planning staff on March 12 outlined proposed housing code and zoning‑map amendments that would create three new residential zones (R1, R2 and R3), change minimum lot sizes and setbacks, and implement state middle‑housing requirements ahead of a June adoption target.
Planner Chaney Scottson told the Planning Commission the work responds to House Bill 1110 and other state rules and is intended "to expand the allowed residential housing types within our residential zones." Scottson said the city is modeling zone provisions to meet the statute’s requirements for middle housing types and bonuses tied to transit proximity and affordability.
The proposal would: set minimum lot sizes at 6,000 square feet in R1, 5,000 in R2 and 3,000 in R3; permit a baseline of three units per lot in R1 (reflecting ADU rules under House Bill 1337), and four units per lot in R2 and R3 without bonuses; reduce front‑yard setbacks from 20 feet to 15 feet…
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