Burien planners discuss allowing small “neighborhood commercial” uses in residential zones

Burien planning staff presented proposed housing code and zoning‑map amendments on April 9 that would allow limited neighborhood commercial uses — such as coffee shops, corner stores, small offices and day services — inside some residential zones, and asked the Planning Commission for input before a public hearing scheduled for April 30.

Janice Gatson, senior planner, told the commission the amendments would continue to allow accessory uses such as home occupations and bed‑and‑breakfasts, expand where family day care definitions apply and add provisions to allow “artist studio dwellings” and “live‑work units” in multifamily apartment developments. “Neighborhood commercial is not intended to have any drive throughs,” Gatson said, adding that the intent is small, customer‑serving uses that primarily serve nearby residents rather than draw regional traffic.

The proposal would: allow conversions of existing residential structures to neighborhood commercial in higher‑density residential zones (R‑3 through R‑5), permit new standalone small commercial buildings in R‑3 and R‑4 under special criteria,…