Burien Planning Commission names Jessica Ivy interim chair and Hayden Campbell interim vice chair; staff outlines summer work plan

The Burien Planning Commission on April 8 appointed Jessica Ivy interim chair and Hayden Campbell interim vice chair to serve until the regular elections in July, and staff presented the department’s work plan and upcoming code and project milestones.

Nominations opened for interim chair to serve until the second regular meeting in July per the commission’s bylaws. A commissioner nominated Jessica Ivy; Ivy accepted the nomination and said she hoped to facilitate meetings with fairness and collaboration. With no further nominations, Ivy will serve as interim chair and will begin facilitating meetings alongside the interim vice chair.

For interim vice chair, Commissioner Jimmy Motta Jr. nominated Hayden Campbell; the nomination was seconded and Campbell offered brief remarks about supporting the commission and the chair. Commissioners congratulated both appointees. The meeting record does not show a formal roll-call tally; the nominations proceeded in accordance with the commission’s procedures and the candidates were accepted.

In the director’s report, staff reviewed several items on the planning work plan and calendar: completion of comp plan amendments (planning commission work expected in summer, council consideration in September–October), short-plat/unit lot subdivision work (targeted to finish with the commission in June), ongoing outreach for the North of New York project (a public meeting at Boulevard Park Library was noted), and a planned start in the fall for Title 19.65 development-agreement procedures that will require legal support. Staff also listed items that will be addressed later in the year including minimum parking requirement updates, a sign code overhaul, SEPA exemption thresholds, and code cleanup (an omnibus set of nonpolicy clerical edits).

Staff reminded commissioners that the city will be discussing the potential creation of a Transportation Commission at a council meeting on the 26th and that some state-mandated items (residential conversion of commercial buildings) are on a state timeline; staff noted the commission may shift some dates into July to meet state requirements. Staff also said the city will apply again next year for a climate-related grant program and that Eco Northwest is continuing research funded by a Department of Commerce grant related to transfer-of-development-rights work.

The meeting moved to new-business items and then adjourned at 7:08 p.m.