North Highline Annexation Burien, Washington

three tree point in burien @ sunset.

late in 2004, city assessed possibility of annexing north highline (which includes white center , boulevard park), 1 of largest urban unincorporated areas of king county, double size of burien. many citizens spoke against annexation , created picket signs , petitions protest against it. other citizens welcomed expansion, felt parts of so-called north highline area should have been part of original burien incorporation, , area in question part of larger highline area. (the highline area includes cities of burien, seatac, des moines, federal way , unincorporated area called north highline. )

in may 2008, burien city council proposed annexation of southern portion of north highline, comprising 14,000 residents. in late summer of 2008, city of burien prepared submit annexation proposal king county s boundary review board. however, after city of seattle protested burien s proposal, burien opted withdraw annexation plan , resubmit after new countywide planning policies went effect.

in october 2008, burien city council voted resubmit annexation plan county boundary review board. however, cities of burien , seattle, along king county , other stakeholders, first participated , completed mediation ensure interests of parties involved met. affected stakeholders have agreed preliminary annexation framework stipulated how annexation play-out between cities of burien , seattle , king county. however, seattle city council voted against agreement february. not known if seattle has future plans annexation of part of north highline area.

on april 16, 2009, boundary review board of king county approved burien s proposal annexation of southern portion of north highline area.

in may 2009, both king county , city of burien passed resolutions place annexation vote on august 18th primary ballot. annexation area voted on consisted of southern north highline , had area of 1,600 acres (6.5 km) , approximately 14,000 citizens. ballot issue approved majority of southern north highline residents, , on april 1, 2010, southern north highline became part of burien.

after annexation vote, special census conducted, , determined newly annexed area had 14,292 residents. resulted in new population total of 49,858, making burien 23rd largest city in washington state.

the boundary review board approved second proposal burien annex northern north highline (also known area y) in february 2012, rejected area y residents in november 2012.