Burien community development director Scott Greenberg updated the city council Oct. 5 on the Northeast Redevelopment Area (NERA), which is bordered by 8th Avenue South on the west, Des Moines Memorial Drive on the east and South 138th Street on the north.

As the city's Web site notes, the intent of NERA is to transform the land from "a mixture of vacant, residential, public and small commercial land uses to uses [that are] compatible with Sea-Tac International Airport operations and existing and planned surrounding land uses."

To that end, for the last year and a half, consultants have conducted a variety of tests to assess the viability of NERA and environmental considerations, such as the location of Miller Creek.

Test results were distributed to the council members and released to the public the same day as Greenberg's presentation.

According to Greenberg, the work has lead to three potential land use plans, all which will require the council to amend the existing comprehensive plan and zoning requirements by the end of the year.

All three plans share the same goal of developing business parks that are compatible with the airport.

The essential differences of the plans are as follows:

The first alternative allows for all manner of retail and car dealerships, and the western-most portion of the NERA, on the hill adjacent to 8th Avenue South, would includes a "professional/ residential" zoning district that allows for residences and small businesses to exist alongside one another, while encouraging any business to retain the residential character of its facility.

The second plan is nearly identical to the first, though it limits retail establishments to "incidental" businesses such as delis, copy centers and anything else essential to supporting a business park.

And the third option assumes no action is taken and that the status quo is maintained, i.e. a combination of low intensity uses such as office, hi-tech, airport parking and artist studios throughout, along with select areas that would include light industry, retail, warehouse and auto rental/sales.

Council members seemed generally pleased with Greenberg's report, with Gordon Shaw being among the most vocal.

Shaw especially liked the proposed removal of a two-acre minimum that's part of the city's current zoning requirements, calling it a "bone of contention" among the development community.

"I'm a big supporter of property rights and allowing individuals to do what they want with their property," said Shaw.

Shaw's primary concern seemed to be with improving access to the area, for which reason he feels the NERA should have been extended to South 136th Street, one of the main east-west arterials in the area.

Councilmember Kathy Keene voiced much the same opinion, noting that the NERA has the potential to be "cut off at the knees" if Initiative 1033 passes in state elections this November.

As if to forego the possible approval of I-1033, the city council approved a resolution against the initiative. Shaw was the only council member who opposed the resolution.

Copies of the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS) are available for free on the city's Web site as well as at the Burien library and city hall.

They can also be purchased either on paper or a CD at Roadrunner Print & Copy, 120 SW 153rd Street, 206-242-4042.

The City's Hearing Examiner and Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the DSEIS and proposed changes to the City's Comprehensive Plan and zoning regulations at 7 p.m. on Oct. 20, at city hall in the third floor lobby.