The Burien City Council decided on Aug. 7 to explore four annexation options for the North Highline Unincorporated Area-full annexation, two partial annexation alternatives and no annexation.

One partial annexation option would have Burien annex the area from South 128th Street to South 116th Street, with new north-south city limits along Glendale and Des Moines Memorial Drive.

That is slightly different than the southern annexation option the council looked at before, but still would bring 10,500 people into the city-enough to make Burien eligible for state sales tax funding for 10 years, said Scott Greenberg, community development director.

Greenberg said property tax revenue would be the same.

What makes this option different than the southern annexation option is that it would not include the North Highline Fire District station and a King County Library, both of which are of interest to Seattle should that city annex the area.

Councilman Jack Block Jr. supported the option. " This meets our needs," he said.

However, the option met with criticism from other council members.

"This cuts Boulevard Park right in half," said Councilwoman Rose Clark. "One of our goals was not to do that."

One of Burien's goals for annexation is to maintain well-established neighborhoods.

What the option does to the community of Boulevard Park is "almost inhumane," said Councilman Gordon Shaw.

Shaw then tried to make a motion to declare all of North Highline a Potential Annexation Area (PAA) for Burien, but changed it to a motion for a "preferred alternative" since the council cannot legally vote on just a PAA.

A PAA for any annexation of North Highline must be included as an amendment to the city's Comprehensive Plan, then voted on.

By making North Highline a preferred alternative, the Burien wouldn't look at other alternatives. It would also narrow all the options down to one, giving the city a single proposal to submit to Seattle and King County.

"It just brings out serious conversation," Shaw said.

"With the way Seattle is presenting it as all or nothing, go with all," said Shaw.

The motion failed five to two with Clark and Shaw voting yes.

The council also voted to put full annexation and no annexation studies before city staff and asked them to bring back more information on both options.

Once a PAA is declared, it would be another step in the annexation process, a decision that may take place in early October-about the same time Seattle is expected to make its decision on annexation.

Greenberg recommended the council make a decision about a preferred alternative before the planning commission's Aug. 22 public hearingat 7 p.m. in Buriern City Hall.

Burien residents also voiced concerns about possible annexation of the North Highline area at the meeting.

Ron Seale, a member of Burien Residents Against Annexation, questioned the numbers the city has given the public regarding annexation. He challenged the city to come up with "true numbers."

Another resident spoke out against the anti-annexation groups. "Undocumented and inaccurate propaganda has been distributed throughout this community," the woman said. "People are attempting to hide their elitism through cardboard signs with hearts."

The Burien Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. that is expected to include a discussion on the Comprehensive Plan amendment.