Congratulations to Claire Sumadiwirya, who was selected by the Council on Tuesday to fill the seat which will be vacated by Janice Zahn next week.
There are two town halls this weekend with opportunities to ask our legislators about the legislation that is advancing now in Olympia:
Saturday, March 22nd
41st Legislative District Town HalMl 10-11:30am at Bellevue College
Sen Lisa Wellman, Rep My-Linh Thai, and Rep Janice Zahn
https://housedemocrats.wa.gov/thai/2025/03/11/youre-invited-41st-ld-community-town-hall/
Sunday, March 23rd
48th Legislative District Town Hall 2:30-3:30 at Together Center in Redmond
Sen Vandana Slatter, Rep Osman Salahuddin, and Rep Amy Walen
https://housedemocrats.wa.gov/salahuddin/2025/03/06/upcoming-town-hall-legislative-update/
Wednesday, March 26th
Growth Management Planning Council meeting, 4-6pm
Legislative Update, Growth Target Reconciliation Process for Carnation and Snoqualmie, and Affordable Housing Committee update.
Travara public meeting, 6pm
Split of church parcel in NE Bellevue to 15 single family lots (Planned Unit Development)
https://bellevuewa.gov/sites/default/files/media/pdf_document/2025/2-6-25-weekly-permit-bulletin.pdf
Neighborhood Enhancement Plan Kickoff for Northwest Bellevue, 6:30pm
$380,000 has been allocated for enhancements to the Northwest Bellevue. Examples of past projects throughout city neighborhoods include art elements, crosswalk improvements, trail connections, street lighting, play structures and streetscape improvements.
RSVP to Neighborhoodoutreach@bellevuewa.gov to receive Zoom meeting link.
Planning Commission, 6:30pm
Critical Areas Ordinance
We have a state mandate to update this ordinance by December 31st. This update will incorporate BAS to align LUC regulations with current, science-based environmental best practices while balancing the need for enhanced environmental protections with the City’s growth priorities. The main change will be the critical areas overlay. A consultant is doing a review of the Best Available Science to see what other changes are necessary. In particular, some buffers are likely to increase. There will also be improvements to data accuracy and mapping, including use of data from permit submittal. We can expect a public hearing, city webpage, workshops about BAS, other direct engagement, and online info session(s).
Housing Opportunities in Mixed-Use Areas (HOMA)
Depending on the area, allowable building heights will go up 15-35′, and there are new categories: Mixed Use 7 story (MU7) and Mixed Use 16 story (MU 16). There are particularly big FAR increases for the Community Business (CB), Neighborhood Mixed Use (NMU) and F3 zoned areas. In exchange for providing 0.2 FAR of affordable housing, buildings might be 10-30 taller. Also, for every square foot of affordable housing, 4 square feet of market rate housing don’t count toward the FAR. Some transition overlay rules would stay in place for setbacks where the mixed-use area abuts a residential area. Minimum parking is being reduced to one space per unit, but spillover parking impacts are not expected.
The Northtowne Neighborhood Center, for example, is zoned NB. In the Mandatory Affordable scenario, it would go from 15 units/acre to 2 FAR, and then from 30′ to 45′, with the potential for 60′ heights if bonuses are added. In the Voluntary scenario, the max height would be 40′ with bonuses that could add up to a total of 60′ and the same FAR.
For the Downtown Perimeter Overlay, there are proposals that FAR could be allocated into DTMU areas, lot coverage increases by 5%, building heights increase by 25′ and there is no max floor plate requirement if the building is less than 80′ tall. The first 25% of amenity points must be earned via affordable housing. Bonus square footage is up to 50% of the base FAR. Only 0.5 parking spots per unit is required.
https://apps.bellevuewa.gov/gisdownload/PDF/Planning/cbd_colorzon_28x40.pdf
Also exempt from FAR would be childcare, grocery stores, non-profits, affordable commercial space, and there is a FAR bonus if enough open space is provided.
Thursday, March 27th
Transportation Commission, 6:30pm
Transportation Facilities Plan Update
Mobility Implementation Plan Update
E-Scooter Code Amendment
Upcoming:
3/27 Sign Code Listening Session #1?
4/1 submit comment to planning commission by 11 am if you want it to be in the packet
4/1 City Council mtg about Vision Zero
4/2 PC packet with updated middle housing draft available online.
4/2 Olympia policy committees cutoff
4/3 Permit policy changes info sessions, 12 and 6pm
4/3 PSRC Growth Management Policy Board
4/4 Sign Code Listening Session #2
4/8 Olympia fiscal committee cutoff
4/9 Quarterly Bellevue Development Committee meeting
4/9 Public Hearing at Planning Commission about Middle Housing
4/16 Legislative Floor cutoff in Olympia
4/22 Ashwood Park presentation to City Council
4/24 Eastrail Regional Advisory Council meeting
5/12 Meydenbauer Park update to City Council
Comment opportunities:
https://www.engagingbellevue.com/sign-code-update/surveys/signcodequestionnaire
How satisfied are you with the current sign regulations?
What concerns, if any, do you have about existing signs in Bellevue?
Are there specific areas in the city where you would like to see signage improve? If yes, please explain where and the ideal type of improvements.
Should the city be more flexible with signage in commercial districts?
Should the city be more flexible with signage regulations in residential districts?
In commercial areas, which would you prefer sign rules to be the same all over?
How should digital/electronic signage be regulated?
What types of temporary signs do you see most often?
Should removal of temporary signs that are damaged, faded, or in disrepair be required?
Do you think that temporary signs enhance or detract from the visual appeal?