Bellevue Meetings for the week of May 26th

Nicole Myers

— 4 min read

Wednesday, May 28th 

Planning Commission, 6:30pm (link)

Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) Update 

The CAO, which protects wetlands, critical aquifer recharge areas, frequently flooded areas, geologically hazardous areas, and fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, is required to be updated at least once every 10 years. The City is now required to update its critical areas policies and regulations by December 31, 2025. Shoreline regulations will be updated separately in 2029. The update will use Best Available Science (BAS) to ensure protection of these areas. This study session will provide Planning Commission information on the Best Available Science (BAS) document, the public engagement plan, and the gap analysis. The new rules will advance city priorities, such as daylighting streams in BelRed, facilitating development along the Eastrail corridor, and streamlining review processes for properties with critical areas. In addition to needing protection, geographically hazardous areas and frequently flooded areas could also pose a hazard to the public, and this will be taken into account. Terms which are under review include: Top of bank vs. Ordinary High Water Mark, Steep Slopes (Bellevue currently regulates a broader range of slopes than other cities), Undeveloped vs. Developed site, and Urban Stream. In addition to clarifying definitions, the Update will: 

  • Refine buffer, setback and mitigation rules for all critical areas
  • Differentiate between human-made and natural steep slopes
  • Update or replace current density and intensity calculation methods to better support housing
  • Simplify the critical areas reporting processes and streamline permit decision criteria

    We can expect two early in-person events, and then after amendments to the CAO are made, an online info session. The Planning Commission will be the primary forum for detailed review of proposed amendments, and there will also be an early presentation to Council in July. See the CAO website for more details. The FAQ section there has links to mapping tools to help determine if critical areas may be present on a particular property.  

Downtown Regional Center redesignation and and Downtown Subarea Plan update

The redesignation of Downtown as a Regional Growth Center will allow Bellevue to continue to be eligible for federal transportation funding. The updates to the Downtown Subarea Plan are:

 Update the growth targets to align with the updated targets in the Comprehensive Plan. 

 Describe the potential for growth in Downtown and how Bellevue is planning for that growth. 

 Update current measures of housing, population, and jobs in the plan specific to Downtown Bellevue. 

 Describe activities to ensure equitable engagement in the plan update process. 

 Update or add maps describing current environmental and transportation infrastructure. 

 Add policies to mitigate residential and commercial displacement. 

 Add policies related to planning for people of color, people with low incomes, and historically underserved communities. 

 Add policies to reduce the impact on the environment through greenhouse gas emissions and other means. 

Upcoming:  

5/29 BDA Downtown Talks breakfast presentation (link)

5/29 Bellevue Farmers Market 3-7:30pm (link)

5/29 Non-profit showcase at BBG hosted by Eastside Leadership Initiative (link)

5/31 Community Walking Audit for 156th Ave SE between BelRed and NE 8th, 12-2pm (link)

6/4 MSR 148th Ave Townhomes public hearing (Lake Hills) 

6/5 PSRC Economic Development District Board 

6/5 BSD Board meeting 

6/5 Watershed Management Plan Update at Environmental Services Commission 

6/7 Community Walking Audit (Main to NE 2nd and 100th to 108th), 12-2pm (link)

6/7 Eastrail Art walk 

6/10 Bellevue Essentials Info Sessions (Eventbrite)

6/11 Open House for Neighborhood Enhancement Program (NEP) for Bridle Trails   

6/11 Planning Commission: Neighborhood Area Planning, Downtown Regional Center CPA 

6/12 Transportation Commission: TFP Update

6/25 Growth Management Planning Council (GMPC) meeting 

6/25 Planning Commission: Environmental Stewardship Plan, Economic Development Plan

6/26 BSD Board Meeting 

7/9 Quarterly BDC meeting 

7/9 Planning Commission: Neighborhood Area Planning, Downtown Regional Center CPA 

7/10 Environmental Services Commission CIP Projects tour 

7/10 Transportation Commission: MIP, TFP, Shared Micromobility, Curb Pricing

7/23 Planning Commission: Critical Areas Ordinance, BelRed LUCA, Neighborhood Area Planning if needed 

7/24 BSD School Board Meeting 

9/11 Transportation Commission MIP Update, Environmental Sustainability Plan, Vision Zero Action Plan report, Curb Pricing 

9/18 NEP open house at NWAC for Northwest Bellevue 

10/8 Quarterly BDC meeting 

Opportunities: 

Adopt-A-Street program https://bellevuewa.gov/city-government/departments/community-development/neighborhoods/neighborhood-improvement/keep-bellevue-beautiful/adopt-street 

https://bellevuewa.gov/city-government/departments/transportation/planning/micromobility There's a form where you can provide input about your thoughts on e-scooters 

https://www.engagingbellevue.com/2025-rsa Road Safety Assessment questionnaire and interactive map Two High Injury Network segments are being evaluated this year, with community walk audits as listed above in the Upcoming events. 

Study area 1: 156th Ave NE and an adjacent segment of Bel-Red Rd. 

Study area 2: Downtown, on Main St, 100th, 1st, 2nd, Bellevue Way, and 108th 

https://www.engagingbellevue.com/economic-development-plan-update Recruiting focus group related to Tourism, Small Business, the Creative Economy, District Development, Multicultural Services, and the Eastgate neighborhood.

Sign Code Update questionnaire is still available https://www.engagingbellevue.com/sign-code-update

Posted on NewBellevue.com: 

Bellevue's Growth Target - Should we expect 35,000 new housing units? Should we be prepared for more?  

Read more