ESC meeting today + Meetings for the week of June 8th
Thursday, June 4th
Environmental Services Commission, 6:30pm (link)
The meeting materials were just published on Monday, apologies that this is so late.
Election of ESC Chair and Vice Chair
Utilities 2027-2028 Operating Budget and 2027-2032 CIP Budget Proposals informational briefing
The Utilities operating budget proposals total $511.8 million for the 2027-2028 biennium and should: maintain current service levels to the community; cover some inflationary cost increases; account for 12.75% annual increases in KC wastewater treatment costs and 9.3% and 9.0% annual increases water wholesale purchase cost; allow maintenance of aging infrastructure and assets like vehicles, equipment, and major software systems; expanded Utility Bill Assistance Program (as recently voted on by City Council); AI for call center and billing assistance; use ESRI's Utility Network platform to replace the existing GIS system; some LTE contract staff extensions and conversions to FTE.
The proposed 2027-2032 CIP Budget totals $458.5 million (Water Utility CIP: $270.5 million, Sewer Utility CIP: $104.0 million, Storm and Surface Water Utility CIP: $84.0 million). There is a table with details for how much spending in each category is expected each of these years, and some highlighted costs - average watermain replacement of 5-miles of pipe per year, with more in 2026-2028, cost increase ($34M) for Meydenbauer South Reservoir project, addition of Crossroads North and South Reservoir Recoating project, recent emergent stormwater repair projects, and cost increase for Kelsey Creek Culvert. In Table 2, $60.5M and $5.3M are budgeted for water and sewer "capacity for growth" - there is no line item for stormwater capacity for growth, even though new rules will allow greater impervious surface for new developments.
Also, the discussion of the CRCs will not occur until the June 18th ESC meeting, so any additional costs related to that decision may not be included in the numbers above.
Tuesday, June 9
City Council, 6pm (link)
Mid-Year Public Safety Update - will discuss World Cup plans, but no stats are included in the agenda materials
Keep Bellevue Beautiful Briefing: Adopt a Street, corporate events, the "26 for 26" initiative that is doing cleanups every other week this year, and shopping cart retrieval
Appointment of Stephan Hobe to the Parks and Community Services Board
Consent Calendar:
- Change to policy on disposition of real property under $350k, so that it is administrative and not presented to Council (such as easement releases other than utility and right-of-way). Allows options like public auction, private sale, sealed bid, exchange of in-kind goods, or sale through a broker or agent. See also Ord. 6924
- Renew the non-exclusive franchise granted by Ordinance No. 6275 to Olympic Pipe Line Company, LLC for petroleum products for an additional 10 years. Updated document is available in the Council library. The Franchise Agreement provides the city with the accountability and tools necessary to manage risks, protect community health and safety, and support a high-quality built and natural environment through essential information such as system maps, inspection records, reports of leaks or spills, and emergency response procedures. Franchise fee for the next year is $31k - Interlocal Agreement with King County Metro for $607k for the 2026-2027 Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Implementation Program (Choose Your Way Bellevue, Bellevue SchoolPool), including $467k in pass-through federal grant fundsand $140k from Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality (CMAQ) .- Ordinance 6924: authorize the hearing examiner to hold any required public hearing for real property disposition and to make improvements to clarity and implementation- Adopt the City of Bellevue 2027-2032 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) - Local TIPs are not revenue constrained. In most instances, projects must be included on a Local TIP to be eligible for state and federal grant programs. That means projects may be included even if funding for them is not yet available. This is in contrast with the TFP which *is* revenue constrained. THe TIP is also useful for regional planning. Twelve projects are being added to the TIP, and 30 projects are recommended to be removed from the current 2026-2031 TIP as they will be substantially completed by the end of 2026 or superseded. The table of TIP projects includes costs estimates and funding assigned from local/other sources, and there is a CIP number where applicable (when full or partial funding has been identified). Some regional projects that we may participate in are included in this list too. Maps are included toward the end of this recommended TIP document, if you are wondering if there are any line items that will affect your area. - Authorize contract amendment to the agreement with MacDonald Miller for the additional engineering and HVAC components at the Bellevue Aquatic Center (BAC) in the amount of $161k plus tax. This brings the total contract to $934 plus tax. Additional engineering and components are needed in addition to the original proposed HVAC equipment to comply with energy code requirements.- Approve Supplemental Agreement No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement (PO# 2450012) with Applied Research Associates Inc. in an amount up to $263k plus tax, bringing the contract for pavement evaluation to $613k plus tax. Sufficient funding exists in the 2025-2026 General Fund.
Omnibus Land Use Code Amendment (link) - these items are described as clean-up and minor, but there is still a major reduction in trees required for developments in the SR-1 zoning category, elimination of parking requirement for mass timber, *modular construction,* and passive house construction, increased Alt Max Impervious percentages (5-10%), increased height as "necessary" above 48" for solar panels, allowance of the 12' height bonus for tree retention to also apply to transition areas, There is a new policy on Consolidated review of applications for Process decisions. Variances, CALUPs (for Critical Areas), and Home Occupation Permits would no longer be published or have mailed notices sent out. It also looks like there may be eliminated setbacks in some areas, possible changes to supportive housing/homeless services, wording around average existing vs. average finished grade, and there are also changes around lot splits.
I don't fully understand the changes around Master Development Plans, Design Reviews, Departures, Design Review Deviations, Binding Site Plans, development agreements, establishment of vested rights, or the specific changes for BelRed, Factoria, Eastgate, East Main, Light Rail, Camp and Conference Center Districts, and Community Mixed Use Design Districts, but these changes appear to be significant. For instance, there had been a Design Review requirement for all projects in Mixed-Use Land Use districts, and now it will be reviewed by staff for compliance. Design Review often takes years and would include public hearing(s) as you can see in the calendar for June 10th. Seattle had something similar, but it looks like they were able to keep at least one public meeting as part of their process.
There are also BCCA changes, which allow landowners to address hazard trees before providing notice to the city.
Sign Code Adoption Staff was requested to come back with additional information for: Simplifying the temporary sign registration form; Refining the temporary sign registration requirements; and Exempting neighborhood associations from the temporary sign registration requirements. In response, less personal information will be posted on the sign face, but contact info will be stored in a database. Residents would not need to register signs placed in their yards after all, but registration for signs in the planting strip would still be required. There will be a 48 hour exemption for temporary signs for events, which supports the neighborhood and community organizations.
The Sign Code update also contains extensive specifications for wayfinding and commercial sign dimensions, materials, placement, etc. Certain areas, like Old Bellevue and BelRed have special rules. See previous newsletters.
Detention Center moratorium: One-year emergency moratorium on the acceptance or processing of applications for the establishment, expansion, or development of detention centers in the City of Bellevue. A public hearing is required to be held on such moratoria within 60 days of adoption. This will provide time for the Development Services Department to identify the gaps in current zoning and Land Use Districts, development regulations, and permitting processes that should be addressed.
Wednesday, June 10th
Pre Hearing Conference on the Appeal of CALUP for a residence (address not given), 10am, City Hall room 1E-113 (link)
Public Meeting on EverGlen Plaza in Wilburton, 6pm - 12500 NE 10th Place, would rezone from PO to MUR-M (It looks like this is the same 100' max height designation that would be applied to this parcel as part of BelRed Look Forward 2.0, so I'm not sure why this one has a meeting.) (link)
Public Meeting on 520 Overlake Townhomes at 14451 NE 24th Street, 6pm - Master Development Plan and Design Reviews to redevelop a 8.7 acre site with 172 townhomes and internal roadways in two phases. Phase 1 contains 87 units of townhomes and Phase 2 contains 85 units of townhomes. (link)
Planning Commission, 6:30pm (link)
2026 CPAs: Request to set Public Hearing (Evans Plaza upzone)
Final Review of Transportation Element Conformance Comprehensive Plan Amendment
High Density Residential LUCA: Introduction
Thursday, June 11th
PSRC Transportation Policy Board mtg, 9:30am
Bid deadline for Ardmore Outfall Stabilization to Idylwood Creek (NUMBER: 26049)
Transportation Commission, 6:30pm - agenda materials not yet available
Select chair and vice chair
Discuss Factoria and Eastgate transportation policies
Draft Minutes:
Environmental Services Commission, 5/6/26 (link)
Planning Commission 5/13/26 (link)
City Council, 5/19/26, 5/20/26 (link)
Upcoming meetings:
6/15 Pre Hearing Conference on the SEPA Appeal of Determination of Non-Significance and Design Review Approval for 12000, 12022 & 12028 NE 8th Street and 12011 NE Bel-Red Road, 10am (link)
6/18 ESC makes Recommendation on Utility Connection Charges, 2027-2032 Revised Rate Forecast
6/24 Continued Civil Violation Hearing - 3855 170th Ave SE, 10am (link)
6/24 Public Hearing, 6pm (link) on Design Review proposal for PMB Medical Office Building at 50 and 100 116th Ave SE (Wilburton) to construct a six (6) story medical office building that is 377,442 gross square feet, above five (5) levels of parking consisting of 480 parking stalls.
6/24 Planning Commission: Parking Reform LUCA: Request to set Public Hearing, Great Neighborhoods Factoria Update (and Request to set PH)
7/2 ESC makes 2027-2028 budget recommendation to city manager (public hearing will be 9/3, and then recommendation will be presented to Council in October)
7/8 Bellevue Development Committee meeting
7/8 Planning Commission: BelRed Public Hearing, Great Neighborhoods Eastgate Update (and Request to set PH)
7/14 Council discusses Cascade Water budget/rates and Cascade Supply Program, Aqua Vista Sanitary Sewer may be on CC
7/22 Planning Commission: Evans Plaza PH, Transportation Conformance PH, and Parking Reform LUCA PH
7/30 BSD School Board Meeting, also 8/13 and 8/27
Opportunities:
https://newbellevue.com/?page_id=88