Meetings for the week of October 6th

Nicole Myers

— 13 min read

Note: The funding for Kidsquest on the City Council Consent Calendar in last week's newsletter is explained by this recent news: https://downtownbellevue.com/2025/10/01/kidsquest-childrens-museum-plans-move-bellevue-arts-museum-building/ 

Monday, October 6th 

2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) grant funds were not received until 9/23/25, and funding uncertainty remains a concern for the CDBG 2026 program year. There is a risk that funding will be either reduced or eliminated. Therefore, the city is choosing to continue to fund currently funded sub-recipients rather than issue an RFP. In addition to the $850k that is projected to come from HUD, $150k of housing repair loans has been repaid and will be available for 2026 funding. Recommended recipients are Porchlight, CDBG admin and planning, 4 Tomorrow, IACS, Centro Cultural Mexicano, Upwards (WeeCare), and Home repair with KCHA. For 2027-2028, there are some recommendations for funding percentages: 41% for housing, 7% for childcare, 1% for medical/dental, 23% for youth, etc. 

Tuesday, October 7th 

Bellevue Parks & Community Services is planning a new parks operations facility adjacent to the Bellevue Golf Course. The facility will gather parks operations staff currently spread around the city in one location for better collaboration and efficiency.  Construction is expected to start in 2027.

Public Comment (register here starting at noon on the day of the meeting, or in-person starting at 5pm)

Consent Calendar Authorize Interagency Connection Agreement between Bellevue and King County for the use of the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS). This agreement provides Bellevue Police Department with updated fingerprinting equipment allowing for continued participation. 

King County's Conservation Futures program funding comes via an interlocal agreement and the City is now receiving an additional $1,565,881 reimbursement for the purchase of the Park Pointe PUD property located in the Coal Creek/Lakemont neighborhood for natural area conservation and trail expansion, in addition to a previously provided $9,247,500. 

To support work at the Bellevue Aquatic Center, authorize amendment of an agreement for project management from WA Department of Enterprise Services (DES) and funding $689k. Work is to replace ‘end of life’ mechanical components and improve lighting, controls, and mechanical systems for compliance with the Washington State Clean Buildings Act.

Informational presentation on Bellevue’s plans leading up to the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup. Community partners will produce programs on the six matchdays hosted at Lumen Field with local activities focused on the Bellevue light rail stations. Along the Grand Connection, there will be tidying, painting, and electrical work to restore power outlets along the Grand Connection that can be used during special events like Arts Fair. A new large-scale mural is slated to be installed along the light rail line in the BelRed Arts District prior to the tournament and a new series of Utility Box Wraps are set to be installed. Estimated economic impact could be up to $23M.

Presentation on the Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP), which provides a detailed analysis of the natural hazards Bellevue is susceptible to and identifies strategies to mitigate risks and impacts. Another part of the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP), is the Disaster Debris Management Plan that was recently completed. Stafford Act compliance is required for FEMA grant assistance eligibility, and funding to develop it came from FEMA in 2023, with work starting in February 2024. There are 33 mitigation strategies.

 For debris, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake has the potential to generate approximately 3,493,220 cubic yards of waste. Bellevue is in the process of pre-establishing an RFP to hire contractors to serve as debris haulers and monitors in the event of a catastrophic, debris-generating disaster, and this would speed recovery. Certain roads that will be prioritized for debris-clearing efforts during a disaster, and six potential temporary debris management sites were identified where debris can be stored until it can be properly disposed of.

Action item: Ordinance No. 6866 for mandatory minimum sentencing of 30 days for repeat offenders previously convicted of two thefts in a two-year timeframe, which had an inpatient treatment alternative added as a result of the September 23rd council discussion. There is also the new community court that launched in July and is having its Grand Opening this week. 

Wednesday, October 8th 

Staff introductions, updates from city teams, BelRed Look Forward, Affordable Housing, and MFTE, feedback opportunities

There are interesting Written Communications letters that talk about the big Critical Areas Ordinance questions (daylighting streams, rules about steep slopes, setbacks using Best Available Science vs. no net loss of function, reasonable use exceptions, habitat corridors, etc. Writers also question the assumptions of the NAP and HOMA changes for Newport Hills and talk about the challenges of doing stacked flats on a site that could easily have four townhomes, and building a 321 unit building where there are wetlands.  

Information on Neighborhood Area Planning – Eastgate & Factoria Great Neighborhoods Program is intended to 1) develop neighborhood area plans that reflect current citywide and neighborhood priorities and address issues and opportunities that are relevant to the local community, and 2) conduct a planning process that is based on a collaborative partnership between the City and neighborhoods; to expand community capacity for neighborhood leadership. The Discover phase will last until the end of the year, and then the updated plan will be adopted at the end of 2026. The project timeline and engagement plan summary are attached. 

Affordable Housing Strategy Update  We are in the second-to last Refine stage, and adoption is expected in either January or February of next year.  Outreach has included a kickoff event, film festival, resource fair, and more. Priorities of affordability, aging in place, universal design, zoning and density reform, redressing inequities, and community building were identified. To reach those with lived experience, the city developed and launched a Community Facilitator Program, and nine facilitators were recruited in July. Housing stability only focuses on the ability of low- and moderate-income households to remain stably in their home and neighborhood. The project team will continue to seek feedback on the draft recommendations through targeted engagement with organizational partners, as well as opportunities for the public to engage through a survey and information sessions.

Housing Opportunities in Mixed Use Areas: Bellevue has adopted a target to create 5,700 affordable housing units between 2026-2036. The agenda memo has a rundown of the past Council and Planning Commission discussions that have led to this point, and also points to the economic analysis which was done. Lowrise development was the only housing type with favorable market conditions that allow feasibility. Positive conditions for lowrise development can almost entirely be attributed to its utilization of surface parking rather than structured parking. One change in the proposed rules is an alteration in lot coverage that would disincentivize surface parking but still allow density. It is interesting to see in the analysis how parking spot construction costs increase with depth. In a prototypical 250 unit building, the Middle Housing changes reduced the parking requirement from 338 to 250 spaces, and a further decrease will come soon with ESSB 5184 implementation.

      Some bonuses rely on developments being able to use additional FAR, but it is possible for buildings to hit their height caps before they use all their FAR (a project just south of the library has asked for an exemption because of this). Floor area bonuses would come from adding affordable housing, and exemptions would come from childcare, grocery stores, non-profit business, affordable commercial space, etc. The PC asked staff to explore encouraging three additional uses: third places, indoor bike parking, and stacked flats, but staff is pushing back since they think third spaces are hard to define, and street frontage is expected to be pedestrian-oriented anyway. There are questions from community members in the letters that ask whether an isolated spot with pedestrian-oriented street frontage is better than "neighborhood serving" development that might include more parking. I think there is a strategy we could find here that doesn't just put the walking areas along arterial streets but still gives a sense of prioritizing transit users rather than making them walk across a big parking lot to get to the stores.

     There is already an outdoor bicycle parking requirement, and indoor bicycle parking in a parking structure doesn't count under existing rules. I hope the PC continues to ask for in-lobby bike parking FAR exemptions (including associated internal passageway width) as an option, since this can be a little more secure from theft due to foot traffic, and is not incompatible with a sleek lobby experience.     The PC had an opportunity to incentivize stacked flats in the Middle Housing LUCA, and it is strange that they did not do so then but are requesting it for mixed use areas - does anyone know the thinking on this? 

     HOMA proposes a 25-foot ground-level landscaped setback along all property lines abutting residential districts, plus an additional 15-foot upper-level stepback for any building facade over 80 feet tall that are within 50 feet of a residential district. The PC questions why the wedding cake concept is not being applied to mixed-use areas outside of Downtown. Staff says there's only enough room for this in some places like Crossroads and Factoria. Please see the maps for Crossroads and Eastgate/Factoria to see how scattered some of the additional height is.  Staff point to tree retention requirements in the Tree Code as protections for well-treed transition areas, though there are loopholes that I have written about previously.

    Staff has responded to concerns about the minimum amount of affordable housing to be eligible for incentives, and now smaller amounts of affordable housing will be eligible for small incentives. This LUCA also includes an update to the rules around phased projects, and non-conforming provisions are being updated to build on what was done for Wilburton. More substantial zoning changes, including floorplate and building height increases, commercial parking reductions, and a new development incentive program option, will be addressed through the Downtown Livability 2.0 LUCA, which launches next year. There are also changes to the energy code and life safety requirements that may affect project costs for buildings which aren't far enough into the pipeline.

    The PC may decide at this meeting whether we have advanced enough with HOMA to schedule a public hearing, but there is no external timeline that we must meet. 

Thursday, October 9th 

Curb Pricing study update on community engagement: Equity concepts were developed in coordination with BDAN, and these will be discussed at the meeting. Public outreach included tabling at Downtown Park, visits to businesses in Downtown and Old Bellevue businesses. Feedback from the TC  will be incorporated and then reviewed at a December 9th City Council meeting 

TFP Update  At the August 4th City Council meeting, the Council agreed with extending the timeframe from 12 to 20 years, but requested that seven transit projects be moved from the candidate list to be included in the updated TFP. The Commission will be asked for a letter endorsing the updated TFP.  The current tally is 76 discrete projects and 15 ongoing transportation programs. Not all of these have funding to be completed before 2045, but for the 25 that are anticipated, about $16M in additional funding is needed. This leaves $10.5M in unallocated revenue. Projects with partial CIP funding are not counted toward the 25. An additional source of funds is the Impact Fee program, which will provide more funds as Bellevue grows. 


Upcoming meetings:  

10/16 Innovation Exchange, 9am-4:30 and celebration from 4:30-7pm (link)

10/16 BSD School Board Meeting - revising policies on Board Liaisons, Program Planning, and Minimum Fund Balance 

10/16 Public meeting for 205 Tower, 6pm on MS Teams (link)

10/20 Human Services Commission public hearing on housing and human services needs

10/21 Bellevue College Community Update on the campus and projects, 5-6pm, Room U208 (rescheduled from 10/7)

10/22 Planning Commission: CAO LUCA Public Hearing

10/22 Information session about participating in programming at light rail stations for the 2026 World Cup 

11/5 Planning Commission retreat

11/6 ESC: Solid Waste Program Update, Utility Bill Assistance Program, Sewer cost-of-service rate design

11/18 City Council meeting may include TFP 

12/9 City Council meeting to include Curb Pricing 

12/10 Planning Commission: HOMA and Comprehensive Plan Amendments preview

Opportunities: 

The City of Bellevue is recruiting new members for the Bellevue Network on Aging, a group that supports healthy aging in our community. Interested candidates may apply online by Friday, Oct. 19. (link)

Applications for funding through the Cross-Cultural Center Without Walls program are being accepted through Wednesday, Oct. 15, and awards of $2500-15,000 are available. 

PSRC Regional Transportation Plan survey (link)What is the most important transportation problem facing the Puget Sound region today?
What is your biggest safety concern? What is your primary mode? Do you have access to a car and bike? What should our priorities be? 

PSRC Regional Economic Strategy survey (link)For Workforce Development, Resources for entrepreneurs, Broadband infrastructure, Affordable childcare, School budget deficits, and Systemic Inequities, what organizations or programs are making progress, what data can be used to track progress, and what additional efforts do you recommend?  Similar background information and questions are also posed for Business Climate, Global Competition, and Quality of Life. 

Bellevue is offering an opportunity for community members to weigh in on how they feel about Bellevue and how they access information from city government. The survey will be open through October 5th for people who were not able to attend the meeting. What do you think of Bellevue and our city government? How do you seek information about Bellevue? What types of information are you likely to look for? How do you communicate to the city staff and leadership? 

Applications for 2026-2027 Advanced Learning Services are now open. Any parent/guardian of a student in grades 1-11 may apply for testing by October 10th at 4pm. BSD students in Kindergarten and Grades 2 and 5 are automatically tested, and there is no need to reapply if you are already receiving Advanced Learning Services.  

Petition regarding Bellevue College: Stop the proposal of dissolvement of School of Business & Tech Division (link)

Petition to restore bus service for South Bellevue neighborhoods (link)

Bellevue Farmers Market Shopper Survey: Share your feedback and thoughts about our 2025 season to help inform us for next year!

If you are in Northwest Bellevue, don't forget to return your household's Neighborhood Enhancement Program ballot - must be postmarked by October 20th to be included. 


Fun and educational events:

Alert: CKC trail closure from now until October 15th, just north of Bellevue, with partial closures continuing into November (link)

10/1 Registration opens at 3:30 for a 3D printing activity on October 8th, ages 10-17, at the Bellevue Library (link)

10/3-10/5 Umbrella Fringe Festival theatre performances in Kirkland (link)

10/4-10/5 Northwest Chocolate Festival (link)

10/4 Used Book and Media sale at Unity of Bellevue, 9am-3pm (link)

10/4 Kelsey Creek Farm Fair, 11-4 (link) - shuttles from Wilburton P&R and Bannerwood 

10/4 Bellevue Fiesta Latina at Spring District Park 11-5pm (link)

10/4 Mending Fair at Bellevue Library: an experienced artisan mends your items, 2-5pm (link)

10/4 Moonlight Melodies: Chinese music, dance, and martial arts at Factoria Mall to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, mooncake tasting and raffle 5-6:30pm (link)

10/4 Bellevue Lifespring's Uncork the Night, 5:30-10pm (link)

10/4 Bellevue Youth Theatre fundraiser, 6pm (link)

10/5 Trufusion Barre class at Bellevue Square, 9:30-11am, register early (link)

10/5 Let Go to Let Grow intention setting and sound bath at SBCC, 3-4:30pm, pre-register (link)

10/6-10/9 Walk and Roll to School Campaign 

10/6 Unsung Heroes: Talk on pollinators at the Newport Way Library, 1-3pm 

10/7 Vote Local: Learn about the upcoming November elections with KCLS, 6-7pm (link)

10/7 Happy Hour Vibe Bingo at Legion, 6:30-8pm (link)

10/7 Tuesday Trivia at Evergreen Point Bistro, 7pm (link)

10/8 Made in Bellevue- Air Plants and Cactus lunchtime crafting activity, drop in 11-1pm (link)

10/8 Reading with Rover at Bellevue Library for elementary students, 6:30-7:30pm (link)

10/8 Trivia Night at Forum Social House, 6:30-8:30pm (link), recurring Wednesdays 

10/8-10/12 Bellevue Jazz & Blues Music Series, a five-day celebration with 24 shows (link)

10/9 Ancestry Help from the Eastside Genealogical Society at Bellevue Library, 10:30-12:30pm (link)

10/10 Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club hosts Ciscoe Morris, Gardener Extraordinaire and humorist, 7:15-8:30am

10/10 Free Improv for All! class for ages 12-19 Jet City Improv at BYT (link), also 10/17

10/10 Headliner Lee Oskar (harmonica) in Bellevue Jazz & Blues Music Series, 7:30-9pm (link)

10/10-10/12 First weekend of Theatre33's Rumors by Neil Simon - razor sharp comedy for 14+ (link)

10/11 Youth Cross Country Meet at Robinswood Park, 10am (link)

10/11 Weekly Children's Storytime at Barnes & Noble Bellevue 11am-noon (link)

10/11 Japan Week at Bellevue College Festival Day 10am-5pm, other events starting 10/6 (link)

10/11 Headliner Dee Daniels Quartet in Bellevue Jazz & Blues Music Series, 7:30-9pm (link)

10/16 Great Washington Shakeout at 10:16am 

10/16 Hopelink's Reaching Out celebration, 5:30-8pm (link)

10/17 Day of the Dead Celebration at Crossroads Community Center, 6-8pm (link) (Puesta del Sol will also have an event open to the public on Nov 2nd)

10/18 Arbor Day planting at Lewis Creek Park 10/18 Keep Bellevue Beautiful cleanup in BelRed, 9-10am (link)

10/18 Master Gardeners: Combining plants for garden color all year, 9:30-10:30am (link)

10/18 BelRed Run Club at Downtown Park, with Lululemon Cooldown Yoga and social at Yezi Coconut Dessert, 10am (link)

10/18 Theatre33's Mawgli performance of the Jungle Book in Russian (no subtitles) for ages 5+, 1pm (link)

10/19 Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair, starts 10am at Unity of Bellevue (link)

10/21 Downtown Talks breakfast with Dow Constantine, 7:30-9am (link)

10/22 Made in Bellevue- Decorating Pumpkins lunchtime crafting activity, drop in 11-1pm (link)

10/22 Upcycling for gifts Zero Waste class at Lake Hills Library, 6-7pm (link)

10/24 Monster Mash Halloween Bash at the Northwest Arts Center, 5:30-8pm (link) - indoor play gym and treats, Fre

e10/24-10/26 First weekend of Phantom (a steampunk retelling, not a musical) at BYT (link)

10/25 Master Gardeners: Creating a happy home for houseplants, 9:30-10:30am (link)

10/25 October Harvest Market (by Bellevue Farmers Market), 10am-3pm (link)

10/25 Residential Permitting Expo at Bellevue City Hall, 10am-1pm (link) - ADUs, MyBuildingPermit.com, and meet city staff! 

10/25 Halloween on the HIll at SBCC, 10-6:30pm, great for ages 3-14 (link) - pumpkin race, carnival, and magic show

10/25 BelRed Arts Studio opening celebration 11-1pm (link)

10/25 Halloween Spooktacular at Crossroads - pumpkin decorating, Truck-or-Treat, and more 12-3pm (link) 

10/25 Trick or Treat with the Farm Animals at Kelsey Creek Farm (must preregister),  $30-36, 1-3pm

10/26 Little Monsters on Main St, 1-3pm (link)

10/27 Jet City Improv's Improv 101 starts at the NW Arts Center in Bellevue (7 week class), 7:30pm (link) There are also classes on Tues/Wed/Thu for more advanced students. 

10/29 Halloween Luncheon at NBCC, 55+, 11:30-1pm

10/31 Halloween Factoria, 4:30-6:30pm (link) meet characters and trick-or-treat 

10/31 Open Mic night at Third Culture Coffee, 7-9pm (link)

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