Meetings for the week of October 26th
News: Bellevue Councilmember Vishal Bhargava has just been announced as the Chief Performance and Accountability Officer for King County
Tuesday, October 27th
City Council, 6pm (link)
Oral Communications: Speakers may register starting at noon on the day of the meeting (link), and are usually allotted three minutes each. If you want to sign up for the public hearing on the budget, register here, and the opportunity to speak will follow soon afterward.
Consent Calendar:
- Minutes from 10/13/26
- Set public hearing for potential release of an existing water easement located at 12505 NE Bellevue-Redmond Rd. - Soma Homes' Bel Red Townhomes (19 townhomes)
- Set public hearing for potential release of a public utility easement located at 15503 SE 27th Street - Four detached single family homes proposed by Everton Homes on ⅓ acre. A trail separates the easement from the WSP facility.
- Authorize Amendment 1 to Professional Services Agreement (PO #2150350) with Yates, Wood & MacDonald, Inc. to increase the contract by $350k plus tax, for a total contract value up to $1.6M for an additional two (2) years of property management services at Bayvue Village Apartments.
- Authorize contract amendment for ARC Architects in the amount of $302k plus tax, for a total contract value up to $2M for architectural and engineering services for the new Park Operations Facility.
Public hearing on the 2027-2028 budget
If you want to sign up for the public hearing on the budget, register here. You can speak in-person or via Zoom.
This public hearing is the final of three public hearing opportunities for residents and other stakeholders to comment on the development of the city's 2027-2028 Budget and 2027-2032 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Plan, including all levies, taxes, fees, and rates. This hearing, as well as the two previous public hearings (held on June 23 and September 15), represents a series of important opportunities for the public to inform the council regarding what is important to fund and what is less important.
Wednesday, October 28th
Cascade Water Alliance’s Board Meeting, 3:30-5pm (link)
Planning Commission, 6:30pm (link)
Written Communications (link) - family apartments for BelRed, feedback on Downtown Livability 2.0, questions about affordable housing, development capacity transfer, and growth pays for growth, requested flexibility in the proposed street grid and Green Streets requirement.
From the canceled 10/14 meeting: Great Neighborhoods: Introduction Lake Hills & West Lake Sammamish The outreach plan and timeline are provided, and adoption by City Council is expected by December 2027. There was another document about Future Land Use Map changes included with the previous meeting’s documents, but the Agenda Memo says that no one applied for this. The outreach plan and timeline are provided, and adoption by City Council is expected by December 2027.
BelRed LUCA Public Hearing This LUCA provides a range of improvements that increase the development capacity throughout BelRed. These include significant increases to base and maximum FAR, maximum building height, floor plate limits, and removing the lot coverage limit. The Office of Housing will also provide recommendations on any updates to the MFTE code which may also help support the LUCA while City Council is considering the Planning Commission’s recommendation for this LUCA. A street grid is proposed with this update on page 92 of the strike draft, and potential exemptions are the subject of frequent requests from property owners (and myself, since I am questioning the value of the road through the new park, even if that segment is more of a question for Transportation instead of Planning). It is also interesting to see the maps of active use building frontages and ground floor facades on pages 105 and 108, and the underlying street grid is easier to see on these maps.
During the last meeting, there was a reduction in the sidewalk widths that will be expected with a development agreement (DA) from 10 feet to 8 feet (page 142), and the previous requirement for three public benefits with a DA is being streamlined to require a significant investment in at least one public benefit (additional 60% AMI affordable housing, affordable commercial space for a non-profit, park, public art, or an outdoor plaza). A DA may allow buildings to be up to 450’ tall (page 141). Bridge Housing recently got a DA for 1500 130th Avenue NE.
Since the meeting, there has also been streamlining of the critical areas overlay district standards and design standards. There will also be more projects eligible for on-street parking reductions and new amenity bonus point options for “affordable commercial space reserved for nonprofit organizations with an arts mission,” and the addition of Detention Centers as a prohibited use.
Staff will provide more information about a Regional Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program that would create permanent conservation easements in rural areas in exchange for amenity points, which may reduce the amenities available to BelRed residents. The Planning Commission has expressed support for continuing this program since the TDR credits that have already been used have met the cap on what was allowed, but the new number of credits that would be available has not been determined yet. See page 54 for the Amenities that don’t count toward the cap on building size (active use, affordable commercial, and affordable housing, up to the square footage of the parcel), and page 111 for the childcare and grocery store exemptions. Amenity bonus points justifications are on pages 112-125 (affordable housing; affordable commercial space for a “qualified business” or non-profit or nonprofit with an arts classification [greater in the BelRed Station and Two Creeks areas] or at risk of displacement; park dedication; trail dedication and easement; stream restoration or easement for future daylighting/restoration; Regional Transfer of Development Rights (TDR); public art; outdoor plaza; green building certification; natural drainage practices; local street or green street dedication). These bonus points can be used to increase building size between the base FAR and the maximum FAR. You can compare the bonus points for Wilburton, which are on pages 72-78. There is a separate Green and Sustainability Factor Score which quantifies things like greenery, water conservation, bike parking, and more (these seem like amenities to me) on pages 38-43.
Staff is proposing a different kind of Catalyst than was used in Wilburton, so BelRed might have A. increased incentives for 60% AMI affordable housing rather than 80% AMI affordable housing, B. MHA fee reductions immediately next to the stations, C. more points for arts in the arts district intensive area (see page 91 of the strike draft), and/or D. a 25% increase in the FAR for the earliest buildings that get permitted after the code change. Also, Wilburton and HOMA (mixed use areas and neighborhood centers) had MFTE superchargers to eliminate the overlapping rule for affordable housing that is expected to have deeper affordability when it satisfies multiple requirements, and this may be provided to BelRed too.
Downtown Livability 2.0 request for hearing
Also see the substantive comments about this LUCA in the Written Communications doc.
Since the most recent Downtown Livability work was completed recently in 2017, the level of outreach on this version has been a bit lighter. This may be the meeting where it receives the most discussion, since the draft came out less than a month ago. The Planning Commission could schedule the hearing now if they feel this draft is ready to go, or have an additional meeting to discuss refinements before the hearing is held. The timeline has this in front of City Council in March-May 2027.
Some of the changes: The active use definition is being updated to be more flexible and the active use requirement is being reduced from 100% to 75% of the street frontage on “A” and “B” rights-of-way. More amenity points (increase from 16 to 30 per sqft) will be awarded for indoor performing arts spaces (page 105). Increasing minimum sidewalk widths from 12 to 14 feet in areas of Main Street, NE 10th Street, NE 12th Street, portions of 112th Avenue NE, and other locations shown on the attached map (this means an actual unobstructed pedestrian sidewalk width of approximately 8 to 9 feet), replacing the map on page 131. Building entrance requirement clarification (pages 142-143). Ground floor transparency (page 146), option for open space, bench and trash can requirement (page 148), weather protection requirements (page 150). Blank wall standards for a 20’ maximum, and according to the letter, column/wall requirements so it’s not more than 30’ of continuous glass. Amenity points for affordable commercial space. With 20% affordable commercial, increased FAR exemption up to 1.5 for active uses in the first two floors (page 86 and 89), and/or “Allowing every square foot of floor area in commercial spaces to count as two exempt square feet of ground- and second-floor active use FAR exempt floor area to promote more affordable spaces for small business, reduce vacancy and promote ground-floor vibrancy” - sounds like it will reduce what is actually created to 0.75 FAR if each commercial unit is under 5000 sqft (page 87-90). Ongoing discussions with the Transportation Department related to outdoor dining and Right-of-Way use will further clarify how business can use spaces outside the buildings to activate the street and invite more visitors (Agenda Memo). Amenity points for water features are being removed (page 106) and Green & Sustainability Factor score for vegetated walls increased.
For Main St in Old Bellevue, if storefronts are more than 15 feet in width, be divided into smaller bays through architectural treatments (page 156), and restricting individual commercial spaces on the ground floor to a maximum of 5,000 square feet. It is also not included in the reduction from 100% to 75% of active uses despite being an “A” right-of-way, but the increased flexibility in the definition of an active use will apply here. Historic Property Documentation will be required for buildings over 50 years old (page 167).
Some of the other changes are elimination of second-floor habitable use requirements in parking garages (page 155), connecting floor plates only for pedestrian circulation (page 78), extra 50% floor plate size for mass timber and increased floor plate flexibility for Performing Arts Centers (page 81), eliminating the floor plate reduction above trigger heights (pages 91 and 127-128), and residential amenities on building rooftops (extra story or 20’, may increase noise experienced by neighboring buildings) (pages 60 and 78).
There are some interesting notes in the Engagement Report; survey respondents were unfavorable to the Lime micromobility options. They ranked green spaces, trees and vegetation most highly as an amenity, and ground floor business as the most positive for the downtown experience. Grocery stores and daily needs in walking distance are the most important housing-related amenities. There are also tons of intriguing free-response answers, which might be worth reviewing if you are planning to comment. There are some comments about the Compass Plaza trees that were cut down, and the plan for replacement of the large oak is being deleted on page 165.
Also, do you think the bonus points are allocated in line with the community benefit from each? There is a bonus point allocation for historic preservation which seems miscalibrated at $10 of construction cost per bonus point (page 107) in comparison with the requirement for 0.5 sqft of affordable commercial space per bonus point (page 109).
Draft Minutes:
City Council, 10/13/26 (link)
Planning Commission, 9/9/26 (link) and 9/23/26 (link)
Upcoming meetings:
11/3 City Council study session and update on Public Space Management process improvements in partnership with permitting departments.
11/4 Cascade Supply Program Oversight Committee Special Meeting
11/4 Arts Commission meeting canceled
11/4 Planning Commission retreat
11/5 Network on Aging
11/5 Cascade Resource Management Commitee
11/5 KC Affordable Housing Committee (Sumadiwirya)
11/5 BSD School Board meeting
11/5 ESC: Solid Waste Performance Update, Water System Plan Final Draft and Recommendation, Storm and System Water Plan Update
11/9 Public Meeting: Legacy Gallery design review, virtual, 6pm (link)
11/12 PSRC Transportation Policy Board (Nieuwenhuis)
11/17 City Council is scheduled to review proposed 2026 Comprehensive Plan Amendments, including the upzone of Evans Plaza
11/18 KC Growth Management Planning Council (Nieuwenhuis)
11/18 Planning Commission: Economic Development Plan Update, Wilburton Sustainable District Phase 2 update
11/19 PSRC GMPB (Bhargava)
11/19 Building Belonging: Diversity Advantage Plan event, 6pm (link)
12/2 PSRC Economic Development District Board (Sumadiwirya)
12/3 BSD School Board meeting
12/9 Downtown Livability 2.0 Public Hearing
12/17 BSD School Board meeting starts at 2pm
1/13 Planning Commission process improvements (staff response to survey)
1/27 Pedestrian Bridge CPA Introduction, Grid Capacity Implementation workplan
Opportunities:
https://newbellevue.com/get-involved/ will be updated as items come in, and has items which are still open. Some surveys and new items:
The City Council is accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the Parks & Community Services Board. Interested Bellevue residents are encouraged to apply online by 5 p.m., Friday, October 30th.
The Office of Emergency Management is seeking volunteers in Communications Support (HAM radio), Community Engagement and Outreach, and Emergency Response Support (link).
Events and Community Calendar:
https://newbellevue.com/events/
10/16-10/26 Living Roots exhibition at Yuan Ru Art Center, 11am-6pm
In Clay, Together: Ceramics exhibition at Viya Contemporary, through December 15th
10/18-10/31 Seattle Restaurant Week, featuring Bellevue restaurants Cantinetta, Bis on Main, La Mar Cocina Peruana, Lao Ma Tou Hot Pot, Chay Concept Vegetarian, Haidilao Hot Pot, Seastar, Melting Pot, STK Steakhouse, The Lakehouse, Forum Social House, Japonessa, Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya, Peony Modern Kitchen, El Gaucho, Earl's Kitchen and Bar, The Lounge at John Howie, Minamoto, Wild Wasabi, I Love Sushi, Ramen Nori, DongBei Harvest, Chili Master, Spicy PoPo, Shabu Shabu Kyoto, Meet Fresh, and Novilhos Brazilian Steakhouse (link) Ascend is also offering Elevated Nights pre fixe menu Sun-Thurs. through November 5th for $95 (link). Fogrose Atelier in Kirkland has a Hocus Pocus Afternoon Tea on Fri/Sat/Sun through Nov 1st, and it sounds delicious.
10/22-10/25 Get a free Classic Thai Tea at Omo Thai Tea when you buy their new Thai Milk Bun
10/25 BelRed Run Club x Vuori Bellevue Square, 8:30-11am (link) - long and short runs (30 minute run/walk, 12 miles, and 18 miles), matcha, and a 20% discount at Vuori. RSVP on Strava or Eventbrite - waitlist
10/25 Heartfulness Sunday Group Meditation at NWAC, 9:15am (link) - on Sundays
10/25 Mercer Island and Lake WA Bridges bike ride meets at the Wilburton Park and Ride, 9:30am-12:30pm (link) - every Sunday
10/25 Halloween children's book reading with the author at Toloka, ages 2-8, $5, 10am-noon (link) - costumes are welcome, cocoa will be provided
10/25 Museum of Fright at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, 10am-4pm (link) - free admission for guests 17 and under in costume (see costume policy), enjoy face-painting, photo booth, Seattle Universal Math Museum, giant coloring sheets, Bats Northwest, workshops, a planetarium show, mad science shows, and live music (face painting opens early to members at 9am)
10/25 Acquaint weekly walk at Bannerwood Park, 10:30-11:25am - signup is requested (link)
10/25 Leica's M11 Owners Workshop, $250, 10:30am-4:30pm - also 12/13
10/24-10/25 Two days of Flamenco workshops at Flamenco Haven with Cristina Hall, noon and 1:45pm - includes alegrias with abanico (fan) and bata de cola
10/25 Family Halloween Party at Forum Social House, noon-3pm (link)
10/25 Youth Workshop: Mind, Body & Me at Bellevue Botanical Garden, for grade 7 and above, scouts can get badges, $60 (discount for BBG members), 12:30-3:30pm (link) - journals and yoga mats will be provided
10/25 Free Women's Self Defense class at City Hall, 1:20pm
10/25 The Washington Wind Symphony: Legends, Superheroes, & Storytellers in Redmond, 2-3:30pm (link)
10/25 Christian Singles Match Event & Mingle Mixer(30-39) at Cafe Hagen, 2-4pm (link)
10/25 Bellevue Symphony Fall Extravaganza: with Totentanz by Liszt at Meydenbauer Center, starting at $30, 3-5pm (link)
10/25 Get Live with Global Heat at Crossroads Market Stage, 3:30-5pm - interactive musical experience (link)
10/25 Harmonic Glowing, Finding Authenticity at Yuan Ru Art Center, $100, 4:30pm (link)- an auditory soundscape journey
10/25 Last day to sign up for the Tuesday evening Hand-carved wooden jewelry class at Bellevue College (three week class)
10/25 Seahawks vs. Chiefs watch party at Mirra, 5pm (link)
10/25 Full Moon Meditation at Downtown Park, 6-7:30pm (link)
10/25 Sunset Salsa Bachata Social with DJ Spicy at Bravo Dance School, 6-8:30pm
10/25 Andy Stokes & The Bake's Place All-Stars: The Great Male Voices of Soul and R&B at Bake's Place, 7-8:30 (link) - doors open at 5pm
10/25 Basilica Bio Beach Night: Puget Sound Citizen Science at Constellation Park in Seattle, $5-$25, 7:30-9:30pm (link) - Bring a flashlight, sturdy shoes, and warm layers, and learn how to identify and photograph intertidal organisms, contribute observations to iNaturalist, and look for sea stars as part of the Sea Star Wasting Disease Observation Project.
10/26 Bloodworks NW blood drive at ChemPoint, 8am-2pm (link)
10/26 Meet Michael Rosen, 41st LD candidate at Belle Pastry, 9-11am
10/26 Spooktacular Family Halloween Party: North Bellevue Community Center Boo Bash, free to register, all ages, 5-7pm (link) - Games, crafts, tasty treats, music, and festive Halloween activities, 70 spots left as of 10/23
10/26 Downtown Park Walk with Eastside Walking Gals
10/26 From Meeting People To Making Friends workshop with Connected, $25, 7-8:30pm (link)
10/26 Practica/Social Dancing at Bravo Dance Studio, $8, 7:55-9:15 - low pressure practice with DJed music and instructors available for help, recurs on Mondays
10/27-10/29 Washington Festivals & Events Conference at the Marriott
10/27 Car Seat Checks at Seattle Children's Bellevue Clinic and Surgery Center, 10am-1pm (link) - sign up online, offered on second and fourth Tuesdays
10/27 Workforce of Tomorrow (Seattle AI Week) at Bellevue Library, 10am-noon (link) - Workforce of Tomorrow brings together industry leaders and workforce voices to explore the jobs and skills emerging across the physical AI economy and how we prepare people to step into what comes next.
10/27 St. Edwards with Tracks Tuesday Trails 50+ Hiking, which meets at NBCC, transportation provided, $8, 10am-2pm (link)
10/27 Ruru6 dessert pop-up at Je T'aime Blooms in the Spring District - I don't see this on their social media anymore, not sure if it's canceled.
10/27 King County Council meeting with general public comment (doesn't have to be about an item on the agenda), 1:30pm
10/27 Craft a Character at NBCC, ages 5 and under with adult, free to register, 5-6pm (link) - on Tuesdays until 10/27. This week's book is Here, George!
10/27 Ways to Peace: The Art of Listening at Bellevue Library is a three part class (please also attend on 10/28 and 11/4), 5-7:30pm (link)
10/27 BelRed Run Club -Bellevue Botanical Garden Walk, 5:15pm (RSVP on Strava)
10/27 Board Game Demos with Ray at Mox Boarding House, 6pm on Tuesdays
10/27 Eastside 3D Printing Meetup at Bellevue Library, waitlist, 6-7:30pm (link) - also 11/7 from 1-3pm in Redmond
10/27 BSD Early Literacy Screening and Dyslexia Family Event in Wilburton (WISC) and online (Teams), 6-7:30pm (link)
10/27 Blood on the Clocktower Social Deduction Game, 6pm (link) - on Tuesdays
10/27 Tea and Mahjong at FogRose in Kirkland, $25, includes tea and dessert, 6-9pm (link)
10/28-10/30 Moonbee Matcha pop-up at Doce Donut, 8:30am-3pm
10/28 Bloodworks NW blood drive at Aldersgate United Methodist Church (Eastgate), 9am-3pm (link)
10/28 Jazz Funk classes at Dovgan Dance, $35 (there's a 2 for 1 deal) 11am and 8:30pm (link) - on Wednesdays through 12/16
10/28 Intro to Sublimation Printing & Heat Presses at Bellevue Library Makerspace, 11:30am-12:30pm (link) - registration opens 10/21
10/28 BSD Sustainability Symposium 2026 at City Hall, 3-7pm (link) - student-led event with presentations, environmental resources, and opportunities to get involved, and how the climate action microgrants can help bring your ideas to life. Open to students, educators, families, and community members. Food will be provided.
10/28 Teen Book Babble at Bellevue Library, 3:30-5:30pm (link) - on 4th Wednesdays (11/25, 12/23, 1/27, and 2/24)
10/28 The Mint Gardener and WANDERLAND magazine launch at glassybaby's Wilburton store, 5-8pm - also see similar event on 10/23
10/28 Tai Chi on the Terrace at the Westin, free, 5:30-6:30pm (link) - on Wednesdays
10/28 The 19th Hole: Seattle AI Week Founder Social hosted by MeeBoss, 5:30-7:30pm (link)
10/28 Gut Health workshop at Overlake Medical Center, including samples from Firefly Kitchens, 6-7pm (link)
10/28 WAREI North Meetup - AI for Investors, 6pm (link)
10/28 PEPS Community Panel on Mental Health Across Cultures: Building Resilience in Our Youth at the BSD Welcome Center in Wilburton, free, 6-7:30pm (link)
10/28 Tango Club at Toloka, beginners welcome, by donation, $25 provides one day of care at a children's center in Ukraine, 7-8pm - every Wednesday
10/28 ELLA Casual Conversation 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at Lincoln Square, free, 7-9pm (link)
10/28 Noche de los Muertos Eastside Jam Open Mic at BelRed Arts Studio with spotlight performances by Mel Lanzeiri, Wisteria Drive, DJ Sted, and Matt Nai, communal ofrenda craft, and art for sale, 7-10pm - free snacks and drinks provided, sound and backline provided. Tickets are limited, pay what you can, open mic signup at 7pm.
10/29 Friends Breakfast to support Boys and Girls Club of Bellevue, 7:30-9am (link)
10/29 Bellevue Library Makerspace Mending Circle, ages 13 and older, 11am-1pm on Thursdays, registration not required, each week there is a specific method shown with supplies to practice.
10/29 Data security and compliance reporting for enterprise AI at the Mercer Island Library, 2-3pm (link)
10/29 Trunk or Treat at Spring District Park, free, all ages, 3-5pm (link) - pumpkin decorating station, costume contest and prizes, spooky dog treats, and coffee and chocolate tasting at DOTE
10/29 AI and Consumer Safety | ACME Brains x IMA x Stifel Venture Banking x Escalon, 4-6pm (link)
10/29 Speed Match Event & Mingle Mixer:(30-39) at Cafe Hagen, $35, 5:30-7:30pm (link)
10/29 Spanish Conversation Meetup at the Starbucks near Bellevue Way and Main, 5:30pm (link) - Join us to practice Spanish, meet new people, and enjoy a relaxed conversation. Free and open to adults of all levels! (also 11/12, 11/26, and 12/10)
10/29 The Season Ahead: A grounding space for parents of ADHD students event on Mercer Island, 5:30-7:30pm (link)
10/29 Pumpkin Painting workshop at Toloka, $45, 6-8pm (link)
10/29 Bellevue Women's Book Club - Saturday Night Ghost Club by Craig Davidson, 6:30-8pm (link)
10/29 Trivia Night at Mox Boarding House, 7-10pm (link) - monthly pub trivia
10/30 Women's Health Summit at Meydenbauer Center, 8am
10/30 Bloodworks NW blood drive at AAA Washington (Eastgate), 9:30am-3:30pm (link)
10/30-10/31 Matcha Magic closing event 25% off everything, and BOGO on their last day, which is 11/1
10/30 Mini City Hall will host an ICHS expert who can assist anyone with health insurance questions, including those related to the recent Apple Health eligibility changes. 10am-1pm (link link, from Neighborhood News) - recurs on Fridays
10/30 ThinkCyber Day at UW Bothell, 10am-6pm
10/30 Open Source for AI hosts a Founders, Investors, Tech Leaders Lunch, noon-1:30pm (link)
10/30 Ladies' Cha Cha classes at Dovgan Dance, $35 (there's a 2 for 1 deal) 12:30 and 5:30pm (link) - on Fridays through 12/11
10/30 Trunk or Treat Spooktacular Festival and Open House at the Goddard School of Eastgate, 4-6pm - welcoming friends, family, and neighbors
10/30 한국어 스토리타임 / Korean Story Time at Newport Way Library, 4:45-5:30pm (link) - on Fridays through 12/18, but not on 11/13
10/30 Seattle Synchro artistic swimming tryouts for boys at Bellevue Aquatic Center, 5pm (link)
10/30 Monster Mash Halloween Bash at Northwest Arts Center, 5:30-8pm (link) - this free, indoor celebration invites families and neighbors to wander through a playful trick-or-treat route filled with themed crafts, hands-on activities and plenty of candy to discover. There will be an Indoor Play gym for toddlers. No pre-registration required.
10/30 East Meets West: Hindustani and Western classical music at Crossroads Community Center, $15 general/ $10 students and seniors, 6pm (link)
10/30 Eastside Día de los Muertos Latino H.E.A.T Ofrenda Contest at Sammamish HS, 6-9pm (link)
10/30-11/8 First weekend of Bellevue Youth Theatre's Sleepy Hollow, $15, shows at 7pm and 2pm (link) - reserve tickets early since it is an intimate theatre space. This show is recommended for audiences age 10 and up.
10/30 Millennial Social Club's Board Games and Boba meetup at Lincoln Square South, free, 7-10pm (link) - Fridays (also 10/30, 11/6, 11/13, and 11/20)
10/30 Checkmate Fridays at Lincoln Square South, 7pm (link)
10/30 Annie Eastwood and Her All-Stars at Bake's Place, 8-9:30pm (link)
10/30 W After Dark at the Living Room Bar, 8:30pm-1am (link) - Fridays and Saturdays
10/30 Bollyween party at Mirra, $15, 10:30pm (link)