Meetings for the week of September 8th

Nicole Myers

— 9 min read

Monday, September 8th

Funding cycle overview: Commission will review needs update in Sept/Oct and make funding recommendations in Oct/Nov

Human Services Need Update data analysis to be presented (at the July meeting, we were told to expect it to be "densely packed with information"), but this is not yet available in the meeting materials. The minutes from July also have much more detail about the Community Crisis Assistance Team, Bellevue Fire CARES operations, and police initiatives than were shared before the last meeting. 

Tuesday, September 9th

Council Liaison Recommendation for Appointment to the Transportation Commission is Anthony Welcher 

Consent Calendar

Claims and payroll, $31M and $19M

Reject bid protest and award Northwest Bellevue Walkways and Safety Improvement Project to Pivetta Brothers Construction for work on NE 100th between 14th and 24th (Northtowne) to cost $7.25M (funded in the 2025-2030 General CIP). Includes water main replacement. 

Award bid for $1.7M for the removal of temporary patches and installation of permanent asphalt and concrete on roadways and sidewalks to AA Asphalting, LLC. 

Agreement with Hughes Fire Equipment, Inc. to purchase one replacement fire engine for the Bellevue Fire Department, in an amount not to exceed $1,458,926. Lead time is ~51 months. 

Amend the pass-through funding agreement between King County Metro (KCM) and the City of Bellevue to accept $69k in additional Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds for the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Implementation and SchoolPool programs term ending in December. The program includes advance promotion of upcoming multimodal transportation services and infrastructure, especially the 2 Line light rail.

Accept up to $397,601 of state funding for the reimbursement of project costs associated with the Kelsey Creek Regional Detention Facilities Retrofit Study, to evaluate the potential retrofit of eight existing regional detention ponds for better stormwater treatment performance in reducing pollutants such as total suspended solids (TSS), oil, and dissolved metals.

Other Resolutions

Adjust the boundary between Bellevue and Kirkland, giving them our part of the South Kirkland Park and Ride (and part of the CKC) and giving us the entire intersection of NE 38th Pl. and 108th Ave. NE. (We continue to have control and ownership over the adjacent 108th Ave NE right-of-way and the traffic signals at NE 37th Ct). Bellevue should have a meaningful and substantial role (voting member, adequate notice, etc) in all permitting decisions related to the property that are specifically connected to the development of the SKPR, but not decisions about things like paving the trail. Water service to SKPR will be realigned to come from Kirkland later. 

2025 Economic Development Plan, covering results of the data analysis and community engagement, and the recommended strategic framework for the 2026 Plan. Employment up to 154,433 in 2023. Bellevue’s median household income increased 39% from 2018 – 2023.  Tourism tax revenues have almost reached 2019 levels ($12.4M). Eastgate and Factoria corridor struggles with record levels of vacancy (42 percent) in the nicer offices. Bubble chart with job sector trends. Long presentation with much more data created by Ernst & Young is attached, and upcoming presentations will provide the Plan’s direct strategies and implementation plan. 

Potential changes to City Council rules, the Bellevue City Code, and board and commission bylaws related to exclusion from future meetings (increase from 60 days to 180 days) and limit to two consecutive terms on any combination of Council advisory boards or commissions, to broaden opportunities for participation. 

Intergovernmental affairs monthly update report provided.

Wednesday, September 10th 

Written Communications pdf has themes of HOMA concerns, Critical Area Ordinance expert commentary, and feedback on the Newport Hills NAP update process

Housing Opportunities in Mixed Use Areas (HOMA)  (link)Commissioners will vote at this meeting about whether we are ready to schedule the public hearing on HOMA (there is a slot on the PC calendar for 10/8) 

Map of proposed Building Heights is included as Attachment C. Much of the affected area is around Eastgate and Factoria, which is interesting in light of the 42% 4-5 star office vacancy rate there mentioned in the City Council meeting materials. 

Since the City has adopted a target to create 5,700 affordable housing units between 2026-2036, this LUCA will assist the City in achieving this goal by creating a new affordable housing program in the mixed-use areas

There was an IOC in 2023, extended in 2024, that tested regulatory flexibility in exchange for affordable housing - A larger floor area ratio (FAR) exemption paired with a higher market-to-affordable unit square footage ratio  Parking reductions  Reduced upper-level stepbacks  Flexible FAR “movement” within a project  Other form standard flexibility. See recent post on newbellevue.com for more information about the IOC and HOMA, with a recent example

The current HOMA strike draft incorporating recent feedback proposes a 15-foot stepback for the first full story above 110 feet in building height unless the building utilizes mass timber construction.The transition standards propose an added landscaped 25-foot setback for mixed-use projects which directly abut a residential zoning district. A 15-foot stepback is also proposed for any floor of a building over 80 feet in height. Setbacks and general site landscaping requirements are proposed to be eliminated in mixed-use areas unless abutting a residential district. Removal of transition area height restrictions is proposed to avoid constraints on housing production. 

Lower density districts such as Neighborhood Business (NB) and Community Business (CB) allow building heights of 4-7 stories and generally represent a compatible step from neighboring 3-4 story residential districts indicating the presence of a neighborhood center. (Note: the map says 3-5 stories?) 

Option A includes a mandatory affordable housing program (Attachment A) where buildings would provide affordable housing or pay a fee-in-lieu. Option B includes a voluntary affordable housing program to get 20-30' of additional height and an FAR bonus. Unclear in this memo whether the bonus FAR ratio is 2:5 or 1:4. 

Two new Land Use Districts, Mixed-Use: 7 Story (MU7) and Mixed-Use: 16 Story (MU16), are proposed.

An Economic Analysis document is provided which compares the relative costs of different types of development. HOMA proposes to add affordable housing to the amenity incentive system, requiring the first 25 percent of amenity incentive points a project must earn be earned through the provision of affordable housing. (Amenity points are needed to exceed base height or the floor area above the base). Scenarios were generated to evaluate likely costs to developers. 

Parking is proposed to be reduced from a minimum of one space per unit to 0.5 spaces per unit in the DT-R, DT-MU, DT-OB, and DT-OLB districts. For areas outside of Downtown, Bellevue will launch outreach about reduced parking requirements (for SB 5184 compliance) in early 2026. 

There are design standards related to residential building entries, pedestrian connectivity, connections to adjacent open space, loading and storage areas, and parking structures. F1, EG-TOD, and Downtown have their own design standards

FAR exemption for grocery, childcare, non-profits, affordable commercial, and open space beyond 30% is planned. 

Planning Commission roles & responsibilities presentation by the City Attorney's Office Maintaining consistency between local land use regulations and the comprehensive plan.The training will explain the difference between Comprehensive Plan amendments (CPAs) and Land Use Code amendments (LUCAs), discuss the Planning Commission’s role as it processes CPAs and LUCAs, and identify best practices that the Planning Commission may employ when providing a recommendation to the City Council on a proposed CPA or LUCA. The training will also include an overview of Planning Commission public meetings, with a specific focus on Process IV public hearings and the Planning Commission Bylaws.Obligations under the Open Public Meetings Act, the Public Records Act, and the Code of Ethics for City Advisory Boards and Commissions

Thursday, September 11th 

Regional Transportation Plan Scenario Analysis and Plan Update Schedule 

Introduction of new commissioner (Anthony Welcher, if approved by the Council on Tuesday)

Mobility Implementation Plan (MIP) Update: An update was last adopted in 2022, and work on the new one started in 2024. On October 9, staff will seek a final recommendation from the Commission on the update of the Mobility Implementation Plan and approval of a transmittal letter to the City Council. The update includes:

Changes to the Pedestrian Level of Traffic Stress (PLTS) metrics, performance targets, and prioritization  

Bicycle Level of Traffic Stress (BLTS) added a speed limit factor of 1.2x, BLTS target for intersections (to match lowest stress adjacent street), and added an East Bellevue Greenway alternate corridor on 164th Ave. 

Project Identification and Prioritization was updated in 2024.

Will supersede and replace the 2009 Pedestrian and Bicycle Transportation Plan for the arterial network - the 2009 maps will now be attached as Appendix A to show the planned off-street/trail active transportation network. 

Updates to tables/maps/figures 

Appendix H was added to feature project concepts that would potentially increase road capacity

Upcoming meetings:  

9/17 Growth Management Planning Council (GMPC) meeting, 4-6pm 

9/18 BSD School Board Meeting 

9/18 Electrical Reliability Workshop, 4-5:30pm (link) City Hall and virtual 

9/18 NEP open house at NWAC for Northwest Bellevue 

9/19 Regional TOD Committee 10-noon 

9/24 Planning Commission Critical Areas Ordinance LUCA 

10/2 ESC: Sewer cost-of-service analysis, Utility Bill Assistance Program Expansion

10/4 Factoria Neighborhood Scan (Great Neighborhoods walking tour), 10-noon (link)

10/4 Eastgate Neighborhood Scan (Great Neighborhoods walking tour), 10-noon (link)

10/7 Environmental Sustainability draft at Council, for adoption Nov 18th 

10/8 Quarterly BDC meeting 

10/8 Planning Commission: HOMA, Neighborhood Area Planning – Eastgate & Factoria 

10/9 Transportation Commission: MIP and TFP updates, Curb Pricing study update 

10/16 Innovation Exchange 9am-7pm (link)

10/22 Planning Commission: CAO LUCA, Affordable Housing Strategy Update 

11/6 ESC: Wastewater System Plan Update, Solid Waste Program Update, Utility Bill Assistance Program 

Opportunities: 

Volunteers for the Bellevue Farmers Market are needed (link)

Safe Speeds Bellevue survey (link) How safe do you feel on 30+ mph streets? What areas of the city should we focus on first in our review and for future speed limit reductions?

Speed Safety Cameras survey (link)Where should cameras be located? 

Sustainable Bellevue Plan Phase II survey (link) - closes Monday, September 8th! Your responses will be used to inform our update to the 2026-2030 Sustainable Bellevue Plan. This survey should take about 5-10 minutes to complete.

Eastgate Neighborhood Plan questionnaire (link)

Factoria Neighborhood Plan questionnaire (link)

Regional Transportation Plan survey (link)

Recurring events: Flowers and produce

Tuesdays: Crossroads Farmers Market, 12-6pm (link) 

Thursdays: Bellevue Farmers Market, 3-7pm (link)

U-pick Blueberries at Mercer Slough and Larsen Lake are open every day except Monday, and see link for farmstand hours (link) 

Bellevue Botanical Garden has garden tours, classes, and other events (link)In September, Copper Kettle is closed on Mondays but is open from 10am-2pm on other days, and sandwiches can be pre-ordered (link)

Fun and educational events:

9/6 Swim Across America fundraiser for Fred Hutch on Lake Sammamish, 8am (link)

9/6 Eastside Escapade - 19 mile group walk from Downtown Park > Kirkland > Marymoor, 9am start

(Note: expect delays due to the I-405 northbound closure in the Downtown Bellevue area this weekend)

9/6 NW Ukrainian International Festival (link)

9/6 Waterfront Park Grand Opening in Seattle

9/6 $5 Yoga in the park, 10:30am (link)

9/6 Ranger Led Hike at Lewis Creek Park (link)

9/6-9/7 BrickCon 2025 Lego convention 

9/6 Island of Hope performance Bellevue Youth Theatre, 2pm, followed by Open House (link)

9/6 Ascend Summer Social (link)

9/7 Multicultural Latin-X Celebration 9-1:30 at Crossroads Park (link)

9/8 Swing Dance Lessons 10-11am NBCC (link)

9/9 End of Summer Senior Social at BBG 10am-noon (link)

9/9 Art on the Avenue guided tour 5:30-6:30 (link) recurring Tuesdays 

9/10 Lego Brick Builders at Bellevue Library 1:30-2:30pm (link) recurring event on Wednesdays

9/10 CISC Interpretive Chinese Dance (link)

9/10 Island Beats and Little Feet (link)

9/11 Skateboard Clinics at Bellevue Skate Park, ages 6-16 (link)

9/11 Bellevue Youth Link Open House - youth leadership and community service 

9/11 India American Community Service dance at NBCC, 7-8pm (link)

9/12 Huayin Cultural Dance Performances at Crossroads, 10am-noon (link)

9/12 Mariachi Performance at NBCC, 1-2pm (link)

9/12 Rhythm of Colors art opening 5pm (link)

9/12 Free Improv for All! class for ages 12-19 Jet City Improv at BYT (link) recurring on Fridays 

9/13 Keep Bellevue Beautiful Signature Streets cleanup (link)

9/13 Emergency Preparedness Workshop, 9am-noon at City Hall (link)

9/13 Fall Fernfest Plant Sale at BBG 9:30-3pm (link)

9/13 Yoga & Music in the Park, Spring District 10-11am (link)

9/13 Bilingual Storytime in English and Chinese - also music and games at Ashwood Park 10:15-11:15 (link) also 9/20, 9/27

9/13 International Ballet Academy Open House 2-5pm (link)

9/13 Welcoming Week Hospitality event, 3-6pm (link)

9/14 Become a Pollinator Protector at BBG 9:30-3pm (link)

9/14 Joyy Festival Turkish and Eurasian food and art at Vasa Park, 11-5pm (link)

9/14 Family Fun Swim at BAC, 12-2pm (link)

9/14 Community Park Day at Ashwood Park, 1-5pm (link)

9/14 Free Plyometrics class at Crossroads Park 4:30-5:30pm (link) also 9/21 and 9/28

9/15 The Bellevue We Hope For Cultural Conversations event at BBG (link)

9/17 Made in Bellevue: Pressed Wildflower and Leaf Art, 11-1pm (link)

9/17 Youth Fitness Fair (link) 

9/18 Audubon Bird Walk at BBG 9-10:30am (link)

9/18 Jazzercise, Yoga, and Tai Chi at NWAC (link) 

9/18 Old Bellevue Fall Wine Walk (link)

9/18-9/19 Swan Lake at Meydenbauer (link)

9/19 Intro to Hula at NBCC, 1-2pm (link)

9/20 Free Tennis Clinics at Robinswood (link)

9/26 Trend Takeover Runway Show (link)

9/26 Open Mic night at Third Culture Coffee, 7-9pm (link)

9/27 The Collective Runway Show (link)

Recently posted on NewBellevue.com: 

From the IOC to HOMA (link) - why you should pay attend the meeting(s) about HOMA this week, using the recent Pinnacle North notice of decision as an example 

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