In a recent City Council meeting, Bellevue officials were briefed on the proposed amendments to the land use code, a consequential move spurred by changes in state law requiring cities to up the ante on housing variety and density. The amendments hashed out by the Planning Commission aim to meet state directives, issued via House Bills 1110 and 1337 back in 2023, by facilitating the development of middle housing citywide. Bellevue now faces the task of allowing a minimum number of units per lot, at least six middle housing types, two accessory dwelling units (ADUs) per lot, and separate ownership for these dwellings, as chronicled in a report from Bellevue's official news update.
Further sharpening focus on the city's growth, Council discussions will continue, delving deeper into how these zoning changes will play out. Fortunately, for those who missed it or wish to revisit the minutiae, the full presentation, including Council's deliberations, is accessible via Bellevue Television's video replay with all the nuts and bolts laid out in the meeting materials.
Moving along, the expansion of Meydenbauer Bay Park also took a slice of the spotlight, with the City Council directing staff to return armed with expanded details on the "Meydenbauer Gateway and Promenade expansion." This project bonds Meydenbauer Bay Park with downtown Bellevue and is designed as a pedestrian-focused development. The proposed gateway, featuring a plaza at Main Street and an accessible walkway to the beach, intends to enhance foot traffic safety and connectivity. As per the briefing, once the council greenlights the next phase of design work, the project will advance into the realms of engineering and permitting. Thousands of community voices have imprinted upon the current concepts for Phase 2, conceived through rigorous consultation over two years, reaffirming the Council's commitment to civic engagement, according to materials from the official meeting documentation.
In matters about federal affairs, the Bellevue City Council was briefed on the recently wrapped state legislative session. With the swift slash of unanimity, council members approved the city’s latest federal legislative agenda. Fixated on nudging key city priorities to Bellevue's federal representation, the agenda is rooted in transportation, infrastructure, housing, and safety net programs. Council members are booked for a June flight to D.C. to pitch Bellevue's to-do list to the nation's movers and shakers.
