How Do I... Apply

Check Status

Find

Pay

Report

Request

See

About Bellevue City Profile

Economic
Development

Environmental
Stewardship

Planning Initiatives

City Hall Emergency

City Government

Text Size

Small

Medium

Large

Available Languages

Español

Bel-Red Area Transformation

Introduction
	Background
	Goals and Principles

Frequently Asked Questions

Reports

Preferred Alternative Map

Steering Committee Final Report

Final Environmental Impact Statement

Draft Environmental Impact Statement

Public Involvement
	In the News
	Timeline
	Public Meetings
	City Council Meetings
	Planning Commission Meetings
	Steering Committee
	Arts Commission Meetings
	Environmental Services Commission
	Parks & Community Services Board
	Transportation Commission

The Bel-Red Corridor

The City Council adopted a new set of zoning and development regulations for the Bel-Red Subarea on May 18, 2009.

This code and zoning package includes a legislative rezone ordinance; a new section of the Land Use Code specific to Bel-Red (20.25D); amendments to general sections of the Land Use Code (BCC Title 20), the Sign Code (BCC 22.B10) and the Noise Control Code (BCC 9.18). The ordinances considered by the council are available via the Bel-Red City Council Meeting page. Adopted Bel-Red zoning and code ordinance.

A new Bel-Red Subarea Plan establishing a vision for new mixed use neighborhoods supported by light rail, new streets, parks and open space was adopted on February 17, 2009. Adopted Bel-Red Subarea Plan Ordinance.

Bel-Red Framework Map
Bel-Red project brochure

Past Review Drafts

Draft Wright Runstad development agreement (5/11/09)

Draft Bel-Red Land Use Code Amendments and design guidelines (5/11/09)

Draft Bel-Red Zoning map (3/2/09)

Draft Land Use Code general sections amendments (5/11/09)

Draft Sign Code amendments (5/11/09)

Draft Noise Code amendments (5/11/09)

Planning Commission Recommendation
On July 23, 2008, the Bellevue Planning Commission recommended approval of the draft Bel-Red Subarea Plan, Zoning, Land Use Code and related amendments. The Planning Commission recommendation was presented to the City Council on Sept. 22, 2008.

Draft Subarea Plan and Related Comprehensive Plan Amendments (7/23/08)

Draft Land Use Designations Map (7/23/08)

Draft Zoning Map (7/23/08)

Draft Bel-Red Land Use Code - Part 20.25D (7/23/08)

Draft Bel-Red Design Guidelines (7/23/08)

Draft General Land Use Code Amendments (7/23/08)

Bel-Red Land Use Incentive System Review
The recommended Bel-Red Subarea Plan and Land Use Code support an incentive system where developments would provide or pay towards parks, open space, affordable housing, and other public amenities in exchange for increased heights and densities. After developing an initial draft incentive system, the City has asked the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Seattle District to conduct an independent review of the incentive system and specifically the incentive ratios and densities needed for the incentive system to work. The draft incentive system is included in the draft Bel-Red Land Use Code - Part 20.25D listed above.

The City Council began their review of the incentive system on October 6.

Urban Land Institute Seattle District Report (Sept. 2008)

Property Counselors' Response to ULI Report (Sept. 2008)

Property Counselors' Economic Evaluation for Bel-Red Incentive System (May 2008)

King County TDR Proposal

Property Counselors' Evaluation of Regional TRD (Sept. 2008)

Bel-Red Capital Project Funding Strategy
The Bel-Red Subarea Plan identifies transportation, parks, open spaces, and stream enhancement projects that could cost on the order of $400 to $500 million. Opportunities for funding this investment and draft financing principles were discussed with the City Council on December 7, 2007, and April 14, 2008. Initial estimates of public infrastructure costs and potential revenues for funding were developed for the City Council retreat on June 10, 2008. A Bel-Red funding strategy will be developed as an integrated component of the City long range capital planning.

Bel-Red Capital Projects Funding Strategy - Approaches Under Consideration (8/19/08)

April 14, 2008, Council study session item and draft finance plan principles

October 13,2008, City Council review and discussion of long range capital planning, including Bel-Red.

Bellevue-Redmond Interlocal Agreement (BROTS)
The Bellevue Redmond Overlake Transportation Study interlocal agreement helps to manage the traffic impacts shared by both cities as a result of new commercial development occuring in the Bel-Red and Overlake areas. In parallel with the Bel-Red project and Subarea Plan, the BROTS agreement is in the process of being updated.

Bel-Red Background
The Bel-Red Corridor is a 900-acre area that stretches between State Route 520 and Bel-Red Road, extending from Interstate 405 to 148th Avenue Northeast. Bel-Red is a major employment area for Bellevue, but some large employers have moved out or reduced operations, in part due to changing market pressures in the area.

Change has been dynamic in the areas surrounding Bel-Red (Downtown Bellevue and Overlake), and the area had not been considered in a comprehensive manner in several years. At the same time, Sound Transit is proposing to build a light rail line through the Bel-Red Corridor into Redmond. If light rail is built, with stations in Bel-Red, it would have the potential to support changes to the land-use patterns in the area by providing additional transportation capacity.

In 2006 and 2007 Bellevue staff, consultants and a project steering committee — with involvement from business and property owners and residents —developed a long-range plan for future land use and transportation in the corridor to determine the area's role in the city's overall growth and economic development. The objective was to work with the community to plan and manage change rather than to accommodate the inevitable change in a haphazard, piecemeal way.

In September 2007, the Bel-Red Steering Committee approved a final preferred alternative and presented it to the City Council. Implementation of the Bel-Red Final Report requires new Comprehensive Plan policies and land use code regulations. The Council asked five of the city's boards and commissions to craft new Comprehensive Plan policies and land use code regulations to implement the new plan.

On February 27, 2008, four boards and commissions presented their policy recommendations for Bel-Red to the Planning Commission. A staff report and draft Subarea Plan, zoning, and Land Use Code amendments were published May 8, 2008. On May 28, 2008, the Planning Commission conducted a public hearing and considered a wide range of numerous public comments on the draft. (Table of Public Comments and Preliminary Staff Responses, 6/3/08). Following deliberation over six meetings and detailed review of many issues, the Planning Commission made a recommendation to the City Council to approve the Bel-Red Subarea Plan, zoning, Land Use Code and related amendments, as revised.

Contact Information

Planning & Community Development
450 110th Ave. NE
P.O. Box 90012
Bellevue, WA 98009
Contact: Paul Inghram
Phone: 425-452-4070
E-mail: pinghram@bellevuewa.gov

Transportation Department
450 110th Ave. NE
P.O. Box 90012
Bellevue, WA 98009
Contact: Tresa Berg, Public Involvement Manager
Phone: 425-452-4638
E-mail: TBerg@bellevuewa.gov