The Housing Opportunities in Mixed-Use Areas (HOMA) land use code amendment is designed to encourage housing development. It proposes higher density, taller buildings and removing obstacles to building more homes. The proposal will create an affordable housing program—either mandatory or voluntary—in various mixed-use areas of the city. The proposal also updates land use districts and the city’s land use map.
Background
The Housing Opportunities in Mixed-Use Areas (HOMA) Land Use Code Amendment focuses on encouraging housing development by making changes to the city’s Land Use Code. Building on the recently adopted Comprehensive Plan, HOMA aims to remove obstacles to building homes and create an affordable housing program in the mixed-use areas of the city (places where housing and business can be built together). The proposal does not include Wilburton, BelRed and East Main.
The updates will address issues identified by stakeholders, including residential floor area ratio (FAR), building heights, setbacks, lot coverage, parking, transition areas, multifamily play areas, and recycling and solid waste requirements. The proposal will include either mandatory or optional affordable housing rules to increase affordable housing throughout the city. HOMA will also look to rezone parcels in certain mixed-use areas, consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map.
Opportunities to Engage
There will be two virtual and four in-person information sessions about this initiative. The first virtual meeting is 12 p.m. on Dec. 16.
More sessions are planned for January. The locations and times will be announced as the meetings are scheduled.
These information sessions will give the community an opportunity to learn about HOMA and provide input to staff. Questions or comments can be directed to Mathieu Menard at mmenard@bellevuewa.gov.
Related Projects
| Date | Meeting, Event or Action Taken | Links |
|---|---|---|
| 12/12/2022 | City Council Study Session | City Council Initiation |
| 12/10/2024 | City Council Check-in | City Council Agenda Materials |
| 12/16/2024 | Virtual Information Session | Event details |
| Jan. 2025 | Virtual Information Session | |
| Jan. 2025 | In-person Information Session 1 | |
| Jan. 2025 | In-person Information Session 2 | |
| Jan. 2025 | In-person Information Session 3 | |
| Jan. 2025 | In-person Information Session 4 |