The city is updating its land use code to create a new institutional land use district that will apply to Bellevue College and allow the institution to expand campus infrastructure. This land use code amendment and rezone will align with the Bellevue College Campus Master Plan, the 2044 Bellevue Comprehensive Plan and the Future Land Use Map.
Background
Bellevue Community College was established and first opened in 1966, initially operating from Newport High School and serving approximately 500 students in the first year. In 1969, the college relocated and opened its new permanent campus, growing to serve approximately 2,200 students. In 2009, the college transitioned from a 2-year institution to a 4-year institution when they started to offer applied bachelor’s degrees in 2009 and was officially established as Bellevue College. Since then, Bellevue College has continued to grow and expand, serving approximately 20,000 students annually. Today, Bellevue College offers a broad range of academic, professional-technical, workforce and continuing education programs. The institution continues to serve as a major regional center for higher education, workforce development, sustainability, culture and community engagement.
Historically, Bellevue College operated primarily as a commuter institution. Over time, however, the campus has evolved to support a broader student experience that includes housing, athletics, recreation, dining, cultural programming and community engagement. Bellevue College is currently zoned SR-4 for suburban residential development, which limits the college’s ability to expand academic facilities, student housing and other campus infrastructure. The 2044 Bellevue Comprehensive Plan identified the need for an institutional designation, established supporting policies and the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) designated Bellevue College’s future land use as “Institutional.”
Bellevue College LUCA
The City of Bellevue is updating the land use code (LUC) to introduce and establish a new “Institutional” land use district and legislative rezone for Bellevue College to address development within Bellevue College and align with Comprehensive Plan policies and the FLUM. The new institutional land use district will increase the college’s ability to expand and accommodate their needs and projected growth. The LUCA will include new sections that outline permitted uses, dimensional requirements, landscape requirements, design standards, transition requirements and other development standards intended to support campus development while addressing compatibility with surrounding areas.
The Comprehensive Plan FLUM designation for institutional uses in the Bellevue College area extends beyond properties currently owned by Bellevue College and includes several privately owned residential properties located near the campus. The proposed legislative rezone, however, would apply only to parcels currently owned by Bellevue College. Privately owned residential properties within the broader institutional FLUM designation would not be rezoned as part of this proposal and would remain within the existing SR-4 Land Use District. As a result, owners of those residential properties would continue to be subject to the existing SR-4 development standards and would retain the ability to remodel, expand, or redevelop their homes under the current residential zoning regulations without being subject to the development regulations proposed under this LUCA.
Opportunities to Engage
The city will partner with Bellevue College to engage nearby and interested residents, property owners and business owners in the project. Bellevue College is currently updating their Campus Master Plan, which guides the college’s next 5-10 years of future growth in a way that reinforces the college’s values, visions and goals. The Bellevue College Campus Master Plan also aims to accommodate changing needs of education and establish a strong relationship with the community. The Bellevue College LUCA provides a unique opportunity to partner with the college to better support the growth and development of the college while thoughtfully addressing the needs and priorities of the surrounding community.
Stay tuned, additional opportunities to engage will be posted here when they become available.
Project Timeline and Schedule
July 9, 2026 City Council Study Session (Project initiation)