Council Priorities are the guiding goals that define what Bellevue seeks to accomplish. Click any priority below to navigate to its initiatives:
- Council Priority 1: Customer Service, Access and Transparency
- Council Priority 2: Brand Identity
- Council Priority 3: Arts Funding
- Council Priority 4: Affordable Housing Strategy
- Council Priority 5: City-Owned Property
- Council Priority 6: Pre-Approved Plans
- Council Priority 7: Old Bellevue Preservation
- Council Priority 8: Eastrail
- Council Priority 9: Diversity Advantage Plan Update
- Council Priority 10: Community Engagement
- Council Priority 11: Human Services
- Council Priority 12: Homelessness Prevention and Support Programming
Council Priority 1: Customer Service, Access and Transparency
Identify and implement enterprise approaches to service management, community engagement and data analytics to improve customer service, access and transparency.
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Initiatives
- Enhancing Permitting Process
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The Development Services and Information Technology departments have launched a public-private design partnership with Govstream.ai, a government-focused AI startup, to pilot cutting-edge permitting tools that amplify the capacity of our staff and make the permitting process faster and more responsive for applicants.
- Advancing Procurement Transformation
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The city is advancing a procurement transformation as part of its broader Business Transformation Program to modernize systems and processes. This initiative will streamline procurement workflows, clarify roles and responsibilities, and integrate technology to improve efficiency and transparency for staff and vendors. These changes are designed to deliver a more consistent, customer-focused experience and align with the city’s enterprise modernization goals.
- Data Governance Implementation
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The city is actively working on a comprehensive Data Governance framework to ensure consistent, secure, and high-quality data management across all departments. This work includes finalizing a citywide policy, establishing governance roles and structures, and implementing tools for data cataloging and master data management. These efforts will strengthen transparency, improve decision-making, and support the city’s long-term digital transformation goals.
- Customer/Service Management
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As part of the City’s broader Business Transformation Program to modernize systems and processes, we are implementing a new platform designed to simplify how community members access and request City services. This platform will initially replace the existing MyBellevue and Engaging Bellevue applications, with plans to expand and integrate additional services over time.
Council Priority 2: Brand Identity
Develop and establish an updated brand identity for the City of Bellevue that reflects both our past and our future; an identity that is iconic and leaves a lasting impression that Bellevue delivers high quality services and is a place that people want to live, work, learn and play.
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Initiatives
- Website Enhancement
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Website enhancements to improve brand alignment, support brand identity and improve intuitive access to information.
- Communication Materials Enhancement
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Enhance visual elements of communication materials to reflect the beauty and diversity of the city.
- Standardized Brand Toolkit
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Use of standardized brand toolkit elements by communications and community engagement teams.
- Language and Information Access
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Continued enhancement of language and information access through use of plain language, assessment of additional communication channels, translations, etc.
Council Priority 3: Arts Funding
Explore options to expand arts funding through mechanisms such as the annual grant process, direct investment in the BelRed Arts District or others.
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Initiatives
- Grant Round
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Open the second round of Arts and Culture Facility Grants.
- Funding
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Expand Art Grant amounts for the 2027 funding cycle.
- District
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Advance work with the BelRed Arts District Alliance to secure Creative District designation from the State.
Council Priority 4: Affordable Housing Strategy
Update the Affordable Housing strategy and targets with a focus on implementing highpriority actions.
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Initiatives
- Strategy
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Update the Affordable Housing Strategy for 2026-2032.
- Action
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Implement high-priority actions.
- Accountability
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Track and monitor outcome and implementation metrics.
Council Priority 5: City-Owned Property
Identify and implement strategies to facilitate use of city-owned property for affordable housing development.
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Initiatives
- Contracts
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Finalize contract negotiations with selected developers.
- Funding
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Move forward with city funding awards for the Kelly TOD and Wilburton TOD sites.
- Policy
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Formalize legislation to support awarding city-owned property at below market-rate for affordable housing.
Council Priority 6: Pre-Approved Plans
Simplify the permitting process for Accessory Dwelling Units by offering pre-approved plans for Detached Accessory Dwelling Units.
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Initiatives
- June 24, 2025
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Council adopted middle housing code changes. The adoption of these middle housing code changes provides the regulatory framework necessary to advance a pre-approved plans program focused on cottage housing and detached accessory dwelling units (DADUs).
The Pre-Approved Cottage Housing and Detached Accessory Dwelling Units (DADU) Plans Program is envisioned as a three-phase initiative designed to streamline development, reduce permitting uncertainty, and support the successful implementation of two newly allowed housing types. The phased structure is intentionally designed to build community and stakeholder excitement, understanding, and interest in this Council priority over time.
- Phase 1
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This phase will build awareness and enthusiasm for the Pre-Approved Plans Program through a dedicated project webpage and targeted outreach that clearly communicates the program’s purpose, scope, and benefits. Key activities include a hackathon-style event with Govstream.ai and subject matter experts to identify tools and strategies for program success, as well as community engagement to establish evaluation criteria to prioritize which plans are advanced for “pre-approval”.
- Phase 2
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This phase will begin with a formal call for designs issued to the design and development community. Submissions will be evaluated by a volunteer review panel, which will review entries against the community criteria established in Phase 1. Top-ranked designs will advance to the Development Services pre-review to evaluate technical code compliance.
- Phase 3
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This phase will include the Department’s “pre-approval” of up to 10 selected designs and preparation for public release.
- March 2026
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Website launching in early March, ahead of Council engagement on March 10.
Contact
Nick Whipple, Code and Policy Director, nwhipple@bellevuewa.gov
Council Priority 7: Old Bellevue Preservation
Develop policy tools to preserve the architectural character of Old Bellevue and support the retention of existing businesses as redevelopment occurs.
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Initiatives
- February 10, 2026
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Council reviewed the 2026–27 Land Use Planning Initiatives (LUPI) workplan, which retains this priority. Downtown Livability Amendments 2.0 LUCA is identified as the primary mechanism to advance the Council priority once the HOMA LUCA is completed and staff resources are available.
- February 10, 2026
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Council adopted a temporary Interim Official Control (IOC) in Old Bellevue to ensure new development is compatible with established character in the Downtown–Old Bellevue district and along Main Street between 100th Avenue and Bellevue Way.
- Ongoing
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Continued the related small business retention effort by planning and Economic Development staff engagement with Old Bellevue businesses to address displacement and affordability concerns as part of Economic Development Plan implementation.
- Ongoing
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Continued preparation for Downtown Livability 2.0 by assembling the project team and developing the project scope and outreach plan. Outreach will include targeted engagement with Old Bellevue residents, merchants, and other stakeholders to identify community priorities and inform land use code amendments addressing building design that reflects this Downtown neighborhood’s history and context. Formal initiation of Downtown Livability 2.0 is anticipated in April 2026.
- April 2026
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Website will be launching in April, ahead of Council engagement on Downtown Livability 2.0 project initiation.
Contact
Nick Whipple, Code and Policy Director, nwhipple@bellevuewa.gov
Council Priority 8: Eastrail
Work with King County and partner agencies to develop the Eastrail from Renton to Snohomish, including key projects and local connections in Bellevue.
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Initiatives
- About the Eastrail
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The Eastrail is a former rail corridor that is being developed as an uninterrupted, 42-mile multi-use trail extending from Renton to the City of Snohomish. There are about 7.5 miles of Eastrail within Bellevue and about 4.2 miles are currently open to the public for walking, biking, and rolling. Additional trail is anticipated to open in 2027 from NE 4th St to 118th Ave SE, leaving a two-mile gap around the I-90 crossing. King County is the lead agency for development of the section that runs through Bellevue.
- Bellevue’s role in development of the Eastrail includes:
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- Coordinating closely with King County on design and implementation of the primary trail.
- Completing key trail crossings and connecting links.
- Participating as a member of the Eastrail Regional Advisory Council, which is forum for planning and coordinating development and operation of the Eastrail among the corridor owners and jurisdictions.
Resources
Contact
Mike Ingram, AICP, Senior Planner, mingram@bellevuewa.gov
Ryan Walker, Senior Planner, rwalker@bellevuewa.gov
Council Priority 9: Diversity Advantage Plan Update
Update the Diversity Advantage Plan and implement the near-term actions.
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Initiatives
- Short-Term Equity Plans
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By the end of 2026, the city will develop Short-term Equity Plans for every department to identify specific, near-term actions to be completed in alignment with the new Diversity Advantage Plan 2035.
- Key Equity Indicators
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By the end of 2026, the city will create a set of Key Equity Indicators to help evaluate the city’s progress towards the 41 Equity Objectives included in DAP 2035.
- Public Progress Dashboard
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By the end of 2026, the city will launch a public online dashboard sharing progress towards DAP 2035 and the Key Equity Indicators.
Council Priority 10: Community Engagement
Enhance community engagement efforts to increase equitable public participation in city decision-making and improve the reach and effectiveness of the city's engagement strategies.
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Initiatives
- Community Engagement Toolkit
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Staff are continuing work to develop a Community Engagement Toolkit, develop a framework for engaging with community-based organizations and improve the city website for active projects seeking community input.
Council Priority 11: Human Services
In alignment with the Human Services Strategic Plan, support human services programs to meet community needs and increase equitable access and outcomes.
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Initiatives
- 2025
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The Human Services department performed:
- On-site monitoring visits of 130 programs at 78 different agencies.
- $9,213,892.75 invested.
- 54,170 people served.
- 2027-2028
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27-28 funding process is underway; joint RFP with other cities will be published on 3/2. Given the level of community need, staff anticipate a record number of applications and funding requests.
- Ongoing
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The Human Services Division continues to support low-income and moderate-income homeowners through the Home Repair Program. 17 households served in 2025, despite a temporary program pause due to federal funding disruptions. Home repair projects include repairs essential to the safety and stability of residents, such as replacing broken water heaters and leaky roofs.
Council Priority 12: Homelessness Prevention and Support Programming
Support programs related to homelessness prevention and programs that help quickly house individuals experiencing homelessness.
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Initiatives
- Safe Parking Pilot Program
- Homelessness Outreach Dashboard