To reduce Bellevue’s affordable housing gap, this initiative created additional development capacity for affordable housing on properties owned or controlled by religious organizations in certain single-family districts well-suited to multifamily housing and consistent with the city’s Affordable Housing Strategy Action C-1.
On June 26, 2023, the council adopted Ordinance 6743 amending Land Use Code (LUC) chapter 20.20.128 Affordable Housing to establish eligibility criteria, rezone procedures, and criteria for determining the additional capacity available to eligible properties. The council also adopted Ordinance 6744 rezoning 36 eligible sites (see map) consistent with the criteria established with the LUCA. If additional properties become eligible in the future, their owners will need to apply for a rezone. For more information related to the LUCA process, please refer to the LUCA project website.
A site may be eligible for this program if it meets the following criteria:
- Owned by a religious organization,
- Located in a single-family land use district,
- Located on an arterial street,
- Located within half a mile of a frequent transit stop, and
- Located within 500 feet of a land use district where multifamily housing or commercial uses are permitted.
See our Action C-1 Phase 2 FAQs webpage to find answers to frequently asked questions.
See the Development Services Page for additional information: Increased Affordable Housing Capacity on Faith-Owned Properties LUCA
Timeline
| Date | Event or Action Taken | Materials | |
| 12/6/21 | City Council Action on Phase One Density Bonus LUCA | City Council Meeting Agenda Materials | |
| 5/9/22 | City Council Initiation of Phase Two CPA and LUCA | City Council Meeting Agenda Materials | |
| 6/16/2022 | Notice of Application | Weekly Permit Bulletin | |
| 6/22/2022 | Planning Commission Study Session 1 (CPA) | Planning Commission Meeting Agenda Materials | |
| 6/29/2022 | Virtual Information Session 6:30 p.m. | Presentation | |
| 7/27/2022 | Planning Commission Study Session 2 (CPA) | Planning Commission Meeting Agenda Materials | |
| 8/25/2022 | Notice of Recommendation, Public Hearing and SEPA Threshold Determination | Weekly Permit Bulletin | |
| 9/14/2022 | Planning Commission Final Review Public Hearing (CPA) and Recommendation | Planning Commission Meeting Agenda Materials | |
| 11/14/2022 | City Council Study Session (CPA) | City Council Meeting Materials | |
| 12/12/2022 | City Council Action (CPA) | City Council Meeting Materials | |
| 1/2023 to 6/2023 | Land Use Code Amendment Process | LUCA Project Webpage and Materials |