Below are frequently questions asked about Phase 2 of implementing Action C-1 of the city's Affordable Housing Strategy to increase affordable housing capacity on faith-owned properties. Each FAQ includes brief answers and links to learn more.
Contact James Chow, Senior Planner in Community Development if you have additional questions or need more information about the Action C-1 Phase 2 Comprehensive Plan Amendment.
Contact Kristina Gallant, Senior Planner in Development Services if you are interested in learning how the Land Use Code Amendment proposal will be developed and reviewed.
Where can I find a map of properties potentially eligible for increased affordable housing capacity?
Here is a link to the map of 29 potential sites that meet the proposed eligibility criteria for increased affordable housing capacity under the Action C-1 Phase 2 policy amendment. Additional refinements to eligible properties may occur as the land use code amendment develops in early 2023.
What affordable housing can be developed on eligible sites today and what would be allowed in the future?
-
Today, all religious organizations owning or controlling property in single family districts can develop affordable housing on their property and receive a 50 percent density bonus. For example, a property zoned R-5, which allows five housing units per acre, could develop 7.5 affordable housing units per acre.
-
In addition, 50 percent of the affordable units may be developed as attached multifamily duplexes or triplexes provided, they are reviewed through a subdivision process (see LUC 20.20.128 for more information.)
-
To build more than 50 percent of the units in duplexes or triplexes or to develop a structure with more than three attached housing units, organizations would need to apply for a planned unit development permit per 20.30D LUC.
-
-
The Action C-1 Phase 2 Comprehensive Plan Amendment would allow eligible properties to be reclassified to a multifamily land use district. This would allow religious organizations to develop structures with more than three attached housing units, and it would increase the number of affordable units they could develop. Allowing multifamily development outright will reduce the cost of constructing affordable housing on these sites and thereby encourage more affordable housing units to be built. Today, the city has four multifamily land use districts: R-10, R-15, R-20 and R-30.
To which multifamily land use district would eligible properties be reclassified?
-
Development of the Land Use Code Amendment in early 2023 will determine which multifamily land use district each eligible property would be reclassified to. Considerations could include surrounding land uses, levels of nearby transportation infrastructure and services, and other objective characteristics.
How and when can the public provide input on which multifamily land use districts eligible properties get reclassified to?
-
Everyone is invited to submit comments to staff at any point for consideration. In early 2023, development of the Land Use Code Amendment will include more opportunities for the public to provide input and feedback on the proposal. Sign up on the project webpage to receive alerts when new engagement opportunities are scheduled.
Have any religious organizations expressed interest in developing affordable housing on these eligible sites?
-
Yes, about six religious organizations have reached out to the city and expressed interest in learning more about Action C-1 and what development might be possible today and/or in the future. Some of these organizations have expressed an interest in learning more, while others are closer in the process toward proposing an actual project. The city is contacting religious organizations that own or control eligible properties to learn about their level of interest.
Have religious organizations in Bellevue developed affordable housing on their properties in the past?
-
Yes, at least three religious organizations have developed affordable housing on their properties over the past 25 years. They include the following:
-
St. Luke’s Lutheran Church (2018 – 62 rental units in one multifamily housing structure),
-
Saint Margaret’s Episcopal Church (2011 – 41 rental units in one multifamily housing structure), and
-
The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection (1997 – 12 rental units in six duplexes).
-
How will impacts to transportation, the environment, schools and other infrastructure be addressed?
-
Any religious organization that decides to develop affordable housing must adhere to Bellevue’s laws. Land use and building development codes are listed below and on the city’s Development Services Codes and Guidelines webpage.
-
Building Codes and Guidelines: International Building Code, International Residential Code and City of Bellevue amendments to these codes
-
Clearing and Grading Codes and Guidelines: Regulation of earth movement, land clearing, erosion protection
-
Fire Codes and Guidelines: Regulations for infrastructure and building improvements for fire protection
-
Land Use Codes and Guidelines: Rules that regulate use of land, building placement, design and environmental protection including regulations for critical areas.
-
Transportation Codes and Guidelines: Regulations of public and private road construction and design
-
Utilities Codes and Standards: Regulations and requirements for public and private utility construction and design.
-
-
Development permit applications go through transportation permit review to manage impacts to streets and rights of way during and after construction. Development review is responsible for reviewing the traffic impacts of a proposed development including those:
-
In the immediate vicinity: Traffic volumes and turning movements at the access point and their effect on street operations.
-
In the greater street system: City codes and state environmental law apply. Applicants are required to perform a traffic impact analysis, or TIA, which is a study of the potential transportation impacts of a development on the surrounding transportation system. The purpose of the study is to document the impacts and recommend on-site and off-site mitigation for those impacts.
-
-
Development permit applications go through environmental review to manage impacts to the environment. Bellevue City Code and state and federal laws establish environmental regulations and procedures that affect development and use of property. These regulations are meant to ensure impacts to the environment are avoided, minimized, documented and/or mitigated. Environmental review in Bellevue is usually done as part of an associated land use application. Projects are evaluated through submittal of an environmental checklist, an overview of which is provided on the city’s environmental overview webpage.
-
Impacts to schools are assessed during the environmental review process. In the environmental checklist, applicants are required to answer whether a project would result in an increased need for public services including in fire protection, police protection, public transit, health care, schools, or other services. The city regularly supports school district analyses of projected facility needs and keeps districts informed of major updates to the city’s Comprehensive Plan.
What other affordable housing initiatives is the city undertaking to alleviate the high cost of housing for existing residents?
-
Strategy A of the city’s Affordable Housing Strategy – to Help People Stay in Affordable Housing includes six actions to preserve affordable housing stock and support programs that stabilize housing expenses for residents. The six actions are listed below:
-
A-1. Partner with non-profit organizations and housing agencies to fund the purchase of existing, affordable multi-family housing to preserve it for the long term.
-
Learn more about the city’s Housing Stability Program here: Housing Stability Program | City of Bellevue (bellevuewa.gov)
-
-
A-2. Advocate for state legislation to extend property tax exemptions to existing multi-family properties that agree to set aside some apartments as affordable.
-
Learn more about the city’s MFTE program here: Constructing Affordable Housing | City of Bellevue (bellevuewa.gov)
-
-
A-3. Promote programs that provide social and physical support to help seniors and disabled people remain in their homes.
-
Learn more about the city’s Human Services Program Goals here: Program Goals | City of Bellevue (bellevuewa.gov)
-
Learn more about the city’s Rental and Mortgage Assistance program here: Rental and Mortgage Assistance | City of Bellevue (bellevuewa.gov)
-
-
A-4. Increase funding and expand eligibility for the city’s home repair and weatherization programs.
-
Learn more about the city’s Home Repair Assistance program here: Home Repair Assistance | City of Bellevue (bellevuewa.gov)
-
-
A-5. Promote energy efficiency in design and construction of affordable units to reduce costs for residents.
-
Learn more about the city’s Clean Buildings incentive program here: Buildings & Energy | City of Bellevue (bellevuewa.gov)
-
-
A-6. Promote existing utility rate relief, utility tax relief, and property tax relief programs for income-eligible residents.
-
-
You can learn more about all the city’s Affordable Housing work on the city’s website here: Housing Affordability | City of Bellevue (bellevuewa.gov)