In anticipation of East Link Light Rail, the City Council in 2009 adopted a new subarea plan and land use code for the BelRed area. The plan outlined a transformation of the former industrial area into a series of vibrant, urban villages with abundant new green space, businesses and homes. Now, more than a decade later, with East Link largely done and Spring District construction well underway, the city is reviewing the plan and land use code to determine if they are achieving the vision for the BelRed area.
In October 2024, Council adopted the BelRed Look Forward Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPA) through Ordinance No. 6810. The BelRed Subarea Plan was updated to:
- Reflect new information and changed circumstances
- Strengthen implementation strategies
- Increase capacity to meet new citywide housing and job targets
- Provide clear guidance to facilitate implementation, including a Land Use Code Amendment, capital investments, partnerships and development review
In February 2025, Council approved moving forward with the BelRed Look Forward Land Use Code Amendment (LUCA) to implement recently adopted amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and Subarea Plan for BelRed.
The code amendments will align development regulations with updated policies, including increased housing and job growth, transit-oriented development and expanded medically related uses. The updates will also refine strategies for affordable housing, street network improvements, daylighting streams and the BelRed Arts District.
Past and Upcoming Presentations
| Date | Meeting, Event, or Action Taken | Links |
|---|---|---|
| May 14, 2025 | Planning Commission BelRed LUCA Introduction | Meeting Materials |
| February 25, 2025 | City Council Initiation of the BelRed Look Forward Land Use Code Amendment (LUCA) | Meeting Materials |
| October 22, 2024 | City Council Ordinance adopting the BelRed Look Forward Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPA) (24-101918-AC) to the Comprehensive Plan of the City of Bellevue pursuant to the Growth Management Act, Chapter 36.70A RCW, and Chapter 35A.63 RCW; providing for severability; and establishing an effective date. | Calendar |
| September 10, 2024 | City Council Review of the recommended BelRed Look Foward Comprehensive Plan Amendment including amendments to the BelRed Subarea Plan policies and the Future Land Use Map. The City Council directed staff to return with an ordinance approving the BelRed Look Forward CPA as recommended by the Planning Commission with one modification. | Meeting Materials |
| June 20, 2024 | Public Hearing Public Hearing on the Draft BelRed Look Foward Comprehensive Plan Amendment including amendments to the BelRed Subarea Plan policies and the Future Land Use Map. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend the proposed comprehensive plan amendment to the City Council for adoption after holding a public hearing and receiving public comment. | |
| May 22, 2024 | Planning Commission Review full draft of the Subarea Plan with a focus on policies. | Meeting Materials |
| May 8, 2024 | Planning Commission Review full draft of the Subarea Plan along with the Future Land Use Map. | Meeting Materials |
| April 24, 2024 | Planning Commission Review recommended updates to the Vision and policies in the General, Housing, and Urban Design sections of the plan. | Meeting Materials |
| April 10, 2024 | Planning Commission Reviewed recommended updates to policies in the Environment, Parks and Open Space, Transportation, and Implementation sections of the plan. | Meeting Materials |
| March 14, 2024 | Transportation Commission Reviewed and recommended updates to Transportation policies to the Planning Commission. | Meeting Materials |
| March 12, 2024 | Parks and Community Services Board Reviewed and recommended updates to Parks and Open Space policies to the Planning Commission. | Meeting Materials |
| March 7, 2024 | Environmental Services Commission Recommended updates to Environmental policies to the Planning Commission. | Meeting Materials |
| March 6, 2024 | Arts Commission Reviewed and recommended updates to Arts, Culture and Creativity policies to the Planning Commission. | Meeting Materials |
| February 28, 2024 | Planning Commission Reviewed proposed updates to Land Use policies and future land use designations. | Meeting Materials |
| February 14, 2024 | Planning Commission Reviewed updates to citywide land use designations. | Meeting Materials |
| February 13, 2024 | Parks and Community Services Board Reviewed proposed updates to Parks and Open Space policies. | Meeting Materials |
| February 1, 2024 | Environmental Services Commission Reviewed proposed updates to Environmental policies. | Meeting Materials |
| February 1, 2024 | Final Environmental Impact Statement Published | Environmental Review Web Page |
| January 20, 2024 | Policy Open House Come to Jing Mei Elementary from 10 am - 1 pm to review policy moves, talk with a planner and provide input. | Register |
| December 13, 2023 | Planning Commission Reviewed policy moves related to Cultural and Community Connections and Land Use and Urban Form. | Meeting Materials |
| September 27, 2023 | Planning Commission Reviewed policy moves related to Open Space and Natural Systems. | Meeting Materials |
| February 22, 2023 | Planning Commission Reviewed project scope of work. | Meeting Materials |
| May 22, 2018 | Open House BelRed Major Projects | |
| January 22, 2018 | City Council Study Session Initial Briefing and Q&A | Meeting Materials |
Project Status and Timeline
This project occurred as part of the periodic update to the City's Comprehensive Plan.
| Project Phase | Approximate Date |
| Policy | Completed in 2024 |
| Land Use Code | February to December 2025 |
| Monitoring & Control | Ongoing after adoption |
Project & Background Documents
See links below for past materials on the recommended Comprehensive Plan Amendment:
- Staff Recommendation
- Recommended Policy Amendments
- Draft BelRed Subarea Plan
- Draft Comprehensive Plan Glossary
- Draft BelRed Future Land Use Map
- SEPA Determination of Non-Significance
- Public Comments received as of June 7, 2024
Other documents:
- Notice of Recommendation and Public Hearing
- Policy Move Questionnaire Responses
- Notice of Non-Project Action including SEPA Checklist
- Focus Group Guide
- BelRed subarea plan
- BelRed zoning and code ordinance
- BelRed subarea map
- BelRed project brochure
- BelRed Corridor Project Steering Committee Recommendations
- BelRed Park, Trail and Open Space System plan
- BelRed Transformation Story
Related Projects
Subarea Planning
Station Area Planning
Transportation Planning and Projects
East Link Light Rail
- East Link (Sound Transit)
- Wilburton Station (Sound Transit)
- Spring District/120th Station (Sound Transit)
- BelRed/130th Station (Sound Transit)
RapidRide
Street Improvements
- Access Bellevue
- NE Spring Blvd
- 120th Avenue NE Corridor
- 124th Avenue NE Corridor
- 130th Avenue NE Corridor
Development Projects
- Major Projects List – BelRed
- Building Bellevue
- Spring District (Wright-Runstad)
- Facebook (Seattle Times)
- Sound Transit’s Operations Maintenance Facility East (Sound Transit)
Unique Institutions
- Global Innovation Exchange GIX (UW-Tsinghua University)
- Francia Russell Center (Pacific Northwest Ballet)