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City of Bellevue, WA Community Development
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  6. Comprehensive Plan

Comprehensive Plan

Aerial Bellevue from the south

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    Plans and Initiatives

    • BelRed Look Back
    • BelRed Streetscape
    • Comprehensive Plan
      • Bellevue 2044 Environmental Review
      • Comprehensive Plan Amendments
      • Countywide Planning Policies Ratifications
    • East Main Transit Oriented District
    • Electrical Facilities Planning
    • Great Neighborhoods
    • Plan Archive
      • Downtown Livability
      • Eastgate Study
      • Grand Connection Land Use Code
    • Wilburton Vision
    Header Image
    Aerial Bellevue from the south

    Bellevue’s Comprehensive Plan is a foundational policy document, guiding growth and development here for a 20-year span. The City Council adopted the current plan in 2015 (agenda memo). The maps, goals and policies of the plan provide the basis for Bellevue's regulations, programs and services. Comprehensive Plan Story Map

    The city significantly updates the Comprehensive Plan about every 10 years, and we are in the process of drafting the 2024 update. Bellevue 2044, as it's called, will guide Bellevue's development through 2044. Substantial updates like this are called "periodic" updates, to distinguish them from minor annual amendments related to specific properties.

    Details and avenues for participating are available at Engaging Bellevue. Bellevue 2044 is undergoing environmental review through an environmental impact statement. 

    The current Comprehensive Plan is organized into two volumes. Volume 1 has background information about Bellevue and the community vision for the future, along with goals for elements such as housing, transportation, human services and parks. Volume 2 contains goals and policies of the subarea (or neighborhood area) plans.

    2024 Update Timeline

    The City Council initiated work on the Comprehensive Plan update on Feb. 28, 2022. This update is planned for adoption by June of 2024. Participate in the update at Engaging Bellevue. Questions and comments can be sent to CompPlan2044@bellevuewa.gov. A summary of public comments received so far will be posted when compiled.

     

    Timeline

    Date Event Links
    November 8, 2023 (planned) Planning Commission Planning Commission Calendar
      Discuss update to Introduction & Vision chapter  
    October 25, 2023 (planned) Planning Commission Planning Commission Calendar
      Review updates to key policy areas in Housing and Human Services elements  
    October 11, 2023 (planned) Planning Commission Planning Commission Calendar
      Review updates to key policy areas in Land Use and Neighborhood elements  
    September 27, 2023 (planned) Planning Commission Planning Commission Calendar
      Review updates to key policy areas in Economic Development, Engagement, Transportation, and Urban Design & the Arts elements  
    September 13, 2023 Planning Commission Planning Commission Calendar
      Review updates to key policy areas in Capital Facilities, Environment, Parks, Recreation & Open Space, and Utilities elements  
    July 24, 2023 City Council Meeting Materials
      Directed the study of a Preferred Alternative in FEIS  
    July 17, 2023 City Council Meeting Materials
      Reviewed Planning Commission's recommended Preferred Alternative  
    June 28, 2023 Planning Commission Meeting Materials
      Recommended a Preferred Alternative to be studied in the FEIS  
    June 21, 2023 Planning Commission Meeting Materials
      Discussed a Preferred Alternative to be studied in the FEIS  
    June 14, 2023 Planning Commission Meeting Materials
      Discussed analysis of alternatives in the DEIS and other analyses  
    June 14, 2023 Release of Racially Disparate Impact Analysis Link to Analysis
      Release of Economic Analysis Link to Analysis
    May 10, 2023 Planning Commission Meeting Materials
      Discussed the alternatives in the DEIS  
    April 27 - June 12, 2023 DEIS Public Comment Period

    DEIS Document & Information

    May 18, 2023 Virtual Public Meeting  
    May 23, 2023 Public Meeting  
    June 1, 2023 Public Meeting  
    April 27, 2023 Release of Draft EIS EIS website
      The release of the DEIS was followed by a 45-day comment period.  
    April 26, 2023 Planning Commission Meeting Materials  
      Reviewed the Draft EIS  
    April 24, 2023 City Council Meeting materials
      An update on the progress of the 2044 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update was provided.  
    Mar. 23, 2023 Housing Forum - Virtual Lunch & Learn Event Materials
    Mar. 21, 2023 Housing Forum - Discussion  
    Mar. 18, 2023 Housing Forum - Drop-in  
    Feb. 23, 2023 Planning Commission PowerPoint & Commission Materials
      Overview of EIS process.  
    Dec. 12, 2022 City Council PowerPoint & Council Materials
      The City Council received a written briefing updating them on the progress of the project and highlighting the EIS process.  
    Sep. 29-Oct. 31, 2022 Environmental Review Scoping Public Comment Period Scoping Notice and Materials
      Draft growth alternatives and the scope of analysis proposed were released for public comment.  
    Fall 2022 Missing Middle Housing Questionnaire Questionnaire Report
      A questionnaire was released to inform what types of mid-scale housing community members are interested in seeing in different parts of the city.  
    Sep. 28, 2022 Planning Commission PowerPoint & Commission Materials
      An update was provided to the Planning Commission on the engagement to date and the scope of expected updates to policies throughout the plan.  
    Summer 2022 Phase 2a: Community Deep Dives Phase 2a Report
         July 14 Environment Presentation & Boards
         Aug. 3 Connection Presentation & Boards
         Aug. 24 Access Presentation & Boards
         Sep. 15 Housing Presentation & Boards
    Spring 2022 Phase 1 Community Engagement Phase 1 Report
         Spring Visioning Questionnaire  
         March 22, 2022 Community Vision Event: This online event gave an overview of the periodic update process and participants discussed areas where Bellevue is fulfilling its vision and where it can do better. Presentation & Notes
    March 9, 2022 Planning Commission PowerPoint & Commission Materials
      The scope of the update was introduced to Planning Commission. No action was taken.  
    February 28, 2022 City Council PowerPoint and Council Materials
      Council directed staff to begin work on the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update.  

     

    2024 Update Community Engagement

    Upcoming community engagement events and online engagement opportunities are hosted on EngagingBellevue.com. Below is a summary of past engagement phases and survey results with links to reports of those phases and the survey. All individual event materials can be found on EngagingBellevue.com.

    Results of Community Based Organization engagement around Middle Housing

    • Missing Middle Housing - Tell Your Story

    Phase 2b -- Discuss Growth Options

    • Summary of outreach and engagement during Phase 2b

    Strategy Team

    • Summary of engagement with the Strategy Team

    Statistically Valid Survey

    • Executive Summary of Survey Results
    • Dashboard of methodology and results

    Phase 2a – Exploring the Data

    • Summary of outreach and engagement during Phase 2a

    Phase 1 – Visioning

    • Summary of outreach and engagement during Phase 1

    City work on HB 1110 – Middle Housing

    With the passage of House Bill 1110, state law requires cities like Bellevue to change local comprehensive plans and development codes to allow up to four housing units per lot (six per lot within one-quarter mile walk of a major transit stop or when two units are affordable) in a variety of housing types. In addition to single-family, residential areas will need to allow at least six other types of housing from this list:  duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, fiveplexes, sixplexes, cottage housing, courtyard apartments, stacked flats or townhouses.

    The legislature also passed HB 1337, which will require Bellevue to update its comprehensive plan and its development code regulating attached and detached accessory dwelling units. These are other forms of housing that can be used to meet the additional units per lot requirements of HB 1110.  

    Bellevue already has many of the housing types listed in HB 1110, but in just a few areas. Bellevue will amend its comprehensive plan and development codes to meet the state requirements to allow these types of housing; however, individual property owners and the housing market will ultimately determine the number and type of housing that is built.

    The first step in complying with the new state laws on housing is already underway as Bellevue updates the city's Comprehensive Plan to prepare for significant, anticipated growth in population and jobs over the next 20 years. The city will continue to analyze the legislation to better understand the requirements and ways to comply. This information will be used by the Planning Commission and City Council to update the Comprehensive Plan.  Once the Comprehensive Plan is updated, the city will revise the development code with more specific requirements. 

    Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendments

    In contrast to periodic updates of the Comprehensive Plan, which are substantial and involve the entire community, amendments associated with specific properties can be requested once per year in Bellevue. Privately-initiated Comprehensive Plan amendments requested in 2023 or 2024 are unlikely to be adopted because of the periodic 2024 update underway.

    Work is underway on the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update (as initiated by the City Council on Feb. 28, 2022), which includes potential changes to the Land Use Maps found within the Comprehensive Plan. This work will continue throughout 2023 and 2024, with an adoption date for the Periodic Update scheduled on or before June 30, 2024. The City is currently soliciting feedback through its Environmental Review process, including feedback from the public relating to amendment requests associated with specific properties which may include changes to plans, policies, or land use map for specific properties. Formal Community Initiated Requests for changes to the City's Comprehensive Plan land use map, plans or policies related to a particular property will be considered as part of the plan update, but changes to the land use designations that apply to individual properties will be considered in the context of the community's vision for the plan. Submit a comment during the public comment period (September 29 through October 31) through any of the means described on the Environmental Review page if you would like to express a particular comment or request regarding an individual property. 

    It is unlikely that the criterium in LUC 20.30I.140.C (“The proposed amendment does not raise policy or land use issues that are more appropriately addressed by an ongoing work program approved by the City Council”) could be satisfied by an applicant requesting a change to a Land Use Map while the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update is still being processed by the City.  Please also note that a privately-initiated CPA application that does not pass threshold review in 2023 or 2024 may not be resubmitted for three years, due to LUC 20.30I.130.A.2.d.

    More information about annual Comprehensive Plan amendments can be found on the Comprehensive Plan Amendment webpage.

    Housing Needs Assessment

    The City released a new Housing Needs Assessment in 2022. Visit the Housing Needs Assessment page for more information.

    General Elements - Volume 1

    • Cover and Dedication
    • Table of Contents
    • Introduction and Vision
    • Citizen Engagement
    • Land Use
    • Neighborhoods
    • Housing (2022)
    • Capital Facilities
    • Utilities
    • Transportation (2022)
    • Economic Development
    • Environment
    • Human Services
    • Parks, Recreation and Open Space
    • Urban Design and the Arts
    • Shoreline Management
    • Glossary (2020)

    Subarea Plans - Volume 2

    • Cover, Introduction and Table of Contents
    • BelRed
    • Bridle Trails
    • Crossroads (2020)
    • Downtown (2022)
    • Eastgate
    • Factoria
    • Newcastle
    • Newport Hills
    • Northeast Bellevue (2021)
    • Northwest Bellevue (2021)
    • Richards Valley
    • Southeast Bellevue
    • Southwest Bellevue (2020)
    • Wilburton/NE 8th St. (2021)
    • Citywide Comprehensive Plan map (Links to: Maps and GIS -- PDF Maps -- Community Development -- Comprehensive Plan)
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    Contact

    Thara Johnson
    Comprehensive Planning Manager
    Telephone
    425-452-4087
    Email
    tmjohnson@bellevuewa.gov

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