The process of amending the comprehensive plan is governed by the state Growth Management Act (RCW 36.70A.130) and Bellevue's Land Use Code (LUC 20.30I). Comprehensive Plan amendments are considered once per year in Bellevue. The consideration of privately-initiated amendments to the plan is a two-step process in Bellevue. At both stages, the Planning Commission holds a public hearing before making a recommendation.
- Threshold Review: This stage evaluates whether the proposals should be part of the annual Comprehensive Plan work program. Planning Commission makes a recommendation to the City Council on which proposals to include in the annual work program. The council then adopts the work program, usually between March and July. There is no assumption that an amendment will be adopted if it is included in the work program.
- Final Review: At this stage, the proposals are evaluated on their merits. Planning Commission makes a recommendation to the council as to whether the amendment should be made. The council adopts (or declines to adopt) amendments, usually in November or December.
All privately-initiated amendments are published in the Weekly Permit Bulletin and, for amendments to the Comprehensive Plan Map, property owners within 500 feet of the site of the proposed amendment are notified. Other people can contact the city and ask to be included in notifications as parties of interest to a specific application.
Propose an Amendment
Amendments to the Comprehensive Plan are considered once per year. Privately-initiated amendment applications are due by Sept. 15 of the year prior to the year of consideration. Complete details on this process are found in the Comprehensive Plan Amendment and Rezone Procedures Guide.
Applications for a plan amendment are available online in the Permit Center.
There are two types of privately-initiated Comprehensive Plan amendments:
- Map amendments: A change to the Comprehensive Plan map
- Policy amendments: A change to the policy language in the Comprehensive Plan
Map amendments require a meeting with staff and an intake application letter from Community Development staff. Policy amendments are advised to meet with staff but an intake letter is not required. Please contact the staff member listed on the right to arrange a meeting at anytime during the year.
Map amendments can also include a rezone application. You can apply for a rezone along with a site-specific Comprehensive Plan amendment to expedite the process.
2025 Comprehensive Plan Amendments
The following Comprehensive Plan Amendments have been proposed for 2025:
- Crossroads Neighborhood Plan update (Great Neighborhoods)
- Staff Contact: Teun Deuling (TDeuling@BellevueWA.gov / 425-229-6534)
- Project website
- Engaging Bellevue site
- Council Launch: September 17, 2024 Council Agenda Materials
- Permit (24-123870 AC)
- Public Comments
- Planning Commission Engagement
- Downtown Subarea Plan update
- Staff Contact: Kate Nesse (KNesse@BellevueWA.gov / 425-452-2042)
- Council Launch: January 14, 2025 Council Agenda Materials
- Permit (25-102194 AC)
- Public Comments (no public comments yet)
- Newport Neighborhood Plan update (Great Neighborhoods)
- Staff Contact: Kate Nesse (KNesse@BellevueWA.gov / 425-452-2042)
- Project website
- Engaging Bellevue site
- Council Launch: September 17, 2024 Council Agenda Materials
- Newport permit (24-123870 AC)
- Public Comments
- Planning Commission Engagement
2024 Comprehensive Plan Amendments
2024 Comprehensive Plan Amendments
| Date | Event | Links |
| June 25, 2024 | City Council | Meeting Agenda |
The City Council reviewed the Planning Commission's recommendation to adopt the CPA for:
| ||
| May 1, 2024 | Planning Commission | Meeting Agenda and Minutes |
The commission held a public hearing regarding the amendments related to:
The Commission voted to recommend the CPA for:
| Staff Report | |
| Apr 3, 2024 | Planning Commission | Meeting Agenda and Minutes |
| The commission studied the Wilburton Vision Implementation CPA. The commission set the date for the public hearing for May 1, 2024. | ||
| Mar 27, 2024 | Planning Commission | Meeting Agenda and Minutes |
The Planning Commission studied the
No action was taken. | ||
| Feb 28, 2024 | Planning Commission | Meeting Agenda and Minutes |
The Planning Commission studied the
No action was taken. | ||
| Jul 26, 2023 | Planning Commission | Meeting Agenda and Minutes |
The Planning Commission studied the
No action was taken. | ||
| Jul 12, 2023 | Planning Commission | Meeting Agenda and Minutes |
The Planning Commission studied the
No action was taken. | ||
| May 24, 2023 | Planning Commission | Meeting Agenda and Minutes |
The Planning Commission studied the
No action was taken. | ||
| Mar 22, 2023 | Planning Commission | Meeting Agenda and Minutes |
The Planning Commission studied the
No action was taken. | ||
| May 11, 2022 | Planning Commission | Meeting Agenda and Minutes |
The following CPA was introduced to the Commission:
No action was taken. | ||
| Apr 25, 2022 | City Council | Meeting Agenda and Minutes |
The following CPAs were introduced to City Council:
Council directed staff to initiate work on the Wilburton Vision Implementation and associated CPA. |
Public Comment
Wilburton Vision Implementation CPA (updated 5/1/2024)
SEPA Determination and Staff Report / Notice of Decision and Public Hearing Weekly Permit Bulletin
2022 Comprehensive Plan Amendments
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event | Links |
| Dec 12, 2022 | City Council | Meeting Agenda and Minutes |
The City Council adopted the following amendments to the Comprehensive Plan:
| ||
| Sept 14, 2022 | Planning Commission: Public Hearing | Meeting Agenda |
The commission will hold a public hearing regarding the amendments related to:
They will consider their recommendation to Council following the public hearing. | ||
| July 27, 2022 | Planning Commission | Meeting Agenda and Minutes |
| The commission studied the Affordable Housing Strategy Action C-1 Phase 2 CPA. The commission set the date for the public hearing for September 14, 2022 | ||
| June 22, 2022 | Planning Commission | Meeting Agenda and Minutes |
The following CPA was introduced to the Commission:
The Commission studied the following CPA:
No action was taken. | ||
| June 16, 2022 | Notice of Application | Weekly Permit Bulletin |
The notice of application was made in the Weekly Permit Bulletin and in the Seattle Times for the following city-initiated CPA:
| ||
| May 9, 2022 | City Council | Meeting Agenda and Minutes |
The Council took the following action:
Affordable Housing Strategy Action C-1 Phase 2 is intended to increase affordable housing capacity on faith-owned properties. |
| |
| April 21, 2022 | Notice of Application | Weekly Permit Bulletin |
The notice of application was made in the Weekly Permit Bulletin and in the Seattle Times for the following privately-initiated CPAs:
| ||
| March 9, 2022 | Planning Commission | Meeting Agenda and Minutes |
The following CPA was introduced to the Commission:
No action was taken. | Project Webpage | |
| March 9, 2022 | Application Withdrawn | |
| The applicant withdrew the application for the 115 100th Ave NE CPA. | ||
| February 23, 2022 | Planning Commission: Geographic Scoping | Meeting Agenda and Minutes |
| The commission studied the geographic scope of the proposed map amendment. They directed staff not to expand the geographic scope. | ||
| February 14, 2022 | City Council | Meeting Agenda and Minutes |
The following CPAs were introduced to City Council:
No action was taken on the 115 100th Ave NE CPA. Council directed staff to initiate work on the Curb Management Plan and associated CPA. | ||
| December 8, 2021 | Planning Commission: Introduction to Privately Initiated CPA | Meeting Agenda and Minutes |
The following CPA was introduced to Planning Commission:
No action was taken. | ||
| November 18, 2021 | Notice of Application | Weekly Permit Bulletin |
The notice of application was made in the Weekly Permit Bulletin and in the Seattle Times for the following privately-initiated CPAs:
|
Application Materials
115 100th Ave NE (permit no. 21-120635-AC)
Affordable Housing Strategy Action C-1 Phase 2 (permit no. 22-105258-AC & DNS)
Curb Management (permit no. 22-103136-AC & 22-106192-LM)
Public Comment
115 100th Ave NE (updated 2/23/2022)
Affordable Housing Strategy Action C-1 Phase 2 (updated (11/7/2022)
Curb Management (updated 11/7/2022)
Curb Management SEPA (updated 8/30/2022)
2021 Comprehensive Plan Amendments
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event | Links |
| December 13, 2021 | City Council Meeting | Meeting Agenda & Minutes |
Council adopted the following amendments to the Comprehensive Plan:
Amendments to the subarea plan updates will be posted when available electronically. | ||
| November 22, 2021 | City Council Study Session | Meeting Agenda & Minutes |
The City Council studied the
No action was taken. | ||
| October 25, 2021 | City Council Study Session | Meeting Agenda & Minutes |
The City Council studied the
No action was taken. | ||
| July 28, 2021 | Planning Commission: Public Hearing | Meeting Agenda & Minutes |
The Planning Commission held public hearings for the final review of the,
The Commission passed resolutions recommending adoption of both amendments. | ||
| July 14, 2021 | Planning Commission: Public Hearing | Meeting Agenda & Minutes |
The Planning Commission held public hearings for the final review of the,
The Commission passed resolutions recommending adoption of each plan by the City Council. | ||
| July 7, 2021 | Planning Commission: Study Session | Meeting Agenda & Minutes |
The Planning Commission studied the
No action was taken. | ||
| June 23, 2021 | Planning Commission: Study Session | Meeting Agenda & Minutes |
| The Planning Commission studied the transportation-related amendments. No action was taken. | ||
| June 9, 2021 | Planning Commission: Study Session | Meeting Agenda & Minutes |
The Planning Commission studied the
No action was taken. | ||
| May 26, 2021 | Planning Commission: Study Session | Meeting Agenda & Minutes |
The Planning Commission studied the
No action was taken. | ||
| April 28, 2021 | Planning Commission: Study Session | Meeting Agenda & Minutes |
The Planning Commission studied the
No action was taken. | ||
| April 14, 2021 | Planning Commission: Study Session | Meeting Agenda & Minutes |
| The Planning Commission studied the transportation-related amendments. No action was taken. | ||
| April 5, 2021 | City Council Meeting | Meeting Agenda & Minutes |
The City Council considered the inclusion of the following privately-initiated amendments in the 2021 Comprehensive Plan Amendment work program (threshold review),
The Council adopted the 2021 annual Comprehensive Plan Amendment work program to include the DASH Glendale proposed amendment. | ||
| March 10, 2021 | Planning Commission: Public Hearing | Meeting Agenda & Minutes |
The Planning Commission held public hearings for the threshold review of the,
The Commission passed resolutions recommending that the City Council include the DASH Glendale proposed amendment and not include the 15 Lake Bellevue proposed amendment in the 2021 Comprehensive Plan Amendment work program. | ||
| Feb 8, 2021 | City Council Meeting | Meeting Agenda & Minutes |
Introduction of the following privately initiated proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Plan:
No action was taken. | ||
| January 27, 2021 | Planning Commission Study Session | Meeting Agenda & Minutes |
Planning Commission studied the geographic scope of the following proposed site-specific plan amendments:
The Commission moved to not expand the geographic scope of either site-specific plan amendment. | ||
| January 7, 2021 | Notice of Application | Weekly Permit Bulletin |
The following applications for Comprehensive Plan Amendments were noticed in the Weekly Permit Bulletin and in the Seattle Times:
| ||
| December 9, 2020 | Planning Commission Study Session | Meeting Agenda & Minutes |
Introduction of the following privately initiated proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Plan:
No action was taken. | ||
Public Comment
to date (7/28/21)
- 15 Lake Bellevue
- DASH Glendale
- Northeast Bellevue Neighborhood Area Plan
- Northwest Bellevue Neighborhood Area Plan
- Transportation Element
The deadline to submit 2021 proposed plan amendments was September 15, 2020. The Planning Commission began its study of the 2021 proposed plan amendments in study session on December 9.
The City of Bellevue received two privately-initiated, site-specific proposed Comprehensive Plan amendments for 2021.
2021 proposed plan amendment application site locations.
Application materials/ Notice of Application Weekly Permit Bulletin
- Northeast Bellevue Neighborhood Area Plan 21-100173-AC
- Northwest Bellevue Neighborhood Area Plan 21-100174-AC
- 15 Lake Bellevue 20-114296 AC
- DASH Glendale 20-114270 AC
SEPA Determination and Staff Report / Notice of Decision and Public Hearing Weekly Permit Bulletin
2020 Results
Applications
The state Commerce Department acknowledged Bellevue's 2020 annual amendment actions under the Growth Management Act. This completes 2020.
Through Ordinances No. 6558, 6559, 6560, 6561, 6562, and 6563 the City Council took action on the Planning Commission's 2020 annual plan amendment recommendations at the Council's December 14, 2020, regular session.
The City Council held a December 14 Regular Session for ordinance action on the five 2020 proposed plan amendments.
The City Council held a November 16 Study Session on the Planning Commission's Final Review recommendations for the five 2020 proposed plan amendments.
The Planning Commission held an October 28 Final Review public hearing on the five 2020 proposed plan amendments.
The East Bellevue Community Council held an October 6 courtesy public hearing on the NE 8th Street Partners and Glendale Country Club NE privately-initiated applications, and on the city-initiated C-1 Affordable Housing proposed plan amendment.
The Planning Commission held a September 23 study session on the four privately-initiated plan amendments. Please check the Planning Commission website and calendar.
The Planning Commission held a September 9 study session meeting on the C-1 Affordable Housing proposed plan amendment.
On August 3 and July 20 the City Council included four privately-initiated plan amendments and one publicly-initiated amendment in the 2020 annual Comprehensive Plan amendment work program.
PUBLIC COMMENT TO DATE (Nov 3) See the Planning Commission agendas and minutes page for oral public testimony at the Threshold Review hearings.
- Affordable Housing C-1 Strategy July-November 2 all in one place
- Glendale Country Club NE - October 28 hearing
- EBCC 10-6 courtesy hearing
- Public Comment received for 9-23 Planning Commission Study Session
- Glendale Country Club NE
- Glendale Country Club NE
- NE 8th St and Glendale CC
- NE 8th St Partners
- 100 Bellevue Way SE
- 100 Bellevue Way SE
- Safegard Self Storage see comments in 9-23 PC meeting (above)
- Kapela Property Redesignation
The next scheduled Planning Commission meeting on the 2020 plan amendments was a Threshold Review public hearing on July 8. The commission will conduct a public hearing for each of the four applications, and will make a recommendation to the City Council.
The applicant for the Kapela Property Redesignation (20-102753 AC) proposed plan amendment has withdrawn their application. No further consideration will be given this proposal in the 2020 annual plan amendment process.
The next scheduled Planning Commission was on June 10 and at which the commission studied geographic scoping of the 2020 proposed plan amendments.
The March, April, and May 2020 City of Bellevue Planning Commission meetings were canceled.
The deadline to submit 2020 proposed plan amendments was January 31, 2020. The Planning Commission began its study of the 2020 proposed plan amendments in study session on February 26.
The City of Bellevue received five privately-initiated proposed Comprehensive Plan amendments in 2020--all are site-specific proposals.
2020 proposed plan amendment application site locations.
Application materials/ February 13 Notice of Application Weekly Permit Bulletin:
- 100 Bellevue Way SE 20-102643 AC
- Safegard Self Storage 20-102660 AC
- NE 8th St Partners 20-102741 AC
- Kapela Property Redesignation 20-102753 AC
- Glendale Country Club NE 20-102772 AC
2019 Results
The state Commerce Department acknowledged Bellevue's 2019 annual amendment actions under the Growth Management Act. This completes 2019.
Through Ordinances No. 6499 and No. 6500 the City Council took action on the Planning Commission's 2019 annual plan amendment recommendations including the Comprehensive Transportation Project List and the General Ordinance, respectively,at the Council's December 9, 2019, regular session. Please refer to this ordinance until the CTPL amendments are codified into the Comprehensive Plan.
The City Council directed staff to return to the December 9, 2019, regular session with an ordinance for action on the proposed Comprehensive Transportation Project List Comprehensive Plan Amendment.
The City Council held a November 4, 2019, study session on the sole 2019 annual proposed Comprehensive Transportation Project List Comprehensive Plan Amendment.
The Planning Commission held an October 23, 2019, Final Review Public Hearing for the proposed CTPL CPA, voting unanimously to recommend the proposed plan amendment for adoption by the City Council. The Commission's recommendation resolution is here. The staff recommendation is available in the October 3 Weekly Permit Bulletin.
The Planning Commission studied the proposed CTPL CPA at its September 25, 2019, Study Session, and provided direction to staff to return with a staff recommendation for public hearing. The City Council on July 15 initiated a 2019 Comprehensive Plan amendment to amend the Comprehensive Transportation Project List (Volume II) as a result of the Transportation Commission's final report on the Eastgate Transportation Study.
The City Council on June 17 did not advance to Final Review the remaining 2019 privately-initiated Comprehensive Plan Amendment application known as Vision Zero for Gun Safety. With the withdrawal of the other three privately-initiated amendments — 12620 Northup Way, Bellevue Technology Center and The Park in Bellevue — the council’s action results in no more privately-initiated plan amendment review for the rest of 2019.
At its May 22 Threshold Review public hearing the Planning Commission recommended to not advance The Vision Zero for Gun Safety proposed plan amendment to Final Review.
At its April 24 Threshold Review public hearings meeting the Planning Commission recommended to not advance The Park in Bellevue and Bellevue Technology Center proposed plan amendments to Final Review (staff presentation).
The applicant for the 12620 Northup Way proposed plan amendment has withdrawn its application. No further action will be taken on this proposal this year.
The commission held a geographic scoping study session on March 13.
The Planning Commission was introduced to the 2019 proposed Comprehensive Plan amendments on February 27.
Applications
The City of Bellevue received four privately-initiated proposed Comprehensive Plan amendments in 2019--three site-specific proposals and one citywide proposal.
2019 CPA application site locations
Application materials:
- Vision Zero for Gun Safety 19-103789 AC
- The Park in Bellevue 19-104143 AC
- Bellevue Technology Center 19-104146 AC
- 12620 Northup Way 19-104147 AC
- East Main 18-103885-AC
Past Comprehensive Plan Amendments
2020 Comprehensive Plan Amendments (Updated 1-22-21)
2019 Comprehensive Plan Amendments (Updated 12-24-2019)
2018 Comprehensive Plan Amendments (Updated 12-31-2018)
Land Use Code amendment to the Comprehensive Plan amendment review process (2019)
The City Council adopted Ordinance No. 6495 with December 2 regular session action for proposed amendments to the Land Use Code at Section 20.30I covering Comprehensive Plan Amendments review processes. The City Council held a November 4 study session on the proposed Land Use Code Amendment (LUCA.)
In an October 23, 2019 public hearing the Planning Commission considered proposed amendments to the Land Use Code at Section 20.30I covering Comprehensive Plan Amendments review processes. Commissioners unanimously recommended approval of the proposed amendments. The Planning Commission resolution is here.