This Land Use Code Amendment (LUCA) will establish criteria and procedures for certain properties owned by religious organizations and located in single family land use districts to be rezoned to permit permanently affordable multifamily housing. The project will also include a city-sponsored rezone for the initial set of properties meeting the recommended criteria.
Project Background
In 2017, the City Council adopted the Affordable Housing Strategy, which includes Action C-1 to "increase development potential on suitable land owned by public agencies, faith-based and non-profit housing entities for affordable housing." The City Council initiated work on Affordable Housing Strategy Action C-1 on July 20, 2020. On December 6, 2021, as a first step in implementing Action C-1, the City Council adopted a 50 percent density bonus for affordable housing developments meeting Action C-1 ownership criteria.
During the process, Council noted that some religious organizations' properties in single-family land use districts have location characteristics that could support higher densities and multifamily housing. They directed a second phase of work to further increase capacity for affordable housing on these properties through a Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPA), LUCA and rezone.
What is Happening Now?
On December 12, 2022, the City Council adopted the CPA, which adds a note to the City's Future Land Use Map and two new Housing Element policies. These policies provide guidance on which single-family properties will be eligible for a rezone:
- All housing units will be permanently affordable housing;
- The property is owned by a religious organization;
- The property is located near high-capacity transportation infrastructure and services; and
- The property is located near other multifamily residential or commercial uses.
The LUCA will incorporate these criteria in specific detail and establish criteria for how much additional capacity will be available to qualifying properties. A rezone for the first set of qualifying sites will be processed concurrent with the LUCA. Under the current proposal, 29 sites would be eligible for this rezone. If additional properties become eligible in the future, their owners will need to apply for a rezone.
The Planning Commission will begin consideration of the proposed LUCA in early 2023.
Upcoming Opportunities to Engage
On Tuesday, Jan. 31, staff will host a virtual public information session to provide updates on this project and answer questions. Sign up to attend on the Bellevue Affordable Housing Info Session Registration page.
Please send comments and questions to the contact listed on this page. This page will be updated with future engagement opportunities.
Related Projects
Increasing Affordable Housing Capacity on Faith-Owned Properties
Project Timeline and Schedule
| Date | Meeting or Action Taken | Links |
| To be scheduled | Planning Commission Study Session 1 | |
| To be scheduled | Planning Commission Study Session 2 | |
| To be scheduled | Planning Commission Public Hearing | |
| To be scheduled | Planning Commission Action | |
| To be scheduled | City Council Study Session | |
| To be scheduled | City Council Action |