Published October 12 2023
Plus, time for new affordable housing target and Israel attack condemned
The overall crime rate in Bellevue dropped by 13% over the last year, the City Council learned Monday. In his annual crime trend report, Police Chief Wendell Shirley highlighted the Bellevue Police Department’s use of data and “hot spot” policing.
There have been 5,618 Group A crimes (against people, property or society) in Bellevue so far this year, compared to 6,484 this time last year. There have been no murders this year in Bellevue so far, compared to three last year.
While crimes against people, such as assault or rape, were down just 3%, there were significant drops in robberies, burglaries and car prowls.
- Robbery: 81 to 60 (down 26%)
- Burglary: 495 to 376 (down 24%)
- Theft from Motor Vehicle (car prowl): 905 to 677 (down 25%)
There was a 59% drop in theft of car parts – 474 to 194 – with far fewer thefts of catalytic converters this year.
There was a 26% jump in car thefts associated with a security flaw in certain Hyundai and Kia models. Bellevue police will offer a limited number of The Club anti-theft devices to residents free of charge later this fall.
Chief Shirley and Assistant Chief Andrew Popochock noted that officers regularly access updated data that allows them to monitor existing and emerging “hot spots” for crime. As part of an anti-crime initiative launched last year, police have targeted operations at crime hot spots including stores and malls.
More information is available in the council materials.
Time for new affordable housing target
With the city on the verge of meeting its 2027 goal for number of affordable housing units added to the city’s supply, the council began discussions on Monday to consider setting a new target.
“The 2017 affordable housing goal of 2,500 units over 10 years was a reasonable target at the time but needs updating,” planners noted in their regular status report about progress of Bellevue’s Affordable Housing Strategy.
A total of 2,307 housing units and 100 shelter beds have been funded or built since the strategy was developed. Another 1,036 units are in the pipeline, many leveraging incentives developed as part of the city strategy such as a multifamily tax exemption.
The city has also made considerable progress over the last 18 months on “Next Right Work” actions to further increase housing production and affordable housing opportunities, including:
- Removing barriers to the construction of micro-apartments
- Allowing higher density for certain residential uses to incentivize residential over commercial development
- Reducing permit review and inspection fees for affordable housing projects
- Encouraging accessory dwelling units and duplexes, triplexes and quadplexes, including a mechanism for separate ownership
- Simplifying the permitting process for affordable housing
Using Bellevue’s December 2022 Housing Needs Assessment as a starting point, staff will begin evaluating a new affordable housing target for the city next year as part of the Comprehensive Plan update now underway.
More information is available in the council materials.
Mayor condemns attack on Israel
Mayor Lynne Robinson issued a statement at the beginning of the meeting, condemning the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel. “I want to acknowledge and strongly condemn the deadly attacks in Israel over the weekend as we mourn the devastating loss of life,” Mayor Robinson said. “The targeting of civilians in these actions is unacceptable and horrific. Our hearts are with those who have family and ties to the area.”
She continued, “Our hope is that in our community discourse we will seek common ground and reject all forms of violence as a solution, and that our shared desire to avoid war and find a lasting peace will prevail for today and future generations.” The full statement is available on video replay through Bellevue Television.
‘Savvy’ award for housing guide
Staff from the Community Development and Information Technology departments received a Savvy award from the City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA) for creating a housing guide that spurred engagement around the Comprehensive Plan update.
The 26-page document uses data, pictures, graphics and personal stories to explain why and how Bellevue is planning for future housing needs. Staff in Community Development drafted content for the guide and a graphic designer in IT designed it.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Domestic Violence Action Month proclamations
In other business, the council issued proclamations for Indigenous Peoples’ Day (which was Oct. 9) and Domestic Violence Action Month.