Published December 14 2023
Plus, Airfield Park update and commendation for councilmember
Following a public hearing Monday, the City Council unanimously approved land use code amendments and a related change to a 2009 agreement with Wright Runstad & Company that support continued development in BelRed.
The city adopted a subarea plan and land use code amendments for BelRed in 2009 to facilitate its transformation from an underutilized industrial area into a collection of mixed-use neighborhoods.
That year the city signed a 15-year development agreement with Wright Runstad for a catalyst project. The agreement provided reduced fee-in-lieu rates (development fees) and other incentives in exchange for the construction of developer-funded streets and other infrastructure in the new Spring District neighborhood.
The code and development agreement amendments approved by the council Monday authorize the continued development of the Spring District catalyst project. The amendments include an increase to the Tier 1 catalyst project fee-in-lieu rates and added flexibility for the city to use those fees to support the development of affordable housing.
Complete details about the Spring District catalyst project are in the council materials.
Update on Airfield Park plan
Staff gave a presentation to the council on an updated master plan for Bellevue Airfield Park, currently undergoing environmental review. The plan for the park in Eastgate, changed from an adopted 2012 plan, includes a new aquatic center and pickleball courts.
Councilmember Jennifer Robertson, who has championed the revised plan but will be off the council when the plan comes to a vote, likely next year, spoke about it.
“I think this is going to be a really great project,” Robertson said. “As existing pools built in the ‘60s and ‘70s start to fail and Bellevue’s population grows, the need for more aquatics has just become more urgent.”
The full presentation and discussion is available on Bellevue Television’s replay of the meeting.
Councilmember Robertson commended
The council issued a commendation for Councilmember Robertson, who did not seek reelection this year and was participating in her last meeting. She has served on the council for 14 years; including two (2012 and 2013) as deputy mayor.
Robertson was honored for supporting, either as a member of the council or the Planning Commission, initiatives including Downtown Livability, transformations of BelRed and Wilburton, multiple park levies and an agreement with Sound Transit that ensured East Link will serve the needs of Bellevue residents.
NOTE: The council will be off for the remainder of December for its annual holiday break, meeting next on Jan. 2.