Published February 28 2025
Plus, process for filling council vacancy and land use code amendments for critical areas and BelRed
The City Council heard from members of the Centering Communities of Color Coordinating Team Tuesday about community dialogues that helped inform proposed updates to the city’s Diversity Advantage Plan.
The top three priorities identified during the dialogues were affordable housing, community spaces that inspire belonging, and investment in community aid and community partners as agents of change.
Since Bellevue’s Diversity Advantage Plan was initially adopted in 2014, it has helped establish the Diversity Advantage Team and the Bellevue Diversity Advisory Network. The plan has helped the city expand and deepen community outreach, cultural celebrations and programs focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion.
A major update to the plan will go before the council this year. For the updated plan, city departments will develop two-year plans to identify short-term, actionable steps to ensure progress.
People of color constitute the majority (up to 60%) of Bellevue residents. Bellevue’s communities of color, residents who speak a language other than English as their first language and those with disabilities, among other groups, experience worse outcomes on indicators of wellbeing such as income, home ownership and employment.
Details are in the agenda materials.
Process for filling upcoming council vacancy
The council discussed the process of appointing someone to fill Councilmember Janice Zahn’s seat after she resigns in late March and joins the state Legislature. The person appointed by the council will fill the seat through the November 2025 election, and longer if they are elected.
The council approved elements of their appointment process, including a set of questions interested community members should respond to if they want to apply for the council position. The council also finalized a schedule for reviewing applications, interviewing finalists and appointing someone. More information about the application process are available in a city news release about the process.
Critical areas Land Use Code Amendment
The council also directed staff to update the city’s critical areas ordinance to ensure it aligns with the state’s Growth Management Act. The update will refine protections for wetlands, floodplains, geologic hazard areas, fish and wildlife habitats, and critical aquifer recharge zones while balancing Bellevue’s growth and housing priorities.
The update will clarify key definitions, refine setback and mitigation requirements and improve the permit review process. A technical consultant will conduct a scientific review to help guide policy updates and ensure consistent regulations. The update must be adopted by the end of 2025 to comply with state law and maintain the city’s eligibility for key environmental and infrastructure funding programs.
More information can be found in the meeting materials.
BelRed Land Use Code Amendments
The council approved moving forward with the BelRed Look Forward Land Use Code Amendment to implement recently adopted amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and Subarea Plan for BelRed.
The code amendments will align development regulations with updated policies, including increased housing and job growth, transit-oriented growth and expanded medical-related uses. The updates will also refine strategies for affordable housing, street network improvements, stream daylighting and the BelRed Arts District.
Details on the proposed code amendments are available in the meeting materials.