Published June 14 2024
Plus, discussions on permit streamlining, updates on RapidRide K Line and Housing Accord Program
The Puget Sound Regional Council presented the VISION 2050 award to the City Council for notable community engagement efforts during the development of the 2044 Comprehensive Plan. The PSRC cited the city’s combination of traditional outreach with creative new approaches, such as the use of cultural outreach assistants to support equitable engagement and build lasting relationships with community members, as contributors to the win.
The VISION 2050 Awards celebrate progress to enhance the region’s communities and natural environment while advancing equity and opportunity for all.
Permit streamlining and implementation of state law
In other business, the council received a presentation on the city’s response to recent changes to state law, as well as other policy changes regarding permitting resulting from the adoption of Senate Bill 5290.
During the 2023 legislative session, SB 5290 was signed into law, which updated portions of the Local Project Review Act (Chapter 36.70B RCW) and outlined the requirements for local governments to follow in reviewing and processing applications for development projects. SB 5290 is intended to streamline the permitting process with an emphasis on supporting housing production. The law contains over a dozen different sections and includes a variety of mandatory and voluntary measures for local governments to consider when implementing permit streamlining, as well as establishing a key role for the state Department of Commerce.
The Development Services Department presented several recommendations to comply with SB 5290. These include amending the land use code to update procedural requirements related to permits, making updates to site plan review, and ensuring the code remains aligned with state law.
The council directed staff to begin work to implement the recommended strategy to modify permit timelines and implement three specific streamlining measures. The full details of the implementation strategy are available in the agenda materials.
RapidRide K Line and city transportation project updates
The Transportation Department and King County Metro updated the council on efforts to re-engage with the community about the RapidRide K Line after the project was paused in 2020. Planned for service in 2030, the K Line will provide fast, reliable and frequent transit service between Totem Lake in Kirkland and the Eastgate Park-and-Ride, with stops at key hubs such as Bellevue College and downtown Bellevue.
King County Metro presented a multi-phase community engagement plan that includes a public survey available between June 27 and July 24 for community members to share their input on proposed K Line route and station location options.
During the session, the council unanimously adopted a set of Guiding Principles, which the city’s project staff will use to represent local needs and ensure that the city's transit interests are effectively represented throughout K Line planning.
Councilmembers also underscored the importance of making the K Line consistent and reliable, and expressed their support for multimodal connections that will enhance access to the bus route.
Questions regarding the project or upcoming engagement opportunities can be directed to rapidride@kingcounty.gov.
In other transportation news, department staff provided an update on projects funded by the city’s Capital Investment Program and the Neighborhood Safety, Connectivity and Congestion Levy.
Housing Accord Program helps build housing stability for renters
Councilmembers received an update on the city’s Housing Accord Program, which provides an alternative to court-based solutions, such as eviction, for rental housing-related issues in Bellevue and Kirkland.
The voluntary program builds upon the Bellevue Conflict Resolution Center’s experience with the Eviction Resolution Pilot Program, which provided landlords and tenants who were behind on paying rent a mediation and conciliation process before going through an eviction in court.
Proclamations for Pride Month, Juneteenth and World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
The council also read three proclamations at Tuesday’s meeting. The council proclaimed June as Pride Month 2024, read a proclamation recognizing June 19 as Juneteenth in Bellevue and proclaimed June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The full text of the proclamations is available in the meeting materials.