Published August 5 2015
The City Council Monday adopted a new comprehensive plan for Bellevue, a 20-year vision that anticipates changes in the city and lays out ways to address them.
The updated plan replaces the comprehensive plan adopted in 2004. The new plan features notable provisions focused on economic development, transportation, neighborhoods, engagement with a diverse population and affordable housing.
"This is the biggest policy document that we have," noted Mayor Claudia Balducci. "It came out very well, and I'm proud to vote yes for it."
The council unanimously adopted the plan, each member praising it, the considerable public process that contributed to it and the staff, boards and commissions who helped craft it over the last two and a half years.
The council made revisions to the draft update in June. The Planning Commission offered the plan for adoption in April after making changes to a draft based on feedback gathered from a public hearing, an online open house and traditional open houses in February and March.
Building off the previous comp plan, the update continues to support investing in a strong downtown neighborhood, revitalizing commercial areas, protecting neighborhoods and enhancing the character of Bellevue as a "City in a Park." Changes include:
- Growth strategy: The plan anticipates growth of 15,800 housing units and 51,800 jobs by 2035, with the vast majority of growth accommodated through redevelopment downtown and in other mixed-use centers, including BelRed, Eastgate/Factoria and Wilburton.
- Diversity and engagement: In the decade since the last major plan update, Bellevue has become one of the most diverse cities in the state. The population is increasingly more ethnic and is also growing older. The new comprehensive plan seeks to make public engagement open and accessible for all.
- Neighborhoods element: The updated plan includes a new Neighborhoods element that creates a "home" for neighborhood items of interest. It also frames the neighborhood/subarea area plan update process, now set to begin.
- Affordable housing emphasis: The update increases emphasis on housing affordability, housing for seniors and addressing homelessness.
The comprehensive plan was dedicated to Nan Campbell, who served on the City Council for two terms, 1982-1989, and was the city's first woman mayor, 1988-1989.
Permanent marijuana regulations adopted
The council adopted permanent regulations for marijuana sales, production and processing on Monday, making minor additions to the interim ordinance that has been in place since October 2013.
Three retail marijuana stores as well as three marijuana production and processing facilities operate in Bellevue.
Like the interim regulations, the permanent rules limit marijuana production and processing to areas zoned for light industrial uses, and restrict the locations of retail outlets. They also require increased security measures and prohibit outdoor growing.
In line with recent state action aligning recreational and medical marijuana rules, the council prohibited medical marijuana collective gardens. No such gardens currently exist in Bellevue.
Under the Cannabis Patient Protection Act, the state will prohibit collective gardens on July 1, 2016, while at the same time allowing medical marijuana cooperatives. In the fall, the council is slated to look at medical marijuana cooperatives and other new changes for marijuana uses that occurred as part of the recent state legislative session.
City Hall to get green roof
The council on Monday also approved the installation of a "green roof" at City Hall. A layer of soil and vegetation will cover a section of the building's roof as a pilot project partially funded by a $90,000 King Conservation District grant.
Green roofs are a prime example of low-impact development because they slow down and filter rainwater that would otherwise flow directly into the storm drains. In addition, the new roof has the potential to reduce heating and cooling costs on the floor immediately below it by up to 6 percent.
Buckley Nursery Company, the only bidder on the project, will install the soil and vegetation on what is currently 5,000 square feet of gravel-ballasted roof.