Published May 13 2021
Plus, Crossroads development moving forward and briefing on Hate Has No Home Here outreach
On Monday, the City Council unanimously approved a major update to the Council Vision and adopted 2021-2023 Priorities. The work was the result of two council retreat sessions earlier this year and considered the ongoing impacts of a global pandemic and the significant growth occurring in the region.
“I want to thank the council and staff for all the hard work in pulling together these two retreat sessions…I’m really pleased with the work,” noted Mayor Lynne Robinson before the unanimous vote.
The council vision and priorities are detailed in the meeting agenda item but include priorities focused on seven strategic target areas:
- Economic Development;
- Transportation & Mobility;
- High Quality Built & Natural Environment;
- Great Places Where You Want to Be;
- Regional Leadership & Influence;
- Achieving Human Potential; and
- High Performance Government.
The updated work in part continues strategic efforts already underway at the city but also includes new work and considerations in response to the community’s evolving needs. Councilmembers are expected to pursue a budget amendment in future budget actions to apply the remaining funds in the Council Contingency Fund to address these needs.
The full discussion is available through video replay on Bellevue Television.
Crossroads development moving forward
Public hearings were held on two facets of a development agreement currently under review by the city for a 224-unit, mixed-use, multifamily development in the Crossroads Bellevue shopping center area.
The public hearings collected comment on whether the project should proceed and whether to make it eligible for a multifamily tax exemption.
Extending the city tax exemption to the development site allows the development to include dedicated affordable housing as a way to enhance the overall public benefit and lets the developer take advantage of affordable housing incentives. When the council last reviewed the development agreement, they specifically asked whether an affordable housing component could be included, so the city worked with the developer to explore ways to accomplish that goal.
During the public hearings, two people spoke in favor of the development and extending the tax exemption to this project. Councilmembers unanimously adopted both ordinances to keep the project moving forward in the review process and add eligibility for the tax exemption. Further details are available in the meeting agenda items 9a (ordinance 6576) and 9b (ordinance 6577).
Council briefing on Hate Has No Home Here campaign
In other business, councilmembers received a briefing on ongoing activities to promote an inclusive community through the city’s recently launched “Hate Has No Home Here” outreach campaign.
The initiative includes personal commitments from community members and partner organizations to stand together against hate. Bellevue has distributed more than 1000 yard signs as a visible way for residents to show support for neighbors. Distribution of materials included sign pick-up at Bellevue libraries, business window stickers distributed by the Bellevue Chamber and banners placed at school locations by the Bellevue School District.
Due to the swell of local support, Bellevue was contacted by people interested in being part of the campaign or cities looking to launch a similar campaign of their own from as far away as Michigan.
More information on how to participate is available on the city’s dedicated Hate Has No Home Here webpage. The full council briefing is available on video replay.