Published January 22 2014
Also, PSE proposes new transmission line
The City Council on Tuesday reviewed findings from the 2013-2014 Human Services Needs Update. The biennial report will be used by the Human Services Commission to make recommendations to the Council on how to allocate resources in 2015 and 2016.
Used by many group for planning purposes, the Update provides a comprehensive picture of needs and issues in Bellevue. It’s based on a telephone and online survey of more than 600 Bellevue residents in February and March 2013. Key survey findings include:
- Quality of life: Residents remain highly satisfied with their quality of life. In 2013, 96 percent of survey respondents rated the overall quality of life in Bellevue as "excellent" or "good," compared with 98 percent in 2011;
- Affordable housing: Demand for homeless housing continues to outpace demand by a wide margin. Also, in eight consecutive surveys, residents rated a lack of affordable housing as the top community problem;
- Services for older adults: Many survey respondents cited the need for more services to help the growing population of older adults. In 2013, 25 percent of clients served by the Bellevue Hopelink Food Bank were 55 or older, compared with 16 percent in 2010; and
- Transportation: Inadequate public transportation was the top household problem reported in the 2013 survey. Not having convenient and affordable transportation is especially challenging for older adults, people with disabilities and low-income people.
Once finalized the 2013-2014 Human Services Needs Update will be posted at Human Services. More information is available with the council's study session materials.
Plans for new electrical transmission line
Puget Sound Energy, which supplies electricity to Bellevue, has proposed an Energize Eastside project to bring new, higher capacity transmission lines to the Eastside.
On Tuesday PSE officials provided the council an overview of the project. The company wants to site and build 18 miles of new 230-kilovolt transmission lines from Renton, through Bellevue, to Redmond.
PSE officials said the project is needed to provide dependable power to serve the region's expected growth. Potential route segments are identified in a corridor running north-south that is bounded roughly by Interstate 405 on the west and 140th Avenue on the east.
Bellevue's role in the project includes reviewing applications and issuing needed conditional use permits to PSE. The city has established policies and regulations based on past upgrades PSE has made to transmission lines and substations in Bellevue. In 2011 the city also conducted an electrical reliability study to ensure cooperation with PSE on needed projects.
PSE's Community Advisory Group, formed to provide input on a recommended route, will hold its first meeting today at 5:30 p.m. at the Red Lion Hotel in Bellevue, 11211 Main Street. The public is invited to observe. PSE's schedule calls for construction to begin in 2017 and the new transmission lines to be in service in 2018
Information about the PSE project, including an overview map of potential routes and an interactive map that displays route options, is available at Energze Eastside. More information about the city's role is available with council materials.