Published October 13 2016
Also, critical areas code changes, proposed Bridle Trails park amenities and next steps for Grand Connection
During Monday night's extended study session, the City Council confirmed appointments to the city's Independent Salary Commission. The commission will review and establish the salaries of councilmembers. The five commissioners are Suzanne Baugh, Gerald Hughes, Ronald Higgs, Gerald Kroon and Benjamin Piper. The commission's recommendation is expected by year's end.
Critical areas update
The council adopted a resolution to move forward on the Critical Areas Overlay Update for consistency with the Growth Management Act (GMA) requirement of cities and other jurisdictions. Critical areas include streams, wetlands, geologic hazardous areas, habitats associated with species of local importance like salmon and loons, and frequently flooded areas.
As the code update may impact some property owners, there are provisions to grandfather in those who own property in buffers identified in the Native Growth Protection Easements and Critical Area Land Use Permits. The council's action is intended to ensure the city is protecting environmental resources in a manner consistent with the GMA to provide uniform protections of environmental resources statewide.
Next, staff will provide the code amendment to the state Department of Commerce to demonstrate compliance with the GMA, allowing Bellevue to be eligible for applicable grants and loans. The amendment will also be provided to the Department of Ecology for inclusion in the Shoreline Master Program Update currently under their review.
Council supports park plan in Bridle Trails
Based on the residents' input, the amenities featured in the preferred park plan would include play areas for younger and older kids, a picnic shelter, native plantings and wildlife viewing, interpretive elements, picnic tables and benches, open lawn area and parking. Staff is also exploring the installation of a flashing pedestrian crosswalk across 140th Avenue Northeast.
With the council's support, the city will now conduct cost analysis and explore funding options through future Capital Improvement Plan requests.
Grand Connection Vision
The visioning work for making the Grand Connection a reality continues. The Grand Connection is a council priority initiative to establish a vision for a non-motorized corridor that connects from Meydenbauer Bay, through downtown, to the Wilburton commercial area and Eastside Rail Corridor. Recently, city leadership and staff explored San Jose, Calif., as part of an annual Bellevue Downtown Association study tour. Through the tour, they studied first-hand examples of urban design, placemaking, programming and public space initiatives that could be considered for downtown.
At the end of the month, the city and King County will co-host a series of events with Jeff Risom from Gehl People, focusing on the Eastside Rail Corridor and the Grand Connection. On Nov. 1, the city and county will host "Enlivening Wilburton: Trailside Café," which will activate a segment of the Eastside Rail Corridor. For more information about the Grand Connection project updates, designs and events, visit www.bellevuegrandconnection.com.