Published March 11 2014
After several years of work by residents, Planning Commission members and staff, the City Council on Monday approved a process to finalize the city's Shoreline Master Program Update.
The Planning Commission completed its work last year, drafting the new shoreline regulations for City Council review. Once the council adopts the SMP, anticipated later this year, the package will be sent to the state Department of Ecology for its review and approval.
Bellevue's SMP was originally adopted in 1974 and essentially is unchanged since then. The update is a significant environmental policy and code amendment effort. It applies to shorelines in Bellevue, including those on Lake Washington, Lake Sammamish, Phantom Lake, some creeks, lands under those waters and land within 200 feet of the high watermark. It affects approximately 1,500 mostly single-family properties in the city.
The schedule of upcoming meetings and topics approved by the council on Monday includes:
- April 14: Topics will include the need for a SMP Update, state SMP adoption requirements and a review of the Planning Commissions recommended SMP package;
- April 28: Review of the Cumulative Impact Analysis and "no net loss" concept, and incorporation of the council-approved light rail use and development regulations;
- May 5: Public hearing;
- May 12, May 27, June 9: Review issues of importance identified by the Planning Commission (three or more per meeting), including public access, lake levels, setbacks/buffers, vegetation retention, critical areas, docks, shoreline stabilization, nonconforming uses and floodplain; and
- Two meeting dates to be determined: A second public hearing on the final SMP Update package; and adoption of the final package and submit to the state Department of Ecology.