Published July 14 2023
Also, affordable housing, CCAT and county levy
At Monday’s meeting, a public hearing was held on the proposed formation of a Transportation Benefit District, an independent entity with taxing authority. The district would be created through adoption of new city code.
The benefit district was introduced during a June 12 study session, where councilmembers were briefed on the need to restore transportation maintenance funding that was reduced in the last two budget cycles due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other competing programs. Generating funding to support ongoing capital programs such as Neighborhood Sidewalks and safety programs in support of Vision Zero is also a major focus.
Following the hearing, the council voted 5-1 for staff to present an ordinance establishing a Transportation Benefit District to a future council meeting. Councilmember Conrad Lee voted no on the motion and Councilmember Jennifer Robertson was absent.
If a Transportation Benefit District is adopted, outreach to the community would occur in the coming months to provide more details on the use of funds and the options for generating funds through the district.
Reducing fees and barriers to develop affordable housing
The council acted on three proposals that are part of “Next Right Work” actions to encourage more housing, including affordable housing, in Bellevue and minimize procedural impacts to building housing. Councilmembers voted unanimously to bring back three ordinances for action at a future meeting.
To incentivize affordable housing production in the city, a permit review and inspection fee reduction program was proposed last year. Permit review and inspection fees can make up a substantial part of a project’s development cost. Projects offering 100% affordable housing at or below 80% of the area median income would qualify, as well as certain land uses that provide housing, shelter or services to people experiencing homelessness. The program is estimated to cost $310,000 annually. Additional information is available in the agenda materials.
The second proposal would amend the city’s State Environmental Protection Act exemption levels for certain projects. This will simplify the permitting process, help to shorten permit review timelines, remove redundant processes already covered by the city’s land use code and decrease project delays.
Finally, the third action would allow the city to establish consistent street standards for all townhouse developments. The current transportation requirements were developed for single-family lots with city-owned streets. This update responds to the modern, urban housing styles being built in Bellevue with standardized requirements based on housing type. More information about the second and third proposals is available in the agenda materials.
Update on crisis team
In other business, Fire Chief Jay Hagen and Police Major Alycia McKinney provided an update on the Community Crisis Assistance Team, which pairs specially trained plain-clothes police officers with Fire Department mental health professionals to respond to 911 crisis calls.
Police have selected a sergeant and five officers for this specialized team. The team begin training this month.
County veterans levy
The council also received a presentation about King County’s proposed Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy renewal. The levy was last approved/renewed in 2017. Since 2006, the county levy has funded a wide range of programs that connect veterans, military service members and their families, as well as individuals and families in need, with affordable housing, employment, behavioral health treatment and other services.
The King County Council has approved County Executive Dow Constantine’s proposed six-year levy renewal to be listed on the Aug. 1 ballot. More information on the presentation is in the agenda memo.