Published May 18 2025
Plus, 2025-26 federal legislative agenda and city proclamations
At its meeting Tuesday the City Council received a briefing on the proposed land use code amendments recommended by the Planning Commission to support middle housing development throughout the city, as required by recent changes to state law.
In 2023, the Washington Legislature passed House Bills 1110 and 1337, which require cities like Bellevue to allow more housing types and density in residential areas to expand housing choices, improve affordability and increase supply. Cities must adopt the necessary code changes by June 30.
State law now requires Bellevue to allow a minimum number of units per lot citywide, permit at least six types of middle housing, allow two accessory dwelling units (ADUs) per lot and enable separate ownership for these housing types. The proposed city land use code amendments meet these requirements and also include additional density recommendations in key geographies adjacent to transit and growth centers, as well as development regulation flexibility to support the goals of the city’s updated Comprehensive Plan.
The Planning Commission held three study sessions and a public hearing before recommending the code amendments to the council.
Council discussion on these proposals will continue at a future study session. The full presentation and discussion from this week are available through video replay on Bellevue Television with supporting information available in the meeting materials.
Feedback on Meydenbauer Bay Park expansion
Later, the City Council directed staff to return with more information on the “Meydenbauer Gateway and Promenade expansion” that will connect Meydenbauer Bay Park with downtown. As an anchor of the west end of the Grand Connection, the gateway will feature a plaza at Main Street with an accessible walkway down toward the beach, offering a new safe pedestrian connection to the existing park.
Once council approves the next phase of design work, the project will move forward to the engineering and permitting phase.
Staff presented the latest plan for Phase 2 of Meydenbauer Bay Park’s expansion to the council. The next phase builds upon the master plan for the park that was originally adopted in 2010. Current concepts were developed with input from thousands of community members in meetings and surveys over the past two years.
In addition to the gateway, which could include a significant art installation, the plan calls for improvements at the intersection of Main Street, 100th Avenue and Lake Washington Boulevard, which will make it easier for people walking and biking to navigate to and through the park safely.
This second phase of expansion is expected to start construction in 2029. The first phase of park construction was completed in 2019 and included a curved pedestrian pier, larger beach, children’s play area and kayak/paddleboard launch facilities.
More information about the progress is available in the meeting materials.
2025-26 Federal Legislative Agenda approved
In other business, the council received an update on the recently finished state Legislative session and councilmembers unanimously approved the city’s federal legislative agenda, which includes key priorities for the city that are communicated to Bellevue’s federal representatives.
The top three areas in the updated federal legislative agenda are: transportation and mobility; essential and sustainable infrastructure; and housing and safety net programs. Members of the City Council will travel to Washington DC in June to have meetings with federal representatives and share these priorities and the specific work the city aims to accomplish within these areas.
Further details are in the meeting materials.
Proclamations for Asian heritage, older Americans and building safety
The council read proclamations in recognition of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Older Americans Month and Building Safety Month.
For alternate formats or reasonable accommodations please phone at least 48 hours in advance 425-452-4346 (voice) or email mdegrand@bellevuewa.gov. For complaints regarding modifications, contact the City of Bellevue ADA, Title VI, and Equal Opportunity Officer at ADATitleVI@bellevuewa.gov.