In February 2025, the Bellevue City Council initiated the BelRed Look Forward Land Use Code Amendment (LUCA) to implement recently adopted amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and Subarea Plan for BelRed.
Background
In October 2024, the city council adopted the BelRed Look Forward Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPA) through Ordinance No. 6810. The BelRed Subarea Plan was updated to reflect new conditions, strengthen implementation and increase capacity for housing and job growth. The update also provided clearer direction for how the plan should be carried out through land use regulations, infrastructure investments, partnerships and development review.
Code Amendment Approach
The BelRed Look Forward LUCA will update how development is regulated in the BelRed area to reflect recently adopted Comprehensive Plan policies. The draft BelRed Look Forward LUCA will involve a rewrite of existing code (LUC 20.25D) and is designed to align with a new structure and framework now being used for Bellevue’s mixed-use districts. This new framework builds on many of the dimensional standards, review processes, and land use allowances established through the Wilburton Vision Implementation LUCA (Part 20.25R of the Land Use Code).
Under this approach: A new Part 20.25B will establish shared regulations that apply to mixed-use districts across the city, including Wilburton and BelRed. Separate overlay sections will address district-specific differences: Part 20.25C for Wilburton and Part 20.25D for BelRed.
This structure creates consistency across districts while allowing each area to reflect its unique identity, goals and community priorities.
The first draft of the BelRed LUCA is anticipated to be published at the end of December 2025. This will be a working draft, meaning it will include placeholders, early policy language for discussion and some incomplete sections. The purpose of this initial release is to gather community feedback early in the process. Public input on the first draft will help shape a revised strike draft, which is expected to move forward for formal review with the Planning Commission beginning in March 2026.
Opportunities to Engage
The first public working draft of the BelRed code is now available for review.
Community members are invited to an Open House on Mon, Feb. 23 to learn more about proposed changes, talk with the planning team and share feedback.
Visit EngagingBellevue.com/belred-luca for additional interactive options to share input on desired community features in different parts of BelRed and support the planning team in identifying priorities.
Project Timeline and Schedule
May 14, 2025 Planning Commission BelRed Introduction Meeting Materials
Feb. 25, 2025 City Council Initiation of BelRed Look Forward LUCA Meeting Materials
Jan. 14, 2026 Planning Commission Overview of LUCA approach and summary of key priorities identified through community outreach
Feb. 23, 2026 Open House (In-person)