The Wilburton study area will witness the arrival of several major infrastructure improvements in the coming years. The Eastrail will open to bicyclists and pedestrians, offering a separated bike and pedestrian connection from Woodinville to Renton. In 2024, East Link, the region's second light rail line, will open to its first riders, providing frequent and reliable service from Wilburton to Seattle's Capitol Hill in just 29 minutes.
In order to take better advantage of these investments, the City Council began implementation of the Wilburton Vision on April 25, 2022. This initiative sets in motion the process of developing policy and code to guide the transformation of the Wilburton study area into Bellevue’s next urban mixed-use community that enhances livability, promotes healthy living, supports economic vitality and serves the needs of a diverse and growing population.
The scope of work, project timeline and community engagement plan are included in the council packet materials. The study area was the focus of the Wilburton Commercial Area Study by a citizen advisory committee in 2017-2018.
The project is currently undergoing Environmental Review through an environmental impact statement.
Goals
The city will consider and adopt changes to the Land Use Code and Comprehensive Plan (including the Wilburton/NE Eighth Street Subarea Plan and Comprehensive Plan Map). These changes will facilitate redevelopment in the Wilburton study area, improve amenities, incentivize transit- and trail-oriented uses and establish a unique identity for the area.
Opportunities to Engage
Details and avenues for participating are available at Engaging Bellevue.
Check here often to learn of opportunities to engage as staff works to incorporate the vision. To receive updates on upcoming events and overall progress of this initiative, sign up for our email notification list. See “Alerts” to subscribe.
Progress to Date
Proposed Policy Amendments to Wilburton/N.E. 8th Street and BelRed Subarea Plans
Updated policies support new trail- and transit-oriented development within the Wilburton Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) area. These policies will be shared with the Planning Commission beginning in February. (proposed policy amendments)
Wilburton Vision Implementation Phase 2 Engagement Report
The city heard from over 350 people who provided input on the vision elements and major policy moves that will shape future changes in the Wilburton transit-oriented development area (summary of engagement).
Wilburton Vision Implementation Phase 1 Engagement Report
The city concluded its re-engagement phase, processing feedback from boards and commissions, outreach activities and responses to a questionnaire and interactive map (summary of questionnaire results).
Resident Advisory Committee Vision Report
A City Council-appointed resident advisory committee guided the visioning process for the Wilburton commercial area. The committee studied the land use, transportation and urban design elements of the area and issued a report and recommendations to the council on July 2, 2018.
Project Status and Timeline
The Wilburton project is currently in the Planning stage.
Project Phase | Approximate Date |
Scoping | Completed in 2017 |
Visioning | Completed in 2018 |
Planning | Now - 2023 |
Land Use Code | Summer 2023 - Summer 2024 |
Monitoring & Control | Ongoing after Adoption |
Background Documents
Wilburton Commercial Area Study
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
- Fact Sheet
- Chapter 1 - Summary
- Chapter 2 - Alternatives
- Chapter 3 - Affected Environment, Impacts and Mitigation Measures
- Chapter 3.1 - Geology and Soils
- Chapter 3.2 - Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases
- Chapter 3.3 - Water Resources
- Chapter 3.4 - Ecosystems
- Chapter 3.5 - Land Use
- Chapter 3.6 - Economic Activity
- Chapter 3.7 - Neighborhoods and Populations
- Chapter 3.8 - Aesthetics
- Chapter 3.9 - Transportation
- Chapter 3.10 - Noise
- Chapter 3.11 - Energy
- Chapter 3.12 - Environmental Health
- Chapter 3.13 - Public Services and Utilities
- Chapter 4 - References
- Appendices
Past and Upcoming Presentations
Date | Meeting, Event, or Action Taken | Links |
May (anticipated) | Planning Commission Topic: CPA & LUCA Public Hearings | |
4/10/24 | Planning Commission Study Session Topic: Draft CPA & LUCA - Land Use, Incentives, Housing | |
4/3/24 | Planning Commission Study Session Topic: Draft CPA & LUCA - Site Organization, Buildings, Design | |
3/27/24 | Planning Commission Study Session Topic: Draft CPA & LUCA - Transportation, Streets & Blocks | |
3/14/24 | Transportation Commission Study Session Topic: Recommendation on Draft CPA - Transportation | |
2/28/24 | Planning Commission Study Session (presented jointly with the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update) Topic: Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map | Materials |
2/14/24 | Planning Commission Study Session Topic: Land Use Code Amendments (LUCA) Overview | Materials |
11/29/23 | Planning Commission Study Session Topic: Phase 2 Engagement and Discussion of Community Input | Materials |
11/9/23 | Transportation Commission Study Session Topic: Draft CPA - Transportation | Materials |
7/26/23 | Planning Commission Study Session Topic: Draft CPA - Future Land Use | Materials |
7/24/23 | City Council Study Session (presented jointly with the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update) Topic: Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update and Wilburton Vision Implementation - Continued Review of Preferred Alternative | Materials |
7/17/23 | City Council Study Session (presented jointly with the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update) Topic: Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update and Wilburton Vision Implementation - Review of Preferred Alternative | Materials |
7/13/23 | Transportation Commission Study Session Topic: Review of Internal Access Concepts and Recommendation on Draft CPA - Transportation | Materials |
7/12/23 | Planning Commission Study Session Topic: Draft CPA - Cultural and Community Connections | Materials |
6/28/23 | Planning Commission Study Session (presented jointly with the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update) Topic: Recommendation of Preferred Alternative for Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update and Wilburton Vision Implementation | Materials |
6/21/23 | Planning Commission Study Session (presented jointly with the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update) Topic: Discussion of Preferred Alternative for Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update and Wilburton Vision Implementation | Materials |
6/14/23 | Planning Commission Study Session (presented jointly with the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update) Topic: Racially Disparate Impact Analysis, Economic Analysis and Implications of Analysis for the Preferred Alternative | Materials |
6/13/23 | Parks & Community Services Board Topic: Draft CPA - Parks, Recreation & Open Space | Materials |
6/8/23 | Transportation Commission Study Session Topic: Draft CPA - Transportation | Materials |
5/24/23 | Planning Commission Study Session Topic: Draft CPA - Open Space and Natural Systems | Materials |
4/24/23 | City Council Study Session (presented jointly with the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update) Topic: Briefing on progress of the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update and Wilburton Vision Implementation | Materials |
3/22/23 | Planning Commission Study Session Topic: Preliminary Policy Guidance to inform Comprehensive Plan Policy Amendments (CPA) | Materials |
3/14/23 | Parks & Community Services Board Topic: Preliminary Policy Guidance to inform Comprehensive Plan Policy Amendments (CPA) | Materials |
3/9/23 | Transportation Commission Study Session Topic: Preliminary Policy Guidance to inform Comprehensive Plan Policy Amendments (CPA) | Materials |
2/22/23 | Planning Commission Study Session (presented jointly with the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update) Topic: Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process and briefing | Materials |
9/28/22 | Planning Commission Study Session (presented jointly with the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update) Topic: Discussion of growth alternatives to inform the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process | Materials |
7/25/22 | City Council Study Session (presented jointly with the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update) Topic: Range of growth concepts to analyze for the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update and the Wilburton Study Area | Materials |
7/14/22 | Transportation Commission Study Session Topic: Project Overview | Materials |
7/13/22 | Planning Commission Study Session (presented jointly with the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update) Topic: Range of growth concepts to analyze for the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update and Wilburton Vision Implementation | Materials |
7/12/22 | Parks & Community Services Board Topic: Project Overview | Materials |
6/8/22 | Planning Commission Study Session Topic: Project Overview | Materials |
5/11/22 | Planning Commission Study Session Topic: Project Overview | Materials |
4/25/22 | City Council Study Session Topic: Initiation of the Wilburton Vision Implementation - Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPA) and Land Use Code Amendment (LUCA) | Meeting Materials |
Related Projects
- Eastrail Framework Plan
- East Link and Wilburton Station (Sound Transit)
- Eastside Rail Corridor