Council approves 20-year Comprehensive Plan update

Published October 24 2024

Following a short presentation from staff at Tuesday's City Council meeting, the council voted unanimously to approve Bellevue's 2024-2044 Comprehensive Plan periodic update. Last substantially updated in 2015, the updated plan will guide city growth and development for the next 20 years.

Bellevue's growth strategy includes planning for 35,000 additional units of housing and 70,000 more jobs by 2044 - primarily in transit-oriented developments such as Wilburton and BelRed, and in mixed-use centers throughout the city.

"This is a tremendous accomplishment," Mayor Lynne Robinson said. "From emphasizing transit-oriented communities, centering equity and advancing housing affordability, it's an exciting time for Bellevue. Our city's goal is to create an equitable opportunity for a high quality of life for all our residents. And this comprehensive update allows us to plan for that future."

The updated plan also features climate-focused strategies aimed at aligning the city with new state regulations. It addresses a range of transportation and land use codes, with a targeted emphasis on how these influence climate change.

"The Comprehensive Plan update is the culmination of years of effort and partnership between city staff and leaders and members of the community," said Brady Nordstrom, associate director of government relations and policy at the Housing Development Consortium. "This visionary plan boldly increases Bellevue's capacity for housing and will make the city more accessible and affordable to the people who live, work and play here.

"The emphasis on mixed-use, transit-oriented development leverages the generational investments in light rail and other multimodal transportation," Nordstrom added. "This plan, combined with investments in code, programs, and new revenue tools for affordable housing, will also support homeownership and anti-displacement, while beginning to identify and undo past inequities in housing."

The Planning Commission recommended the updated plan, which aligns with the Council Vision, as well as state, regional and county requirements. The update was recently completed, after more than two and a half years of outreach, development and environmental review. The Plan also received a Vision 2050 Award from the Puget Sound Regional Council for its approach to community engagement called "Bellevue 2044 - Building a Livable City for All."

Full details are available in the meeting materials.