Bellevue Planning Commission Meeting - January 14, 2026

The Bellevue Planning Commission held its first meeting of 2026 on January 14, 2026, in a hybrid format. The meeting included two study sessions: an introduction to the 2026 Comprehensive Plan Amendment (Evans Plaza) and a check-in on the Bell Red Look Forward Land Use Code Amendment (LUCA). The Commission also heard public comments and received reports from the Mayor and staff.

Consent Calendar

• The evening's agenda was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Era Pogosova (Managing Director, Theater 33): Expressed gratitude for the 2009 Bell Red Arts District designation and highlighted the importance of land use policies that support affordable space, flexible use, and long-term stability for arts organizations. Noted Theater 33's recent expansion (Studio 33) and partnerships with the Hindi community.
• Sandy Vaux (Executive Director, Bell Red Arts District Community Alliance): Urged the Commission to prioritize preserving arts and culture in the Bell Red LUCA, including affordable space for creation and performance, support for creative businesses and live-work artist housing, publicly accessible arts amenities, and a connective environment for visitors and workers.
• Cody Lodi (Design Principal, Weber Thompson; former co-chair, AIA Mass Timber Committee): Supported the LUCA but recommended more optionality for pedestrian/bike access corridors, larger floor plates for mass timber (up to 25,000 square feet for residential), and removing floor-to-floor height requirements for above-grade parking.
• Cosmos Darwin (Downtown resident): Expressed concern that the revised Bell Red street network drops about one-third of required streets. Urged the city to acquire right-of-way for key connections, retain the street grid where feasible, and require pedestrian connections where streets are dropped. Cited specific examples (131st Avenue, Vicino development).
• Jesse Clausen (representing Steve Malsum): Spoke in support of the Evans Plaza CPA and flexibility on the street grid in Bell Red. Advocated for flexible uses, larger floor plates, and an amenity incentive system that incentivizes stream daylighting, open space, and affordable housing.
• Rebecca Bloom (Chief Investment Officer, Columbia Pacific Advisors): Expressed support for the Bell Red LUCA, particularly incentives for stream daylighting. Requested that submitted master development plans (MDPs) be vested against the new code but allowed to opt in. Urged flexibility on parking requirements, larger floor plates, and the most flexible uses possible.
• Isaac Patterson (Land use attorney, personal capacity): Supported maximum flexibility in the Bell Red LUCA and encouraged development of an MFTE supercharger program similar to Wilburton.

Discussion Items

• 2026 Comprehensive Plan Amendment – Evans Plaza: Staff presented a privately initiated map amendment to change the land use designation of approximately 10 acres at Evans Plaza from "General Commercial" to "Low Rise to Mixed Use" to allow mixed-use development with residential. The site is north of SR 520 in the Bridle Trails neighborhood. The Commission discussed the geographic scope: staff recommended adding a half-acre adjacent parcel to create a coherent map. Some commissioners (Ferris, Villaveces, Gopel) advocated for including an additional five-acre block to the east to unlock more housing potential and avoid creating a one-off. Others (Kennedy, Nilchian) expressed caution about scope creep and potential risks to the applicant. After debate, the Commission voted to accept staff's recommendation (expand scope to the one corner parcel only) and schedule a public hearing for February 11, 2026. A second motion to set the public hearing was also approved.
• Bell Red Look Forward LUCA – Check-in: Staff provided an update on Phase 1 engagement (fall/winter 2025) and the working draft released December 31, 2025. Key themes from outreach: safety, walkability, arts/culture, local streets, and affordable housing. The draft proposes aligning Bell Red land use districts with the Future Land Use Map, introducing a mandatory affordable housing requirement (10% at 80% AMI for rentals), restructuring the amenity incentive system, and refining the local street network. The Commission asked for more detail on cross-sections for different street typologies, stream daylighting and pedestrian connections, floor plate sizes, parking reform, and the timeline for an affordable housing nexus study. Many members expressed interest in a future briefing on Wilburton code outcomes, stream/park incentives, and a catalyst program for Bell Red.

Key Outcomes

• Vote on Evans Plaza geographic scope: Unanimously approved staff recommendation to expand the scope to include one adjacent half-acre parcel (the corner property).
• Vote on public hearing: Unanimously directed staff to schedule a public hearing for February 11, 2026, to conduct threshold review of the Evans Plaza CPA.
• Continued work on Bell Red LUCA: The Commission will receive a revised draft in late March 2026, with a full review expected to begin then. Phase 2 engagement includes a deep dive with the Bellevue Development Committee and an in-person open house in late February.
• Next steps: The Commission approved the minutes from the December 10, 2025 meeting.