Bellevue Planning Commission Meeting - February 25, 2026

The Bellevue Planning Commission held a study session on parking reform land use code amendments, covering state mandates, council direction, and outreach plans. They also discussed and provided direction on 2025 annual process improvement survey recommendations. Public comment was received on parking reform.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jesse Clausen (virtual): Commented on the parking code discussion, noting shock that parking codes have not been updated since the 1960s. Urged the commission to bring the code into the 21st century, consider tools used by other jurisdictions (e.g., reducing parking minimums based on studies, allowing existing nonconformities for parking to continue when retenanting), and making it easier for small businesses to thrive and relocate.

Discussion Items

• Parking Reform Land Use Code Amendment (LUCA): Staff presented the project scope, driven by three recent state bills (SB 6015, HB 1491, SB 5184) that collectively standardize parking stall dimensions, establish minimum parking requirement caps, and limit parking requirements near transit. Bellevue must comply by January 27, 2027. Key provisions: no parking minimums for residential or mixed-use within half-mile of light rail or quarter-mile of rapid ride stations; no minimums for small residential units (<1,200 sq ft), commercial spaces <3,000 sq ft, affordable housing, senior housing, child care centers, ground floor commercial in mixed-use, conversions from non-residential to residential, and changes of use between commercial spaces; caps on minimums (0.5 space per multifamily unit, 1 per single-family, 2 per 1,000 sq ft commercial); must allow tandem parking; parking spaces cannot exceed 8 ft x 20 ft, city cannot require garages or carports. Council directed staff to explore options beyond the state mandate: standardizing walk sheds to half-mile for both transit types, addressing pedestrian safety, handling change of use situations, and researching elimination of minimum parking citywide. Staff is not recommending pursuing the safety-based “off-ramp” due to high bar and uncertain timeline.
  • Commissioner comments: Commissioner Balevasis requested clear code on aisle widths and parking dimensions; suggested wider spaces (e.g., 9x19). Commissioner Kennedy asked about funding pedestrian sidewalks to replace eliminated parking; staff noted pedestrian safety considerations will be part of optional analysis. Commissioner Geppel expressed concern about going beyond state standards initially, citing spillover parking issues at Plymouth Crossing. Commissioner Liu inquired about fire access; staff confirmed fire access is regulated separately. Chair Hanlu raised small business costs for parking validation and proposed creative solutions like drop-off/pickup areas. Commissioner Balevasis showed examples of shared parking structures (Lincoln Road, Miami; Copenhagen's Park & Play; museum parking) and urged consideration of shared parking and looking at other jurisdictions' experiences. Commissioner Nilchan asked about encouraging parking provision where it is not required; staff confirmed they are exploring options.
• 2025 Annual Process Improvement Survey: Staff presented recommendations and requested commission direction on process improvements from retreat discussions. Items included: creating a standardized memo section or table to consolidate and respond to public input; considering limiting responses to last-minute comments (after 11 a.m. meeting day) to ensure adequate review; establishing a regular pre-meeting briefing (office hours) for clarification, with RSVP to avoid quorum (time to be polled via email); clarifying the Planning Commission’s scope within council mandates earlier in the process; developing a toolbox of visual aids (maps, diagrams, walkthroughs); future mentorship program (deferred to citywide onboarding review); and creating a glossary of acronyms (to be developed over time as an informal, updatable resource). The commission provided consensus and direction on these items.

Key Outcomes

• Parking Reform LUCA: Next steps include developing a draft LUCA this summer, with public outreach (April 20 in-person data walk, meetings with stakeholders, continued engagement with technical advisory committee). The commission will review the draft this summer, with approval hoped for in fall 2026 and city council approval by end of 2026.
• Process Improvement Survey: The commission directed staff to implement the suggested improvements, including: adopting a template for responding to public input (at appropriate stages); setting up regular pre-meeting briefings (office hours); clarifying decision criteria and council scope earlier in memos; developing a toolbox of reusable visual aids; and creating an evolving glossary of acronyms. No formal vote was needed, approval was given by consensus.
• Meeting Minutes: The January 28, 2026 meeting minutes were approved by unanimous consent (Commissioner Ferris absent).
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:40 p.m.