Bellevue City Council Meeting - March 10, 2026
Bellevue City Council Meeting - March 10, 2026
The Bellevue City Council met on March 10, 2026, for a regular meeting that included two proclamations, public comments, a public hearing, and three study sessions. Key topics included the annual comprehensive plan amendment work program, a pre-approved plans program for DADUs and cottage housing, and simplification of the business square footage tax.
Proclamations
- Day of Noruz (Persian New Year): Recognized by councilmember Breuer. Dr. Afshin Bidari from the Alf Park group accepted, expressing gratitude for the city's recognition of cultural diversity.
- 25th Anniversary of International Ballet Theatre (IBT): Recognized by councilmember Newenhouse. Vera Alto Nina, Artistic Director, accepted, noting IBT's 25 years of enriching Bellevue's arts community.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously. Included a resolution (10590) for pre-development and future ground lease agreements with Bellwether Housing for a mixed-use affordable housing project on city-owned land in Wilburton, expected to deliver approximately 127 units (40% family-sized).
Public Comments & Testimony
Eight pre-registered speakers addressed the council:
- Norm Hansen (Bridal Trails Community Club): Opposed docketing the Evans Plaza comprehensive plan amendment, arguing it does not meet threshold criteria for changed conditions and would harm neighborhood character.
- Jesse Clausen: Supported docketing Evans Plaza, citing changed conditions from updated city policies encouraging mixed-use in transit-accessible locations.
- Tim Motz (Boys & Girls Club of Bellevue): Announced expansion to all elementary schools and preschools in Bellevue School District, emphasizing over $2 million in scholarships and commitment to closing child care gaps.
- Noriko Fujita (adjacent resident to Newport Presbyterian Church): Strongly opposed the proposed safe parking program, detailing numerous past incidents of rule violations, trespassing, and management failures by the church.
- David Spanier (Greenwich Crest resident): Raised concerns about site compatibility and infrastructure for the safe parking program, citing single-road access, traffic overflow from three Sunday services, limited pedestrian infrastructure, and lack of clarity on security and accountability.
- Charles Wong: Requested a pause in the safe parking permitting process until structured community engagement occurs, noting the city's initial engagement was after the permit was mostly finalized.
- Tim Hay: Alleged that Bellevue Police Department concealed evidence related to child sex trafficking investigations, urging an independent investigation by King County Sheriff, Washington State Patrol, or FBI. (Time expired before completing remarks)
- Miss Myers (unscheduled speaker): Expressed concerns about HOMA upzoning impacts on neighborhood centers, grocery stores, and small businesses, arguing the Evans Plaza threshold criteria were not met and warning of potential food deserts.
Public Hearing
- Utility Easement Release (11040 Main Street): Staff presented a request to release a 1955 utility easement to facilitate redevelopment of a 350-unit residential building (mixed market-rate and affordable). No public speakers. Council voted unanimously to close the hearing and adopt Resolution 10591 authorizing the release.
Study Session: 2026 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Work Program
- Transportation Conformance CPA: City-initiated amendment to update references from the obsolete pedestrian and bicycle plan to the Mobility Implementation Plan. Council voted unanimously to add it to the 2026 work program.
- Evans Plaza CPA (Privately Initiated): Proposal to change future land use from General Commercial to Low Rise Mixed-Use for a 10-acre site at 110th Ave NE & NE 24th St. Planning Commission Vice Chair Johnny Liu reported a 5-2 recommendation to include it in the work program after threshold review. Discussion focused on the changed conditions criterion (updated comp plan policies for neighborhood centers), geographic scope (including a 7-Eleven parcel), and the need to study small business retention and infrastructure impacts. Council voted unanimously to add it to the 2026 work program, with direction to staff to include analysis of small business retention and economic development strategies.
Study Session: Pre-Approved Plans for DADUs and Cottage Housing
Staff presented a three-phase plan: (1) community engagement via surveys, a hackathon, and criteria development; (2) a call for designs with a volunteer community review panel; (3) technical review and program launch after May 2, 2027 (new state building codes). Councilmembers expressed support but raised concerns about design monotony, privacy, and the need for professional guardrails. No formal action was taken; it was an information item.
Study Session: Business Tax Simplification
Staff proposed simplifying the square footage tax (currently complex with ~50% compliance) and moving from a one-time business license to an annual renewal to improve data accuracy and communication. Goals are revenue-neutral simplification with a straightforward calculation (e.g., total sq. ft. × rate with a dollar-for-dollar B&O credit). Outreach to businesses, including small and minority-owned, is planned from April through May 2026, with recommendations expected in June. Councilmembers emphasized minimizing burden on small businesses and ensuring new fees are not added.
Key Outcomes
- Approved consent calendar (including affordable housing agreement).
- Adopted Resolution 10591 releasing the utility easement at 11040 Main Street.
- Directed staff to add the Transportation Conformance CPA to the 2026 annual work program.
- Directed staff to add the Evans Plaza CPA to the 2026 annual work program, with study of small business retention.
- Received information on the pre-approved plans program and business tax simplification; no votes taken.
Meeting Transcript
For being here, welcome. We are so happy you are here taking the time and engage in City of Bellevue W. Your voice does matter to us, and we are glad to hear from you. City Clerk, are you ready for the roll call? Thank you. Mayor Melakutian? Here. Deputy Mayor Hamilton. Here. Councilmember Barkava. Here. Councilmember Breyer. Here. Councilmember New Enhouse. Here. Councilmember Simidoria. And Councilmember Robinson will be joining us shortly. Thank you so much. Councilmember Bargabov, would you please lead us in the flag? Salute. Yes, of course. Please rise if you can. Thank you. We do have a two proclamation. The first one is Day of Noruz, and Councilmember Breuer would read that. I will invite Dr. Afshin Bidari to sit here from Alf Park group, and after she's done, we will hear your comments. Please come to the table. Thank you, Mayor. NODOS, which in Persian means New Day, is an ancestral festivity based on the solar calendar, marking the first day of spring and symbolizing nature's renewal, celebrated on the vernal equinox and in the northern hemisphere. And whereas NODOs is celebrated as a central secular holiday by more than three million people around the world across a wide uh excuse me across a wide array of ethnic and cultural groups, including but not limited to Avran, Azerbaijani, Baluki, Chechen, Hazara, Kazakh, Kurdish, Kyrgyz, Lezgin, Pashtun, Iranian, Tatar, Tajik, Turkmen, Ur, and Uzbekis people, each bringing unique customs and traditions to this joyful occasion. And whereas Noro is celebrated through centuries-old tradition symbolizes a time of personal renewal and harmony with nature and an opportunity for families and communities to come together. And whereas Nodo excuse me, and whereas Bellevue is home to many who celebrate Nodos and who are valued members of our community, making meaningful contributions to our city's cultural diversity, economy, and civic life, and whereas a holiday that reflects on leaving behind the challenges of the past year while embracing the hope for the future. Thank you, Mayor. Please, Dr. Bidari. Thank you. Good evening, uh Mayor, Council members, and distinguished guests. It's truly an honor to accept this proclamation from the city of Bellevue, recognizing Noruz, the Persian New Year. On behalf of our community, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for this meaningful recognition. At its heart, Noruz is celebration of renewal of nature, of community, and of hope for the year ahead. Reflect on the past year and welcome the new one with optimism and gratitude. This recognition from the city of Bellevue is deeply meaningful. It affirms that the traditions and cultures we carry with us are valued and respected as part of the diverse and vibrant fabric of this community. Proclamations like this reminds us that belongings grows when communities make space for recognizing and celebrate one another traditions. New ruse is also a time that brings people together through cultural gathering, music, poetry, and shared meals. This celebration has invited everyone to experience the universal message of neuros, renewal, kindness, friendship, and peace. On behalf of our community and Alifburg group, thank you to the city of Bellevue for honoring Noros and for supporting the cultural diversity that makes this city such a welcoming place for all. Thank you. Thank you so much.
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