The Bellevue Voice #5: Middle Housing Update: Some wins, some concerns
On Tuesday night, the Bellevue City Council took formal votes to shape the draft ordinance on middle housing. These votes will determine what the final law will look like when it’s brought forward later this month.
The result? A mixed bag. There were some welcome changes, yet some ongoing concerns remain unanswered. Here’s what you should know:
The Good:
- The upzoning radius around major transit stops was reduced from 1/2 mile to 1/4 mile
- The maximum building height was lowered, meaning 4-story housing should no longer be allowed
The Bad:
- The Council kept the Planning Commission’s recommendation to allow upzoning within 1/4 mile of Regional and Countywide Growth Centers
- The Council also accepted reduced parking requirements, which could add pressure to neighborhood streets.
Attached Accessory Dwelling Units (AADUs) will not count toward the maximum housing unit total, which could allow two additional units per lot.
It’s worth noting that three members, including the recently appointed Councilmember, Vishal Bhargava, voted as a block in support of the most aggressive options recommended by the Planning Commission, recommendations that would forever change Bellevue’s single-family neighborhoods.
Although the outcome wasn’t perfect, we want to thank every resident who took the time to contact the Council or attend the meeting. Your voice truly matters.
We’ll continue to monitor developments and share updates before the final ordinance is brought forward for a vote.