Bellevue Council Considers Emergency Rules to Limit Development in Old Bellevue

The Bellevue City Council discussed a proposed emergency ordinance Tuesday night that would temporarily restrict redevelopment along a portion of Main Street in the Old Bellevue neighborhood. The proposed Interim Official Control would apply to properties located between 100th Avenue NE and Bellevue Way.

The ordinance was introduced following recent development activity in the area. Earlier this year, a permit application was submitted for an eight-story apartment building at the intersection of Main Street and 103rd Avenue. The proposed development includes 176 residential units and more than 10,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. Permit filings submitted in February indicate a potential construction start in early 2026.

The proposed development has already vested under current zoning regulations and would not be affected by an interim control. The IOC would instead apply to other properties along Main Street that have not yet begun the permitting process.

The section of Old Bellevue under consideration contains low-rise buildings with street-level commercial spaces and is home to multiple small businesses. None of the buildings within the proposed IOC area are designated as historic landmarks.

An Interim Official Control is a temporary land-use mechanism that allows a city to impose immediate development regulations while permanent policies are developed. According to city staff, the IOC would provide time to evaluate and draft long-term development standards without holding a public hearing during the interim period.

Under current land-use rules, the City of Bellevue cannot require developers to keep existing businesses when they build new projects. Future regulations might set standards for building size or design, but they would not force developers to preserve current tenants.

During the discussion, councilmembers raised questions regarding the use of an emergency ordinance and its potential impact on property owners. References were made to prior council discussions about Old Bellevue held more than a year earlier.

The City Council did not adopt the interim control at the meeting. Instead, councilmembers unanimously agreed to continue the discussion at a future meeting after city staff prepares additional analysis and recommendations.

A decision on whether to implement an Interim Official Control or pursue alternative approaches will be made at that time.