Bellevue Council Approves 2024-2044 Housing and Development Plan

During a recent City Council meeting on October 29, following a presentation by city staff, the council voted unanimously to approve Bellevue’s 2024-2044 Comprehensive Plan periodic update.
This is the first major update since 2015 and will guide the city’s growth and development for the next two decades.

The plan outlines a growth strategy, aiming to accommodate 35,000 additional housing units and 70,000 new jobs by 2044. Development will focus on transit-oriented areas, especially in Wilburton and BelRed, as well as mixed-use centers across the city.

“This is a tremendous accomplishment,” stated Mayor Lynne Robinson. “From emphasizing transit-oriented communities to centering equity and advancing housing affordability, it’s an exciting time for Bellevue. Our city’s goal is to create an equitable opportunity for a high quality of life for all our residents. And this comprehensive update allows us to plan for that future.”

The updated plan also incorporates climate-focused initiatives designed to meet new state regulations. It addresses various transportation and land use codes, with a focus on their impact on climate change.

“The Comprehensive Plan update is the culmination of years of effort and partnership between city staff and leaders and members of the community,” said Brady Nordstrom, associate director of government relations and policy at the Housing Development Consortium. “This visionary plan boldly increases Bellevue’s capacity for housing and will make the city more accessible and affordable to the people who live, work and play here.”

“The emphasis on mixed-use, transit-oriented development leverages the generational investments in light rail and other multimodal transportation,” Nordstrom continued. “This plan, combined with investments in code, programs, and new revenue tools for affordable housing, will also support homeownership and anti-displacement while beginning to identify and undo past inequities in housing.”

Following more than two and a half years of outreach, development, and environmental review, the plan is now final.

The Comprehensive Plan received a Vision 2050 Award from the Puget Sound Regional Council for its community engagement efforts under the title “Bellevue 2044 – Building a Livable City for All.”