PLUSH Committee discuss Wilburton project, code amendments aplenty

At the Bellevue Chamber’s April 23 PLUSH (Permitting, Land Use, Sustainability, and Housing) Committee meeting …

• The Wilburton Property Owners Group, which meets regularly with City of Bellevue planning staff, gave an update regarding their efforts on the City’s Comprehensive Plan, the Wilburton Vision Implementation, and the Future Land Use Map. Issues such as transportation infrastructure remain a top concern, and representatives said they are working closely with city officials to integrate stakeholders in the Wilburton code amendment process. 
  
  
• The Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) also joined to discuss updates to the City’s tree ordinance. The Bellevue Planning Commission held a public hearing on April 24 regarding this Land Use Code Amendment (LUCA), which aims to “update tree preservation, retention, and protection provisions to better support citywide tree canopy goals.” Brian Holtzclaw, general counsel for MBAKS, specifically called for greater design flexibility and clearer language to prevent inhibiting density and ensure compliance with other requirements.
  
  
• In preparation for the April 23 City Council meeting, PLUSH members reviewed two letters, both to Mayor Robinson and the Council. The first was written on behalf of the Bellevue Chamber, NAIOP, and the Associated General Contractors of Washington, and discussed the City’s proposed noise ordinance changes. (Read the letter here.)
  
  
• The other letter sent to Council came directly from the Chamber’s Joe Fain and Jodie Alberts, and touched on the Interim Ordinance Control (“IOC”) related to additional density, modification of development regulations, and affordable housing in downtown. (Read that letter here.)

Interested in PLUSH? Learn more about our efforts and members here.