We have chosen to live in Bellevue because it provides the perfect balance between economic vibrancy and great neighborhoods. As Bellevue and the region grow, our neighborhoods are threatened by deep-pocket developers. We need a buffer from development with appropriate density and land use to protect our quality of life. Without careful management, we will experience ever increasing traffic congestion, loss of flora and fauna, over-crowded schools and open up our single family neighborhoods to high-density development.

Currently, two deep-pocket developers have submitted applications to amend Bellevue’s long-term comprehensive plan. These applications are seeking development that would introduce densities inappropriate for the neighborhoods the subject sites are located in (scroll down or watch the video for more info). If approved, they would pave the way for developers to make similar requests across every neighborhood in Bellevue.

We need to send a message to Bellevue City Council and the Planning Commission that this type of growth in our neighborhoods is unsustainable and unacceptable. We are supportive of the comprehensive plan that targets growth in specific areas in the city, thus managing density and ensuring there are buffers between the urban and the residential areas to protect the livability of our great neighborhoods.

Sign this petition urging the City to honor its long-term plan and vision to protect our City in a Park. This is your opportunity to express your opposition to the developers’ applications to change Bellevue’s long-term comprehensive plan (Projects #19-104146-AC and #19-104143-AC).  We want to show that residents across Bellevue care about this issue, so please note your neighborhood in the comments section with #yourneighborhoodname.

You can also email the City Planner, Nicholas Matz (nmatz@bellevuewa.gov), to express your concerns and request to become a party of record.

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More information on the pending applications:

The City has a long-term Comprehensive Plan that targets 6 neighborhoods for growth. However, developers are not always working within this strategic Plan and are filing requests that serve primarily their financial interests at the expense of residents. Currently, two deep-pocket developers have submitted applications to amend the Comprehensive Plan. These applications are seeking to introduce densities inappropriate for the neighborhoods the subject sites are located in:

• The Park in Bellevue: 9 acres of medium-density apartments in 17 two-story buildings in NW Bellevue. Request: increase density up to R-110 (i.e. 110 dwellings per acre) and building heights up to 75 feet.

• Bellevue Technology Center (fka the Unigard site): 46 acres governed by a Planned Unit Development that protects the natural elements of this former horse farm and limits development to office space in NE Bellevue. The site is fully built out. Request: remove restrictions which could result in triple the square footage allowed on the site by adding multi-family residential, senior housing, commercial and office development.

If approved, these changes would pave the way for developers to make similar requests across every neighborhood in Bellevue.