However, the things that have been started are often easy wins, and the "ongoings" don't actually represent any change in city policy as a result of this plan, but rather a continuation of previous timelines.
Status quo will not help us avert climate crisis.
Conversation
(Calling the use of Mobility Levy funds, which have been collected for the past five years, an "acceleration" of the bike/ped plan feels a tad disingenuous).
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Want to be clear that the issue (mostly) isn't on staff - it's on Council to set the implementation of the ESP as a priority - through more manhours, new staff positions, & more $$$.
The incumbent conservative CMs will not do this - no matter how green they bill themselves.
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That's all to say: are you in Bellevue and haven't volunteered for Ruth & Dexter?
The future of affordable housing, transportation, and environmental stewardship in your city is at stake - we need all hands on deck. electborbe.com/volunteer
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Can't volunteer? Then *please* tell your friends, family, neighbors & coworkers to vote.
Don't live in Bellevue? Tell your Bellevue friends to vote. It really is *so* important, because right now is the time when we can get a progressive majority.
ruthforbellevue.org/volunteer
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Mayor offers condolences for the passing of former Secretary of State Colin Powell at the request of multiple Councilmembers before the meeting moves into public testimony. Eight speakers this evening.
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First speaker is a representative for Splash Forward, who is commenting on the next steps for a new aquatic center (another thing being discussed at night). Supports the site recommendation of Bellevue Airfield Park.
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Next speaker has commented in the past about the ARCH program and hate crimes. Has concerns about the judges that have been voted in in local courts. Also says that the bridge moratorium is not enough, urges the Council to do more. "Beds are still full from COVID-19."
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Third speaker, who normally comments on environmental issues, through PCA, is commenting on the aquatic center tonight, whose proposed site is adjacent to his property. Says Bellevue already has significant aquatic facilities.
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Developer representative justifying a previous ask of greater FAR for nonresidential developments in the East Main area, also wants more amenity options in the Tier 1 category. More information on public amenities & tiers here.
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Public amenities are "tiered" - so if a project wants to go over base FAR and thus needs to provide public amenities, 75% of the amenities need to be from the first tier, and the remaining 25% will be from the second tier.
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"We need to recognize that this is an isolated site... It's harder for retailers to survive. Therefore retail parking will be of utmost importance."
Dude. You understand these rezone discussions are happening because *light rail* is coming in 1.5 years, right??
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Next speaker echoes support for Splash Forward's testimony & goals. Talking about the importance of community pools & how private membership pools are inaccessible to poor families. "We need an inclusive & safe space for community members to come together & create connections."
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Bellevue Club representative echoes the previous Wig Properties testimony asking for limiting the restrictions on small block sizes.
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Middle School student who's passionate about sustainability appreciates Council's previous actions on climate. Supports fully funding the implementation of the plan, using both current & new staff if necessary.
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Cofounder of 300 Trees commends the tree giveaway that the organization partnered w/ the City. City environmental staff went above and beyond to help facilitate the program. He also advocates for stronger tree protection codes. Org will provide "State of the Trees" report by EOY.
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Another Splash Forward rep supports the new proposed site for aquatic center. As a water polo coach, "There's not much access right now." Lot of the facilities are apparently outside. Org works to reduce barriers for BIPOC swimmers, and Lake Hills is most diverse neighborhood.
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There was 1 more person who wanted to speak, but since Bellevue *also* puts a hard limit of 30 minutes on oral communications (in addition to maximum 3 people/one side of an issue), we won't be able to hear them. They'll have to write in w/ their comments.
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5 speakers in support of the East Main LUCA, 2 speakers in opposition - Bellevue Council rules only allow a maximum of 3 speakers on any one side of a topic during Oral Communications, so 2 of the support people will not be allowed to speak.
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Moving onto staff's presentation on mid-biennium (mid-bi) calendar.
Things will move quickly & discussions will be more limited than normal budget discussions. Fewer steps are required as well.
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Mid-bi budget adjustments are historically a time to address inflation, but CM Zahn notes this mid-bi process will be different b/c of COVID-19. Perhaps better revenue projections than what was forecasted last year.
Staff: updated revenue & expenditure forecasts come on Nov 8.
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Moving on to the ESP quarterly update.
Staff: 60% of the actions have been started or are on-going in year one.
Again though, that number is misleading since it's based on how staff categorizes something as being "started."
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Again, not to diminish staff's work, but a substantial part of Bellevue's actions seem to be for complying w/ state law rather than actually leading on climate action.
Praising where we're at (as conservative CMs will do in 2 minutes) instead of wanting more isn't good enough.
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DM Nieuwenhuis, who didn't show up for the recent environmental forum, asking how the environmental focus group he spearheaded is going.
I've personally heard disappointment from advocates, who believe it's more policy & process for a city that needs actions instead.
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Staff says there's been one meeting with the larger engagement group & one is planned for the future. Other stakeholder meetings have been held as well.
Yes, engagement is important - but action matters more. What's the plan to actually enact what we need to do to reduce CO2?
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CM Stokes is interested in scaling up implementation, which he acknowledges will take more staffing. Wonders if there's more details about implementation available, since just the % of actions that have been started isn't a comprehensive metric. Staff says that info's available.
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CM Lee participated in the tree giveaway program this past weekend. He wants the city to focus on engagement, improving coordination w/ other city departments, and improving partnerships with PSE & other organizations.
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CM Zahn also helped w/ tree giveaway & has repeatedly called for more ESP implementation funding, since the current sustainability department is "small but mighty." Advocates for the importance of environmental equity & again scaling up implementation of the program.
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Also (rightly) notes that certain actions will drive down CO2 more than others, so "when we talk about the 77 actions and the 31 that haven't begun yet, which ones are the most important one to in terms of driving down our GHG emissions?" Wants to start with those soon.
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CM Barksdale agrees in the importance of "helping [staff's] team scale in order to make more progress." Would like to be able to commit to one major action per area per year. Supports flagging which actions are more impactful in reducing CO2 emissions in these updates.
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After a lengthy break, onto the East Main LUCA discussion. Updated timeline on the LUCA discussions below. Looks like not much has changed other than the addition of the session this evening.
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Study session schedule has been lightly modified by staff, but overall timeline is still seeing final adoption of the LUCA terms by year's end.
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Current map of expected ped/bike facilities on site. SE 4th, which doesn't currently exist, would be a low traffic street with ped facilities "& bike facilities if developer chooses." Other connections are possible but would be up to developer to meet block length requirements.
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Stakeholder request, which staff supports, would see only ped facilities at SE 4th St - grade changes would be difficult & there are other facilities present, according to staff. Also note that it's likely developers will provide other connections elsewhere.
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Looks like staff have made minor amendments to Option B in response to CM & stakeholder testimony, mainly around the amenities. Summary of the different proposals below.
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At the last meeting, conservative CMs wanted to increase the base non-residential FAR for the site to 3.5 from 2.5, in line with the developer's request. However, that would reduce the amount of potential public benefit available. Staff detailing that now.
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Compare the potential public benefits available if the base nonresidential FAR were increased to 3.5.
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Staff took CM & stakeholder feedback to heart and expanded the proposed amenity options. Included CM Barksdale's ask to support more mom & pop shops in East Main as a "special amenity," placed in Tier 2.
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CM Zahn appreciates staff balancing stakeholder asks w/ city's needs. Asks about some concerns on fee in lieu that were raised by the Eastside Housing Roundtable. Staff notes they didn't have time to process the group's concerns b/c they were submitted right before the meeting.
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DM Nieuwenhuis expresses concerns at the capping of bonusable area for childcare facilities at 10,000 sq ft. Staff notes that larger facilities can be built, but only 10,000 sq ft will apply to bonuses for public amenities. DM suggests raising that to 15,000 sq ft.
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DM is still supportive of 3.5 nonresidential FAR & wants to move more things into Tier One priorities. Staff have noted that adding additional amenities to Tier One dilutes the pool and might reduce the amount of other priority amenities that end up getting provided.
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In response to CM Barksdale's question, staff notes that, at 2.5 base FAR, 80% of the necessary public benefit can be provided by creating 4 potential streets (necessary anyway for block size standards) and 40,000 sq ft of open space (necessary for a 10% open space requirement).
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CM Robertson agrees with DM Nieuwenhuis in adding additional amenities to Tier 1. Also supports 3.5 base FAR, even though staff just provided a presentation on why that's not ideal. Neither CM supporting 3.5 has provided justifications for why their minds have not been changed.
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