Final preregistered talking about how a lot of planning work is taking too long. Says there's so much work to be done, also references how he feels work in the past was completed much more quickly. Says Wilburton work from 4 years ago is already out of date.
Conversation
Asks Council to not adopt the schedule presented in front of them, but rather discuss further details at their upcoming retreat to incorporate creativity and nimbleness to deliver projects more quickly. "Don't ask how we can keep this schedule. Ask how we can beat this schedule."
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Moving onto the timeline of the key planning initiatives over the next couple of years. Staff providing this update to provide the public with more information and certainty on when work will be happening on which projects.
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Staff say they've been working on "process improvements" over the last 18 months to provide people with more predictability and clarity.
The plan presented tonight is just for CM's information, not subject to their formal approval.
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This slide explains why current outreach work on the Comp Plan is important: the plans lead to specific codes that dictate what particular projects can be built.
There's an opportunity for *you* to get involved tomorrow evening! Register here: eventbrite.com/e/bellevue-204
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Staff's LUPI approach has created "an updated, standardized, predictable process where we have defined goals & responsibility... as well as defined outcomes on how we measure our work."
All big initiatives can be fit into a schema of pre-launch, execution, and implementation.
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Before Council provides formal approval to proceed on a project, there's a lot of prelaunch work that's done, including lining up contractors and reviewing the scope of the work. Once Council gives its approval, that's when stakeholder engagement and public process begins.
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The following list of projects have used the LUPI process since its implementation 18 months ago.
Although it provides more stability, I'm personally curious if this rigid process ultimately slows down planning work, or if it speeds it up by making it more standardized.
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The following principles help prioritize which projects should be worked on first in Work Plan. Say the plan is organized around equity and sustainability considerations.
As a speaker noted tonight, key environmental stewardship provisions are still a couple of years away.
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Key to prioritization is utilizing synergies from projects with overlapping scope, such as working on Affordable Housing Strategy implementation in tandem with LUCAs around emergency and supportive housing.
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Re: Grand Connection, staff say there's been private interest in a bridge over I-405 to provide a ped connection along the GC. So the work I mentioned earlier is actually about this bridge, described as a short-term project compared to the long-term vision of a Lid Park.
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BelRed Look-Forward will synergize with Comp Plan work to more quickly deliver map & policy amendments.
Affordable Housing "Next Right Work" is the stakeholder review and ultimate Council direction on what CMs want staff to look at next in implementing affordable housing.
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Staff say that City is close to implementing actions from the 2017 Affordable Housing Strategy, so this would help decide what's next.
It's not hard to have already completed them all when your plan only calls for 2500 affordable units in 10 years.
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Moving to CM comment. CM Robertson wants staff to ensure that calculations are done on how many new housing units BelRed & Wilburton will be able to provide so that city knows how much growth needs to be looked at in other areas.
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Says that tree concerns need to be balanced with housing concerns, also that several neighborhoods are "view communities" where there are certain ordinances around maintaining views. Wants all these to be taken into account as tree code work occurs.
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Staff say that Council will be able to weigh in on framework of tree code updates.
Once Council approves, Wilburton work will begin by examining the 2018 CAC report, which can be found here. bellevuewa.gov/city-governmen
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Staff believe Wilburton and BelRed work is sequenced properly to allow for discussions on how growth in those neighborhoods will affect the need for housing growth in other areas.
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CM Stokes echoes comments from speaker. Wants to make sure the city isn't taking forever on these initiatives. "Part of the reason we've taken so long with things is that Council has taken so long with some things."
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CM Zahn: appreciates tree canopy prework being moved to this year. Is concerned that postponing environmental stewardship work to 2024 is going to make it so that City doesn't meet its 2030 emission reduction targets. Cites availability of grant funding from infrastructure bill.
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Also interested in advancing Grand Connection work, since grants will be available to reconnect communities, which she says is what a Lid Park would do. Retreat will be good opportunity to discuss priorities.
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CM Lee says the plan needs to be nimble and reflect public outreach and engagement. Wants the plan to put more emphasis on technology like 5G and autonomous vehicle workplans.
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CM Lee, whose Somerset home is worth $2.5 million, in a city whose rents have gone up over 20% year-over-year and are still the most expensive in the state:
"We do a great job with housing, we're doing very well on housing."
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DM Nieuwenhuis notes that there's an opportunity cost to projects taking so long, is also excited by the prospect of private money helping fund the Lid Park project.
CM Barksdale: wants to make sure that work around small retail spaces and mom & pop shops is also incorporated.
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Wants to know how his ask to incorporate DADUs into the workplan fits into these discussions. That vote had some controversy last November.
Says that DADU discussions fit into framework for equity & sustainability.
Quote Tweet
CM Robertson bringing forward a point of order that this wasn't on the agenda, not necessarily expressing support one way or another. Says trying to give Council direction at the end of a long discussion is "really poor form. Everyone would be really angry if I did that."
Show this thread
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Staff: mom & pop work can be looked at in a lot of initiatives, including Wilburton & BelRed. DADU work could be incorporated as part of Affordable Housing Right Next Work.
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Mayor Robinson: says good Comp Plan work will help out all other projects. Supports public outreach around the tree code process. Wants to know where Eastgate fits in, as it could be another growth area. Also curious what it takes to advance environmental goals more quickly.
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Staff say capacity is a barrier, but trying to address this by hiring consultants to help with work. Says that advancing sustainability through other initiatives will also be important. Says projects in transpo & utilities are also helping advance environmental stewardship.
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Re: Eastgate, code work was about 3-4 years ago now and little development has occurred, but this has signs of changing in the next few years.
The Council retreat late next week will also be a good time to discuss this work and the Council priorities.
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Now moving onto the staff request to approve 12 new Development Services FTE positions, all of which will be paid for by development fees.
Between BelRed & Downtown, over 50 major development projects are being worked on right now.
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You can look at projects that are currently being worked on in Bellevue via the following link. Over 16,000 permits were issued in 2021. Projects that year amounted to over $1B in construction value. buildingbellevue.bellevuewa.gov
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Staff note that higher development caseload, combined with more complex projects, longer times to hire staff, and new hires not having as much experience as what's needed to immediately jump into complex projects, is creating challenges.
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Majority of requested staff would be inspectors. Staff say there would be significant impact to experience of customers if the positions, which would be funded exclusively through development fees, were not to be approved. These positions would add 10-20% capacity to these teams.
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DM Nieuwenhuis wants more info on if 12 positions are enough for the next 4-5 years and if that position split is right for what they need. Staff believe their process in coming up w/ these numbers is "quite reliable." This is meant to address immediate need.
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CM Zahn: wants to know what FTE need will look like over next couple of years. Says it would be helpful to have a sustainability position within the department to support its work. Staff say that incorporating sustainability would require support from the City's General Fund.
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CM Lee, again citing the importance of technology, is asking if further investments in technology are needed to help streamline the process. Also echoes desire from other CMs to understand what anticipated future need is.
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Staff say they're looking to the next budgeting process for funding for any additional staffing or technology investments that are needed.
CM Stokes wants further discussions on what incorporating sustainability into everything the city does could look like.
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CM Robertson asks why these positions are FTEs and not LTEs (Limited Term Employment). Staff say recruiting for LTE positions has not been as successful. Would be interested in adding a code drafter position in the future. Staff say that would have to be funded from General Fund.
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Supports incorporating anticipated staffing needs into budget discussions later this year.
Mayor Robinson: appreciates the positions being fee-supported and lauds staff for the virtual permit portal.
Motion passes unanimously, the 12 FTE positions are approved.
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Final agenda item is on the Council meeting format and allowing CMs and commissioners to still participate remotely even after work returns in-person.
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This predates my time of live-tweeting Council meetings, but before COVID, Council had 3 different meeting structures on different days of the month.
Since COVID, Council's used the same meeting format for each meeting, allowing study session discussions to occur at all meetings
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