Planning Commission holds public hearing on Wilburton Vision land‑use code changes; debate centers on affordable‑housing rules and access corridors

The Bellevue Planning Commission opened a public hearing on Feb. 26 on a land‑use code amendment intended to implement the Wilburton Vision, with staff asking commissioners either to make a recommendation or to schedule a follow‑up meeting for final action.

The amendment, staff said, would create new land‑use districts aligned with the Wilburton Comprehensive Plan amendment and establish base and maximum height and floor‑area‑ratio (FAR) rules, an amenity incentive system and options for affordable housing. “The direction we are seeking tonight is to have the commission hold the public hearing on the proposed LUCA,” Development Services Assistant Director Nick Whipple told commissioners.

Why it matters: Wilburton is a planned transit‑oriented neighborhood; the LUCA would reshape allowable density, height and public‑realm requirements on roughly 300 acres and is intended to enable housing, jobs and public‑space objectives adopted in the July 2024 comprehensive plan amendment. Public testimony and stakeholder letters focused on whether the code’s affordability approach, parking and the proposed network of “access corridors” will make new development feasible while preserving neighborhood and business needs.

Staff presentation and options Staff said the draft establishes four mixed‑use districts ranging from mid‑rise to high‑rise, tighter block‑size rules to support walkability, a 10% open‑space baseline with options for podium and rooftop plazas, and an amenity incentive system that would be required to exceed base FAR. Two implementation options were presented.

- Option A (staff recommendation): a mandatory…