Planning Commission previews HOMA code changes, debates mandatory set‑aside vs. incentives; asks staff for more analysis and schedules public hearing in fall

City planners presented a draft of the Housing Opportunities in Mixed‑Use Areas land‑use code amendment (HOMA, also referred to as Houma) to the Bellevue Planning Commission on May 14, and commissioners debated whether to pursue a mandatory affordable‑housing set‑aside or an incentives‑based approach.

Nick Whipple, code and policy assistant director, and Matthew Menard, senior planner, told the commission HOMA would apply to most of Bellevue’s mixed‑use areas (excluding Wilburton, Bel‑Red and recently updated East Main). Staff said the amendment aims to remove zoning impediments to housing, align standards with the adopted comprehensive plan, and create an affordable‑housing program modeled on recent LUCA work.

The staff presentation outlined two options: Option A (mandatory) would require a 10% affordable set‑aside at 80% of area median income (AMI), with FAR and height incentives and a fee‑in‑lieu option; Option B (voluntary) would provide an…