Bellevue Planning Commission reviews Bel-Red "Look Forward" land‑use code amendments

Bellevue Planning Commission members received an informational briefing Wednesday on the Bel‑Red Look Forward land‑use code amendment (LUCA), a staff effort to implement policies and map changes adopted last year in the Bel‑Red Subarea Plan.

City planners said the LUCA will create new and revised land‑use districts, raise allowable floor‑area ratios (FAR) and heights near light‑rail stations, revisit local street‑grid requirements for flexibility, and add code tools to support artist space, stream restoration opportunities and transfer‑of‑development‑rights arrangements with King County.

Christina Gallant, the city’s code and policy planning manager, opened the briefing and Josh Steiner, senior planner in Development Services, walked commissioners through the scope and schedule. Steiner said the LUCA is “an opportunity to recognize Bel‑Red as an area of transformation from an industrial area to more of a…