Bellevue Planning Commission recommends Newport Neighborhood Area Plan to City Council after public hearing and policy edits

The Bellevue Planning Commission voted Wednesday to recommend adoption of the Newport Neighborhood Area Plan and to amend the Factoria subarea map so the portion west of I-405 becomes part of Newport, following a public hearing attended by residents, business owners and neighborhood leaders.

The vote followed staff presentations from the Community Development Department and nearly two hours of public testimony that focused on the future of the Newport Hills commercial district, housing pressure and outreach concerns. Community Development planning manager Kate Nessie told the commission the update aligns the 1994 plan with the citywide Comprehensive Plan and reflects changes in the neighborhood since adoption.

Why it matters: The neighborhood plan sets land-use goals and policy guidance that will be used by staff and future applicants when projects are proposed in Newport. Several commenters said the plan as drafted did not adequately recognize the Newport Hills Shopping Center as a community hub or protect small businesses during redevelopment; commissioners adopted a set of targeted wording changes before forwarding the plan to City Council.

Kate Nessie, Community Development planning manager, summarized the draft and the outreach process and said the proposal is intended to "conduct a final review public hearing for the 2025 comprehensive plan amendments for the Newport…