Staff briefs council on R22 consolidated land‑use proposal: up to 800 units at Microsoft Building 22 site

City planning staff briefed the Planning & Public Works Committee on Feb. 3 about the R22 consolidated land‑use application, a quasi‑judicial proposal that would vest a master plan, development agreement, binding site plan and two site entitlements at 30501 52nd Avenue NE (referred to as Microsoft Building 22). Staff said the proposal could allow up to eight‑story mixed‑use buildings, up to 800 residential units across the site and up to 8,000 square feet of ground‑floor commercial space.

Staff emphasized the item is quasi‑judicial and asked councilmembers to disclose any communications outside the meeting consistent with the required process. The project is across the street from the Overlake Village Light Rail Station and north of the Overlake Commons project. Staff scheduled a study‑session return for Feb. 24 and indicated a public hearing and potential council action could occur on March 17.

Council President Stewart noted that the project appears to be among the first to use Overlake incentives in Redmond 2050, with more than 100 units potentially targeted at roughly 50% of area median income. Council members asked about incentives, exceptions, administrative design flexibility and whether pending state legislation would affect ground‑floor retail; staff said a development agreement would vest prior to a pending bill’s effective changes.

Next step: staff will return Feb. 24 for a study session and accept written questions submitted by Feb. 10 for study‑session responses.