We have received the following message from a Bellevue resident and would like to get your attention and support.
Passage of House Bill (HB) 1220 in 2021 requires that all WA cities must now allow Permanent Supportive Housing and Transient Housing for homeless individuals in all residential districts and hotel/motel districts. Emergency shelters and emergency housing must now be allowed in all hotel/motel districts. Cities do not have a choice, they must comply. However, the legislature did leave some room for cities to decide if they wish to insert some mitigations as they amend their land use code. That is what the city council will discuss tonight.
Bellevue residents have asked for reasonable & fair mitigations, the same mitigations that were ultimately built into the land use code for emergency shelters in 2018 (for permitting of the CFH low-barrier men’s shelter in Eastgate). Unfortunately, the city staff recommended against inclusion of mitigations, arguing that it would slow down or prevent permitting of PSH/TH projects in neighborhoods. Some Planning Commissioners asked good questions, but ultimately they were outvoted by commissioners who preferred to “rubberstamp” the staff’s recommendation. That recommendation is now before the city council.
Councilmember Jennifer Robertson proposed amendments based upon the mitigations used by City of Redmond… the same mitigations Bellevue used previously for the CFH shelter. The council has been inundated by emails from homeless service providers and members of the 41st LD Democrats FB discussion group, many of which do NOT live in Bellevue. Those folks are advocating for NO MITIGATIONS, alleging that anyone who wants them are “NIMBY” (Not In My Backyard) types. The council needs to hear from YOU- people who live in Bellevue’s neighborhoods. We were bullied and drowned out by the Church Council of Greater Seattle during the meetings and public hearings for the CFH shelter in 2017/2018 and it’s happening again.
If you feel compelled to support Councilmember Robertson’s proposed amendments please send a short email stating such to the city council today:
council@bellevuewa.gov
If you feel compelled to attend tonight’s council meeting to show support for the amendment and for those giving public comment in support of the amendments (wave hands in air, no clapping), please come to City Hall (450 110th Ave NE) and find your seat in council chambers by 6PM.
If you wish to view the documents pertaining to tonight’s discussion on the PSH/TH LUCA please click here:
City of Bellevue – File #: 22-493 (legistar.com)