Action places Bel-Red corridor one step closer to high-density mixed-use zoning

The city of Bellevue is closer to converting portions of an urban corridor into green space with Monday’s transfer by the Metropolitan King County Council of the development rights in priority rural and resource areas in what’s known as the Bel-Red Subarea. The agreement will help Bellevue create parks and open space as the Bel-Red corridor transitions to a high-density area of the city.

“This project helps the city of Bellevue maximize redevelopment of the Bel-Red corridor while preserving the beautiful open space this region enjoys,” said County Council Vice Chair Jane Hague, prime sponsor of the ordinance. “With this agreement, the county has shown that we are willing and eager to partner with the people of Bellevue to help them with this important smart-growth project.”

Hague’s district includes part of Bellevue.

“By using the market to transfer development pressure away from rural and resource lands, we can preserve farms and forests while encouraging the redevelopment of our cities,” said Council Chair Dow Constantine. “The city of Bellevue’s plan to create vibrant urban communities in the Bel-Red Road corridor is an economically smart and environmentally responsible approach to growth and deserves King County’s support.”

“The Bel-Red corridor is an exciting example of how tools like the Transfer of Development Rights program and investment in transit can help a city realize a smart vision for sustainable growth,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips. “This is really a win-win for preserving open space in our rural area and creating an attractive new neighborhood and job center in our urban core.”

In May, Bellevue adopted a plan for the redevelopment of the Bel-Red corridor, which included the use of the area transferred to the City by King County on Monday.

In exchange for the city’s agreement to accept the Transfer of Development Rights agreement to increase density in the Bel-Red corridor, the county has agreed to pay $750,000, which Bellevue will combine with other funds to purchase a $1.9 million parcel within the corridor. The property is currently covered by a parking lot, but will be returned to open space with the long-term goal of stream restoration.

The Bel-Red Subarea covers most of the area between Highway 520 and Bel-Red Road, Interstate 405 and 148th Avenue Northeast.