The Bellevue City Council recently approved an amendment to retain existing stepback requirements along Main Street in Old Bellevue. Stepbacks require upper floors of buildings to be set back from the street, helping maintain a pedestrian-friendly streetscape and the character of the neighborhood.
The amendment passed with Dave Hamilton and Jared Nieuwenhuis voting against it. Councilmembers noted that the stepback standards are critical for preserving the walkable feel of Old Bellevue while still allowing new development to occur.
Background: Temporary Development Controls
This decision builds on a temporary ordinance approved in February that placed development restrictions on a section of Main Street in Old Bellevue. The ordinance, passed on Feb. 10 in a 4-3 vote, established an Interim Official Control (IOC) for properties between 100th Avenue NE and Bellevue Way.
Under the IOC, any new development must be compatible with adjacent properties and reflect the neighborhood’s established design characteristics. Property owners seeking to demolish facades more than 50 years old must demonstrate that the building has no historic or cultural value…