The Bellevue Planning Commission began its foray into the neighborhoods Nov. 16. Following up with the timely discussion of affordable housing in the Lake Hills area, the commission met at Bellevue College instead of City Hall.

Comments by developers, college staff and students, and neighbors addressed the proposals from the Eastgate Comprehensive Plan, reviewing the needs for multi family housing in the Eastgate area. Steve Fricke gave an impassioned overview of the Spiritwood community’s recent experience with zoning violations that are unenforceable except by neighbor complaints. He emphasized the issue with the current emergency zoning is not the owners or tenants, but the basic policy that needs to be carefully examined and rewritten.

The meeting was well attended and the well organized. The commissioners seem to be dedicated, knowledgeable, and responsive. I hope other neighborhoods take advantage of the Planning Commission coming to them in the months ahead.

Betsi Hummer, Bellevue