St. Luke’s Lutheran Church’s plan to construct an affordable housing complex on its Bellevue Way property has the go-ahead from the planning commission, its last hurdle being the city council.

The church and nonprofit Imagine Housing partnered a year ago to develop a plan for providing 50-58 affordable housing units at the church, which is currently zoned for single-family residences.

It will take an amendment to Bellevue’s comprehensive plan and a rezoning of the St. Luke’s property for multifamily residences for the project to proceed. The city council in late April directed staff to expedite the process to meet this year’s goal of updating Bellevue’s comp plan.

The planning commission approved the amendment and rezoning request on May 13, after several project stakeholders spoke to resident concerns about increased traffic in the neighborhood. The city council will now consider allowing the project to proceed on Monday, June 13, with a final decision expected in July.

Commission vice chairwoman Michelle Hilhorst said Imagine Housing explained how its recently constructed affordable housing complex at the south Kirkland park and ride led to a number of residents parting with their vehicles.

“A lot of the people that they’re targeting that would need this level of affordable housing, a car is a big expense,” she said, adding St. Luke’s is close to a number of bus lines.”