Also, parking code adopted in Old Bellevue and joining Regional Green Business Program

On Monday the City Council approved the installation of replacement turf at Robinswood Park, the most heavily used sports fields in the city. Over a thousand scheduled soccer, lacrosse and football practices and games are held at the venue each year. The installation will start in early 2016 and take two months to complete.

The two synthetic fields were installed eight years ago. Despite performing well, the turf is reaching the end of its useful life. Manufacturer FieldTurf, who offered to do the project at a discounted price, will replace each field sequentially to minimize disruption. Both soccer and lacrosse lines will be included on the new fields.

Council approves fix for Old Bellevue Parking

Also on Monday, the council voted in favor of a land use code amendment that clarifies parking requirements applicable in downtown’s Old Bellevue. The amendment clarifies application of an existing 1,500 square-foot parking exemption allowed for uses in buildings constructed prior to 1998, and expands the exemption to three additional buildings (Main Place Apartments, One Main and Borgata) that were mistakenly granted the exemption between 1998 and 2006.

During the discussion leading up to the vote, councilmembers voiced their concerns about fairness and how to explore future ways to create parking that supports businesses in the area. The deficit of 24 stalls caused by the exemption will be offset by 29 on-street parking stalls recently constructed by the city.

Regional Green Business Program

Earlier in the night, the council formally agreed to join the Envirostars Regional Green Business Program. The program is a partnership of local governments and utilities with the central goal of creating an easy way for local businesses to connect with services and programs to reduce their environmental impact. The city received positive feedback from a similar outreach effort in 2012. The three-year commitment includes common metrics for the city to monitor progress and provide feedback.