News

Tuesday 5/22, 6:30-8PM

Newport Hills Community Church (5833 119th Ave SE)

6:30-7  NHCC Business

7-8  Guest Speaker: Councilmember Jennifer Robertson

We are pleased to have Councilmember Jennifer Robertson joining us to give an update on what’s happening around Bellevue and to answer any city or neighborhood-specific questions you might have. Councilmember Robertson lives in the Somerset neighborhood and experiences many of the same issues we do here in the south end of Bellevue. Elected in 2009, she is serving her second term on the city council, having served as Deputy Mayor 2012-2013.

Become a party of record (receive updates) or submit a comment: Nicholas Matz, Senior Planner, at nmatz@bellevuewa.gov or 425-452-5371.

On 1/31/18, national developer Toll Brothers filed for a Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPA) & concurrent rezone of 6.4 acres of Neighborhood Business and R-30/Multifamily High zoned land to Neighborhood Mixed Use. The parcels covered under the application include the entire Newport Hills Shopping Center, the Newport Hills Chevron (application filed on behalf of owner Barry Heimbigner, the property is not being sold to Toll), and part of the Newport Hills Townhomes property (pertaining to an easement agreement). Toll Brothers representative Charles Hare stated at multiple meetings  within the neighborhood (NHCC, Lake Heights Community Club, Newport Hills Townhomes Association) that Toll is “comfortable” planning for 130 units of residential living in a mix of townhomes, stacked flats (condos) and regular condos, as well as retail uses. When asked about the fate of existing merchants and the amount of retail Toll plans to include, Mr. Hare indicated Toll would speak with businesses that can pay market rate rent (2-3x current rents paid). He also said  Toll’s retail & commercial real estate experts have indicated only 30-32K sq ft of retail & commercial space is viable at the center (~45-48K sq ft of 60K sq ft of available space is in use currently) if a 14-18K sq ft anchor tenant (such as a specialty grocer or pharmacy) can be signed. When asked what would happen if no anchor tenant were signed, Mr. Hare stated the amount of planned retail would be downsized, possibly as low as 13K sq ft (as indicated at the NH Townhomes meeting on 1/20/18).

Notification (Weekly Permit Bulletin & signage) went out on 1/22/18, though one sign near Chevron blew over immediately & the other is posted in an inconspicuous place on the end of the old Red Apple building. That problem was addressed to the City Council by Heidi Dean on 3/5/18.

The City of Bellevue will take public comment, in written form (mailed letters, emails) and verbal (at Council or Planning Commission meetings), throughout the threshold review process, which should wrap up in mid-late June.

– 2/22/18 Weekly Permit Bulletin announcement (see pg 5):
https://development.bellevuewa.gov/UserFiles/Servers/Server_4779004/File/pdf/Land%20Use/2-22-18-Weekly-Permit-Bulletin.pdf

– CPA & rezone application: https://planning.bellevuewa.gov/UserFiles/Servers/Server_4779004/File/pdf/PCD/CPA/2018%2018-103965%20AC%20Newport%20Hills%20Shopping%20Center%20Redevelopment%20application.pdf

-Annual CPA process overview & 2018 review schedule: https://planning.bellevuewa.gov/UserFiles/Servers/Server_4779004/File/pdf/PCD/CPA/2018%20CPA%20review%20scheduleb.pdf

– Newport Hills Neighborhood Area Plan (formerly known as “subarea plan”), written in 1994. The City of Bellevue has plans to start the Neighborhood Area Plans (NAP) update process later this year but Newport Hills may not be the first in line to update their NAP:
https://planning.bellevuewa.gov/UserFiles/Servers/Server_4779004/File/pdf/PCD/CompPlan_Vol_2_SP08.NewportHills.pdf

– City of Bellevue Comprehensive Plan, updated in 2015. Elements referenced in the application include Land Use, Neighborhoods, Housing, Economic Development:
https://planning.bellevuewa.gov/planning/comprehensive-plan/

– Growth Management Act of 1990 (referenced in application):
http://mrsc.org/Home/Explore-Topics/Planning/General-Planning-and-Growth-Management/Comprehensive-Planning-Growth-Management.aspx

– Countywide Planning Policies (referenced in application):
https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/depts/executive/performance-strategy-budget/regional-planning/CPPs/2012-CPPsAmended062516withMaps.ashx?la=en

Newport Hills Swim & Tennis Club banquet room (5464 119th Ave SE, upper parking lot)

Refreshmenst/social time 6:30-7, Business mtg/Election 7-7:20, Speaker 7:20-8:30

FEATURED SPEAKER: Charles Hare, Senior Land Entitlement Manager, Toll Brothers

Charles will address the neighborhood re: the current state of the purchase agreement between Rainier NW- University LLC (shopping center owners) and Toll Brothers. Please bring any questions you have and he will attempt to answer them as best he can at this point.

ANNUAL ELECTION: Slate of candidates below; nominations will be accepted from the floor as well. Please consider joining our fun & energetic board. We have lots of areas that need representation. Each household that is current on the annual $10 dues may cast a vote. Dues accepted at the door.

** It is not required to be current on dues to attend the meeting, only to vote

2018 Slate of Candidates

Officers
President- Heidi Dean
Vice President- Barbra Chevalier
Secretary- Sarah Roubinet
Treasurer- Claudia Marcu

Trustees
Area 2- Karen Yellman
Area 5- Ann Brashear
Area 6- Alice & Steve Kunkel
Area 15- David Underbrink
Area 18- Claudia Marcu
Area 19- Sarah Roubinet
Area 21- Diana Wadley
Area 22- Riley O’Brien-Wolff

TRUSTEES NEEDED: Areas 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 20, 23, 24, 25

Areas map: https://www.newporthillscommunityclub.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/nhccboundaries.jpg

** Please note: The NHCC boundaries map is being updated. Area 25 is no longer Lake Heights but is rather a combination of Areas 27 & 28 along Lk WA Blvd (excluding the Kimberlee Park neighborhood). Lake Heights has its own community club.

   

We’re looking for community-minded people to join the 2017-2018 Board of Directors. Each year the BoD decides the direction the club will take, the budget, which events to support, acts as an advocate/”voice” for the neighborhood, and coordinates efforts to increase membership & engagement.

Do you have a few hours a month to give to our 58 year old volunteer neighborhood group? We’d love to talk to you! All are welcome: established and new residents; homeowners & renters; those whose first language is other than English. Nominations for BoD will be accepted starting in September, with the election at the October General Membership meeting.

Reply here, message us on Facebook or email us at webmaster@newporthillscommunityclub.org

Have you seen the “vote for” signs all over town but you haven’t done much checking into the candidates yet? Here’s your opportunity to hear from them personally!

Join us for an evening of moderated debate between candidates for:

-Bellevue School Board
-Valley Hospital District #1
-Bellevue City Council
** candidates in contested races only due to time limitations

Moderated by Michelle Hilhorst, 2010 NHCC President/Merchant Liaison/Santa Tour Chair and former Bellevue Planning Commisioner/Chair

Please consider bringing a donation of non-perishable food items to help the NH Community Church stock their food pantry serving neighbors in need and to thank them for their hospitality in allowing use of the church for this event.

Event schedule:
5:30 pm: Doors open to the public and candidates (informational tables in foyer)
6:00 pm: Candidates Forum begins
Order of races: Bellevue School District, Valley Hospital District #1, Bellevue City Council
8:00 pm: Candidates Forum concludes
8:30 pm: Doors closed and facility locked up