City of Bellevue's Land Use Director and Planner, Elizabeth Stead and Komal Agarwal, have to approve of a Land Use Amendment for Expansion of Auto Sales in Community Business Zone
Save Community Retail from Demolition
in Bellevue Eastgate's Sunset Village by
Billion-Dollar Auto Group, Lithia Motors
What's next and how I can help?
1.
E-Mail Your Strongest Disapproval to Land Use Director
Because auto sales aren't an outright permitted use in Community Business zones, therefore permits are undergoing a Process II approval.City of Bellevue's Land Use Director will need to approve of a Land Use Amendment in order for the project to not proceed.Elizabeth Stead
Komal Agarwal
Land Use Director &
Associate Plannerlandusereview@bellevuewa.gov
estead@bellevuewa.gov
kagarwal@bellevuewa.govReference Permits
23-126844-LI
23-126845-LDWhat to write?
References the reasons above and add your personal story for why the proposed development should be rejected by the City.
2.
Attend Virtual Public Meeting, January 24 @ 6PM
Public Meeting:
January 24, 2024, 6 PM
Join on Microsoft Teams
Meeting Info:
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 213 170 500 310
Passcode: UdBckz
Download Teams | Join on the web
By Telephone
Meeting Info:
Dial in (audio only): 206-452-7011
Phone Conference ID: 395 670 934#
Why does the proposed development of a new dealership by Lithia not serve Bellevue?
Auto Sales Not Permitted Outright in Community Business (CB) Zones
Auto sales aren't outright permitted use in a Community Business Zone. No where else in Bellevue is a Community Business zone dense with Auto Sales as Eastgate.Lithia will need City's approval to expand auto sales beyond the existing Toyota dealership at Sunset Village.By definition, a Community Business zone is meant to be an alternative to retail shopping areas of the downtown.
Walkable Neighborhood Retail
Current shops are walkable and bike-friendly, promote community and family gathering. Given the center is South facing, it is perfect across all seasons!Moreover, in the City of Bellevue's Economic Plan, emphasis is given to retain and recruit a healthy and diverse retail mix, including neighborhood and resident serving businesses throughout the city.Sunset Village, as it exists, is the best representation of this: part auto sales, part auto service, part restaurants/coffee shop, and part other retail.The current design is consistent with the City's transportation strategy, which emphasizes walking, bicycling, and transit, coupled with growth focused in mixed use, transit-rich, walkable neighborhoods.
Preserve Existing Retail
The existing businesses/retail use serves the community. The current use is consistent with Bellevue's goal to create neighborhood retail that's walkable to and easy to access. It is an important retail center on a heavily-trafficked (by all modes of transportation) N-S corridor (148th/150th) for North/South Bellevue residents.City of Bellevue's Economic Plan defines one of its goals as: Encourage the preservation of existing spaces and the creation of new spaces that are
suitable for independent retail, neighborhood services, restaurant, and beverage
establishments.
City's Climate Goals
By getting rid of a retail center that's walkable for neighborhoods North and South of I-90, the project is incompatible with the City of Bellevue's climate goals and desire to reduce reliance on cars.It runs contrary to Bellevue's long-range planning framework and Bellevue's anticipated growth.The retail shops help Bellevue residents access their day-to-day needs close to home, which could help reduce the city’s vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and greenhouse gas emissions.
Land Use Policy
Bellevue' Land Use Element Policy LU-7, states "Maintain the City's present philosophy of exclusive zoning districts to retain land availability for specific commercial uses which are important to the community." By definition, a Community Business zone is meant to be an alternative to retail shopping areas of the downtown.Auto sales do not fit this definition of "alternative retail" outside of the downtown core.
Bellevue Environmental Stewardship Initiative
This center has businesses that result in fewer and shorter car trips take, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions and a host of other pollutants – supporting the Bellevue Environmental Stewardship Initiative goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Local Gathering Place
Getting rid of virtually all retail at Sunset Village fundamentally changes the design that has been approved by prior permits. A report commissioned in March 1999, "Neighborhood Shopping Center Summit", by the City of Bellevue, Planning & Community Development Department, highlights this center as a local gathering place due to the presence of the transit stop/I-90 connection and the older restaurants which serve as a magnet to draw customers to the shopping center.
Proximity to
Eastgate Park & Ride & Transit Stops
The center is within a walking distance of Eastgate Park & Ride and sits adjacent to two transit stops. Keeping this center retail-focused is consistent with Bellevue City Council Vision Priorities as outlined in Bellevue: Great Places Where You Want to Be.In this way, the retail center accommodates the needs of underserved populations, including persons with disabilities, the elderly, the young, and low-income households.
Pedestrian & Bicycle
Transportation Plan
Keeping this center retail-focused is consistent with City of Bellevue’s Pedestrian and Bicycle
Transportation Plan, keeping Bellevue equitable and accessible neighborhood for residents who walk and bike.The City recently invested in improving bicycle facilities in the area, so keeping the center retail-focused is consistent with this investment.
City's Economic Development Plan
The City's Economic Development plan, adopted in November 2020, has **supporting small business as its objective. The proposed project will get rid of 8+ small businesses.The Economic Development plan also mentions support for "more robust retail activity" - a new Subaru dealership isn't it!
Community Based Planning
The proposed new auto dealership isn't community-based planning in Bellevue, creating negative impact for the daily life of residents.
Existing Subaru Dealership
There is already an existing Subaru dealership right next door at 15150 SE Eastgate Way.See FAQ Below.
How can I stay informed of this project?
Save Sunset Village is led by concerned neighbors and business owners in Eastgate.
Please complete the form below to stay engaged with this project.You can also directly e-mail savesunsetvillage@gmail.com with anything that would be remotely helpful in making sure that this project doesn't move forward with the City of Bellevue.
E-mail Save Sunset Village
You can also directly e-mail savesunsetvillage@gmail.com with anything that would be remotely helpful in making sure that this project doesn't move forward with the City of Bellevue.
FAQ
Who is Lithia Motors?
Lithia Motors is a big auto sales group headquartered in Medford, Oregon. It is a publicly-traded company with annual revenues in excess of $30B. Fueled by easy capital during the pandemic, Lithia Motors purchased the property at Sunset Village in 2021. It has no long-standing goodwill in Eastgate or with this property.Its project threatens to displace Sunset Village tenants that have been there for decades! The Dairy Queen has been there for 50+ years, India Gate for 20+ years.
What if the City's Land Director approves of the Land Use Amendment?
Process II administrative decisions can be appealed to the Hearing Examiner. Decisions of the Hearing Examiner can be appealed to the Superior Court.
What is Community Business (CB) Zoning?
Community Business Districts serve community markets and provide areas for the location of services and retail outlets, other than Downtown. (Ord. 4654, 6-6-94, § 14; Ord. 3145, 9-27-82, § 17)Auto sales aren't outright permitted in an CB Zone. The current existing Toyota dealership was allowed under a Conditional Use Permit in 2004.
Do any of the affected businesses have plans for relocation?
The current retail space availability in Bellevue doesn't provide feasible relocation locations in Bellevue. Additionally, the businesses face major financial loss given that cost to replace their existing businesses is much higher in the 2024 business and lending climates.All small business owners of Sunset Village are devastated to hear of the demolition that threatens their businesses, livelihood, and is a descruction of the goodwill these businesses have painstakingly established in the Eastgate community.
Isn't there already an existing Subaru dealership in Eastgate?
Yes, there is! However, the land where this dealership is situated isn't owned by Lithia Motors.Lithia Motors wants to consolidate its Toyota and Subaru dealerships into the parcel that's now known as Sunset Village.In 2020, there were plans submitted by the previous owners of Sunset Village to rebuild the Subaru dealership on its existing lot. Unfortunately, the property was sold to Lithia Motors in 2021.
© Save Sunset Village. All rights reserved.
Elizabeth Stead
Komal Agarwal
City of Bellevue Land Use
estead@bellevuewa.gov
kagarwal@bellevuewa.govDear Elizabeth Stead and Komal Agarwal,I am writing as a resident of Bellevue to express my unequivocal opposition to the proposed development of a new auto dealership at Sunset Village. This project, in its current proposal, is fundamentally at odds with multiple key aspects of Bellevue's Land Use criteria and the City's planning goals.Inconsistency with Community Business (CB) Zones: Auto sales are not a permitted outright use in CB zones. Expanding auto sales in Eastgate, already dense with such businesses, contradicts the purpose of a Community Business zone, which is intended as an alternative to downtown retail areas.Detriment to Walkable, Neighborhood Retail: The current retail mix at Sunset Village promotes a community-friendly environment, accessible to pedestrians and cyclists. This aligns perfectly with the City's Economic Plan emphasizing a diverse retail mix and is in harmony with Bellevue's transportation strategy, which prioritizes walking, bicycling, and transit.Threat to Existing Retail and Local Needs: The current businesses serve the community effectively, supporting Bellevue's goal of creating accessible, walkable neighborhood retail. Replacing this with an auto dealership would disrupt a vital retail center along a key North-South corridor.Contradiction to City's Climate Goals: Eliminating a retail center that supports walkability directly opposes the City's climate objectives and its efforts to reduce car reliance, a vital part of Bellevue's growth and environmental stewardship initiatives.Violation of Land Use Policy LU-7: Auto sales do not align with the definition of "alternative retail" outside the downtown core, as stipulated in Bellevue's Land Use Element Policy LU-7.Undermining Bellevue Environmental Stewardship Initiative: The existing retail setup contributes to reduced car trips and supports the city's goals of lowering greenhouse gas emissions.Loss of a Local Gathering Place: The proposed development would fundamentally alter the character of a local gathering spot, recognized for its community value since a 1999 city report.Impact on Access to Transit: The retail center's proximity to Eastgate Park & Ride and local transit stops is crucial. Its current retail focus aligns with the Bellevue City Council's vision and accommodates diverse community members, including underserved populations.Conflict with Pedestrian & Bicycle Transportation Plan: Retaining the retail focus is key to supporting the city's investments in bicycle facilities and keeping Bellevue an equitable, accessible neighborhood.Contravention of the City's Economic Development Plan: The proposal contradicts the Plan's objectives of supporting small businesses and fostering robust retail activity. Replacing over eight small businesses with an auto dealership is a step in the wrong direction.Ignoring Community-Based Planning: This proposal does not reflect community-based planning and could have a negative impact on the daily lives of Bellevue residents. The presence of an existing Subaru dealership nearby further questions the necessity of this new development.Given these points, I strongly urge the City to reconsider the approval of this project. It is vital that development in Bellevue reflects the needs and values of its residents and adheres to the established planning and environmental principles.I appreciate your consideration of these concerns and am available for further discussion or to provide additional input.Sincerely,Your Name
You Address
Bellevue, Washington Zip