Somerset Community Association
Bellevue, WA
Bellevue, WA
 REMINDER! Join the Conversation about Middle Housing with City Council and Planners at Somerset Elementary Monday June 2, 6:30 PM, Somerset Elementary Gym Learn about the city reclassifying our neighborhoods from Residential to Middle Housing The agenda includes a short SCA presentation with Q&A, City Planner Presentation with Q&A, and an Open Mic Discussion. City Planners have requested that some questions be submitted in advance. You will also have the opportunity to ask additional questions, raise concerns, and offer suggestions during the meeting as well. If they aren’t able to get all questions answered at the meeting, you can also send emails with questions or statements to the Bellevue City Council at [email protected].
To catch up on the current Middle Housing discussions, please review the video and supporting Middle Housing documents from the recent City Council LUCA meeting, as well as additional FAQs from the city. ATTN neighborhood association leads: Please share this invite with your neighborhood and email [email protected] if you plan on attending to represent your neighborhood. To help SCA prepare for your attendance, please fill out this short survey. How does “Middle Housing” affect my property and neighborhood? If you own a home in a single-family land use district (R-1 through R-7.5), once the regulations are in effect you may be able to have multiple units on your lot. This could include the addition of one or two ADUs with your primary home, or any other combination of units and structure types that works with the space you have and your needs. If you prefer to keep your property as-is that is also allowed under the new regulations. There is nothing in the bill or the anticipated code changes that would require someone to change their property. What is Middle Housing? “Middle housing” or “middle-scale housing” is a term used to refer to residential developments that are more dense than single-family housing and less dense than a typical midrise apartment building, but similar in scale to single-family homes. Middle housing types are determined by the form of the structure and the number of units within the structure and/or development. Densities included in this definition that describe units per structure include: Duplexes, Triplexes, Fourplexes, Sixplexes Building structure types included in this definition are: Townhomes, Stacked flats, Cottages, Courtyard/garden style apartments When will the new regulations go into effect? The city is required to adopt regulations consistent with HB 1110 and 1337 by June 30, 2025. What if my lot has covenants? The city does not enforce private covenants or Homeowners Association (HOA) requirements. Covenants are private legal agreements—typically recorded in county real property records—that impose restrictions on land use. Many covenants prohibit the construction of any type of dwelling unit besides a single-family dwelling, which is the primary topic of discussion we have heard regarding covenants and middle housing. These covenants are contracts, and both the Washington State Constitution and the United States Constitution limit the extent to which government can interfere with previously executed contracts. Additional Information:
Submit Photos to the View Guidelines Committee Dear Somerset Neighbors,
As part of our ongoing effort to update the Somerset View Guidelines, we are contacting all residents to help define what a "view" means in our community. Many of our neighborhood conflicts stem from differing interpretations of what constitutes a view under our Protective Covenants. These covenants mention the impact of structures on surrounding views but do not specify what types of views are protected. We seek community input to create fair, consistent, and measurable guidelines. We invite you to participate by sharing one or more photos of the view from your home. These photos will help the View Guidelines Committee understand the wide range of views in Somerset and how they are valued by residents. Examples might include views of water, trees, city skyline, sunsets, or mountain ranges—whatever you consider important and meaningful. How you can help: Please share photos of the views from your home to assist the committee in understanding the diverse perspectives that matter most to our community. Submit your photos and information to: [email protected] Include the following:
You can also place your photos in an email with the description above in the email. Please connect the description to the photo if there is more that one photo. What we'll do with your input: We plan to post these photos and descriptions (with your permission) on the View Guidelines Committee webpage at Somerset98006.org to facilitate community-wide review and discussion. If you would prefer to submit your views without them being posted publicly, we're happy to honor that request. Once we've gathered a representative range of community input, the committee will host a public forum (via Zoom or in person) to discuss how to define and apply the concept of a "view" as it relates to the Protective Covenants and the updated guidelines. Your voice and your views matter—please help shape the future of Somerset by participating in this important initiative. For more information, please contact us at [email protected] or visit the View Guidelines Committee page on the Somerset website located at Somerset98006.org under the Get Involved / Committees tab. We will be discussing the views submitted in our next View Guidelines Committee open Zoom meeting on June 5, 2025. Stay tuned for the invitation to this important meeting. Warm regards, The Somerset View Guidelines Committee ARE YOU READY FOR A 4-STORY, 4-6 FAMILY HOME NEXT DOOR TO YOU? When your neighbor sells, he/she might sell to a builder. Are you ready to defend your CC&R rights by challenging higher density housing on your street? There is something you can do about it NOW:
SCA Invites You to Attend a Middle Housing Conversation with City Council and Planners at Somerset Elementary: In Attendance: City Planners and City Councilmembers Date: Monday, June 2 Time: 6:30 PM Location: Somerset Elementary Gym Parking: On-site The Somerset Community Association (SCA) invites all Bellevue residents to this crucial meeting regarding middle housing. In 2023, HB1110 was approved with the intention of increasing housing diversity across Washington cities. All cities are tasked with implementing the state mandate. The Bellevue City Council will be voting on Bellevue’s middle housing land use code proposal by June 30th. This may be the last chance to voice your opinions and influence Bellevue's future development. City Planners and many City Councilmembers will be present to answer questions and listen to your concerns. Currently, not all Councilmembers are in agreement and five of the seven council seats are up for election this year. Your opinions/suggestions can make an impact. We encourage you to attend this meeting. “How will Bellevue’s decisions on Middle Housing affect me?”
Don't Miss Your Chance to Shape Bellevue's Future! ATTN neighborhood association leads: Please share this invite with your neighborhood and email [email protected] if you plan on attending to represent your neighborhood. Additional Information:
Reminder: May CRC Meeting The Somerset Covenant Review Committee (CRC) Invites you to the May CRC Meeting open to Somerset Residents
Date: Wednesday, May 7 Time: 7PM Location: Zoom Attendance. Please make sure to register to receive the invite link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/EoomDc5MTYqT7gqWyMuHBw Meeting Objectives:
Agenda: Welcome and introductions (5 minutes) Cases: 13-36 & 22-55 Division S; 13606 SE 43rd Pl Tree Complaint 22-24 & 23-32 Division 8; 132nd St Tree Complaint 23-47 Division 14; 4700 Somerset Ave SE Tree Complaint 25-03 Division H3; 14403 SE 46th St Exterior Lighting Complaint 25-07 Division 6; 13430 SE 43rd St Driveway Replacement 25-10 Division 8; 4600 Somerset Dr SE Siding/Paint 25-11 Division 2; 13725 Somerset Blvd SE Roof 25-12 Division SR: 13930 SE 44th St Landscaping 24-49 Division 14; 4621 Somerset Pl SE House Remodel 25-04 Division 6; 13445 SE 43rd St House Remodel 25-08 Division 8; 4725 133RD AVE SE Garage Remodel 25-13 Division 14; 4621 Somerset Pl SE Landscaping 25-14 Division H-1; 4459 141st Pl SE Fence 25-15 Division 15; 4609 135th Ave SE Fence 25-16 Division H-1; 4462 141st Pl SE Rebuild Notes:
Preparation suggestions for remodel applicants and their impacted neighbors: Applicants: Share your proposal and/or anything you’d like your neighbors to know. (optional) Neighbors: How do you think this remodel would impact your property or your enjoyment of your property? (optional) Covenant Review Committee |
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