City of Bellevue releases draft Curb Management Plan
The City of Bellevue just released a draft of its first Curb Management Plan, which aims to establish a long-term framework to guide the development, operation, and maintenance of curbside areas in the city’s densest neighborhoods.
In short, this plan creates a more official, streamlined system for the use of curbs, particularly as it applies to disrupting traffic flow.
A 42-page document detailing the different allowed uses for curb spaces, the city’s equity concerns, and a draft Pilot Roadmap, the plan strives to relieve traffic congestion while maintaining safety and efficiency.
Before the publication of this draft plan, the Bellevue Chamber’s Transportation Committee was heavily involved in providing comment and public testimony on the management of our curbs, most importantly advocating for transparency in decision-making and additional traffic data to justify any decisions that may impact the wellbeing of our businesses.
“The Chamber would be concerned by any recommendation that deliberately lowers the level of service for commercial and emergency vehicles, as well as rubber-tired transit and private passenger vehicles,” the committee wrote to City Council and staff. “We prioritize relieving traffic congestion, increasing safety, and accommodating trips and guests to Bellevue.”
Here are a few key policies proposed in the City’s draft plan, as per ordinance #6707:
- Consider implementation of a pay-for curb use program
- Provide flexible curbside space within public right-of-way to accommodate parcel delivery and passenger loading through development review and curb operation changes
- Create curbside zones for on-street parking
- Add on-street parking spaces in travel lanes for use during off-peak hours
- Designate permanent or off-peak curbside queue areas for rideshare vehicles, taxis, and employer shuttles in strategic locations
- Consider creating designated curbside zones to allow for vendor and food truck activity, or creating activated curbside zones, such as on-street dining areas, parklets, and other placemaking solutions