20.25Q.130 Design guidelines | Bellevue Land Use Code

1. Intent. Each New Development provides an opportunity to enhance the aesthetic quality of East Main and its architectural context. The relationship that a Development has to its environment is a part of creating a well-designed, accessible, vibrant community.

a. Architectural elements should enhance, not detract from, the area’s overall character;

b. Locate the bulk of height in multi-building projects away from lower intensity Land Use districts;

c. Minimize off-site impacts from New Development, such as lights and noise, by directing them away from adjacent properties and less intense uses;

d. Incorporate human-scaled architectural elements at a scale and location that ensures detailing is proportionate to the size of the Building; and

e. Use forms, proportions, articulation, materials, colors and architectural motifs that are suggested by and complement adjacent Buildings.

1. Intent. Publicly accessible Open Spaces are provided for public enjoyment and are areas of respite for those who live and work in the area. Publicly accessible Open Spaces provide numerous benefits for people including: active and passive recreation, a place to sit and gather, a place for events, and relief from the built environment. Any negative impacts from new projects to adjacent Publicly Accessible Spaces should be minimized.

a. Organize Buildings and Site features to preserve and maximize solar access into existing and new public Open Spaces wherever possible;

b. When designing a project base or podium, strive to enhance the user’s experience of adjacent public Open Spaces. For example, views of an adjacent existing public Open Space can be framed by New Development; and

c. Promote use and visual and physical accessibility of publicly accessible Open Spaces through Site and Building design.

1. Intent. East Main residents, employees, and visitors depend on safe, inviting, efficient transportation options. New Development is a key link in creating a reliable transportation system with connections to different modes of transportation that place an emphasis on safety for the pedestrian.

a. Create logical connections to transit options, walking and biking Trails, pedestrian routes, and streets; and

b. Coordinate service and parking access to maximize efficiency and minimize negative impacts on adjacent Land Uses and the Public Realm.

1. Intent. Entrances and transitions into and within East Main should be celebrated.

2. Standard. Gateways are required in the following locations and shall be visible from and accessible to the Sound Transit East Main Station. Locations include (a) the intersection of Main Street and 112th Avenue SE; and (b) the east side of 112th Avenue SE across from the Sound Transit East Main Station.

3. Guideline. Use architectural and Site design elements to emphasize gateways. Pedestrians, cyclists, transit passengers, and motorists should experience a sense of “entering” or moving into East Main.

1. Intent. Outdoor spaces are more enjoyable and functional if they are filled with sunlight. Loss of sunlight and sky view reduces the comfort, quality, and use of publicly accessible Open Space. Trees and vegetation need sunlight to thrive.

a. Evaluate alternative placement and massing concepts for individual Building Sites at the scale of the block to ensure the greatest amount of sunlight and sky view in the surrounding area;

b. Maximize sunlight and sky view for people in adjacent Developments and streetscape; and

c. Minimize the size of shadows and length of time that they are cast on pedestrians in the streetscape.