Transformative Transit-Oriented Development on the Eastside

Session 5C | Thursday | 10:15 AM – 11:30 AM (PT)

About the Session

In urban areas across Washington state, communities are embracing transit-oriented development to advance a wide variety of local and statewide objectives, from neighborhood revitalization and economic development to sustainability and inclusion. Through a close examination of three case studies, panelists from three rapidly-growing Puget Sound cities 1) Bellevue, 2) Kirkland, and 3) Redmond will describe why their communities are pursuing TOD as a core community development strategy, the planning and implementation steps that have led to their successes, and share lessons learned for pursuing the next generation of transit-oriented communities. Participants will gain knowledge and skills that can be adapted and applied in their own communities.

About the Moderator

Jeff Churchill, AICP

Long Range Planning Manager, City of Redmond

Jeff Churchill, AICP, is the Long Range Planning Manager at the City of Redmond. The Long Range Planning Team works with the community and City leadership to review, update, and implement policies that support the community's vision as articulated in the Redmond Comprehensive Plan. Prior to his current role, Jeff worked in transportation planning, focusing on regional transportation policy and the extension of light rail to Redmond. Jeff has a Master' s degree in Urban Design and Planning from the University of Washington.

About the Speakers

Emil A. King, AICP

Community Development Director, City of Bellevue

Emil King serves as the director of the City of Bellevue's Community Development Department. The department works to secure Bellevue's present and future as a livable, inspiring, vibrant, and equitable community. Community Development accomplishes this through three divisions â€“ Planning, Neighborhood Services and the Cultural and Economic Development Office. Emil has been with Bellevue since 2000. Prior to Bellevue, he was a consultant for Washington cities and counties developing growth management plans and implementation codes. Emil is a certified planner and holds a master's in urban planning and an undergraduate degree in economics.

Jon Regala

Planning Supervisor, City of Kirkland

Jon Regala is a Planning Supervisor for the City of Kirkland where he helps mentor a group of current planners and a code enforcement officer. Jon graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Urban Geography with an emphasis in GIS and later obtained a Certificate in Urban Planning, also from UW. Jon began his career in planning as an intern with the City of Kirkland and never left. As a planner with Kirkland, Jon specialized in design review projects and now as a supervisor is the staff liaison to the Design Review Board. He also served as a Planning Commissioner for the City of Kenmore soon after incorporation to help develop their Comprehensive Plan, which was adopted in 2001. Jon lives in Kenmore with his family and enjoys golf and tennis in his free time.

Beckye M Frey

Principal Planner, City of Redmond

Beckye Frey is the Principal Planner in the City of Redmond's Long Range Planning Team. Beckye has 30 years of policy, plan, and regulation development; community engagement; environmental planning; and regional planning. Her passion lies in helping communities address the needs of those who have traditionally been left out of the planning process, with a particular focus on empowering community members with disabilities and finding ways to improve equity in the built environment.

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