October 23, 2025 Bloomington Planning Commission Meeting

Thursday, October 23, 2025

Miscellaneous Issues Ordinance 2025 (Cleanup items)

Miscellaneous Issues Ordinance 2025 (Policy changes)

Building height map of Bloomington

Proposed amendments to official building height limits

Areas of Interest (4)

Bloomington revises 2025 miscellaneous code, removing rigid commercial architectural unity requirements.
City officials move to simplify height regulations, suggesting a shift from story-based limits to absolute footage.
Planning commission signals intent to prioritize building height over unit counts in upcoming zoning map updates.
Concerns raised regarding coordination between high-density residential development and school district capacity.

Votes (2)

Recommend adopting ordinances A through O and Q through Z

Passed6-0

Moved by Commissioner Len · Seconded by Not Specified

Recommend adopting ordinances AA through FF

Passed6-0

Moved by Commissioner Len · Seconded by Not Specified

Notable Quotes (2)

We are then asking them no you must meet the standards of the 1980s not the 2020s.
— Commissioner Cunningham

Ordinance E / Design FlexibilityArguing against restrictive architectural standards for new commercial builds.

If you can build up to a certain amount of feet, that's the that's the main concern. That's ultimately dictating your height. It's not the stories.
— Chair

Building Height NomenclatureQuestioning the redundancy of having both story and foot limits in code.

People (5)

Miss HespStaff Member

Presented the 2025 miscellaneous issues ordinance.

1 quote

“It's a project we do annually. That's kind of a hodgepodge of different ordinances... whether that be cleanup items or policy change ordinances.”

Explaining the purpose of the miscellaneous issues ordinance.

Mr. Ramler OlsenStaff Member

Presented the building height map study session.

Commissioner CunninghamPlanning Commissioner

Discussed commercial architectural standards and shadow casting.

1 quote

“We've seen development applications come before us and we've had to ask the applicant to change... because of the code, they have to actually meet the standards of the buildings that are already there.”

Advocating for Ordinance E to allow design flexibility.

Commissioner LenPlanning Commissioner

Inquired about planning area decision logic and school coordination.

Nick JohnsonPlanning Manager

Provided information on school district notification processes.

Places Mentioned

City Hall, BloomingtonOld Cedar AvenueOld Shakopee RoadLindale Avenue98th Street Station areaSouth Loop District

Events & Meetings (4)

October 23rd: Planning Commission Meeting
September 18th: Miscellaneous issues study session
September 29th: Miscellaneous issues council meeting
November 17th: Final public hearing at council

Ordinances & Resolutions (7)

Grammatical cleanup and addition of 'or' to existing code.

Updates to exterior lighting requirements and maintenance standards.

Allows multifamily residential in four specific zoning districts.

Clarifies appeals process for certificates of appropriateness and sets a $220 fee.

Sets 15ft height limit for accessory structures exceeding principal dwelling height.

Removes architectural unity requirement for commercial buildings to improve design flexibility.

Allows reduction of sidewalk width from 8ft to 6ft on minor collector roads under engineering discretion.

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