City of Bloomington — Transcript
Areas of Interest
- Bloomington Planning Commission approves Seagate's major expansion despite significant parking code deviation.
- Controversy over nitrogen storage tanks near public streets: City Fire Marshal found no concerns, but public raises questions.
- City explores revising decades-old multifamily development standards, potentially easing requirements for setbacks, storage, and open space.
- Bloomington stands alone among peer cities with its unique requirement for dedicated storage units in multifamily buildings.
- Proposed changes to multifamily rules could make housing development more affordable, but may face pushback from fire/health departments.
- Seagate's continued growth in Bloomington, with further expansions anticipated, highlights its regional industry leadership.
- Planning Commission's advisory role vs. City Council's final decision-making power highlighted as Seagate item moves to consent agenda.
16 Topics in This Document
Planning Commission advisory role to City Council
Development proposals and standards
Long-range planning and transportation issues
Public hearings and study items
Seagate facility campus expansion
Addition of manufacturing space
Proposed nitrogen plant area
Parking requirements and flexibility
Landscaping and stormwater management
Multifamily performance standards review
Street side setbacks for multifamily development
Storage unit requirements for multifamily development
Usable open space standards for multifamily development
Minimum off-street parking requirements study
Permitted setbacks and encroachments study
Opportunity Housing Ordinance (SHOW) incentives
▸Full Extraction
- Bloomington Planning Commission approves Seagate's major expansion despite significant parking code deviation.
- Controversy over nitrogen storage tanks near public streets: City Fire Marshal found no concerns, but public raises questions.
- City explores revising decades-old multifamily development standards, potentially easing requirements for setbacks, storage, and open space.
- Bloomington stands alone among peer cities with its unique requirement for dedicated storage units in multifamily buildings.
- Proposed changes to multifamily rules could make housing development more affordable, but may face pushback from fire/health departments.
- Seagate's continued growth in Bloomington, with further expansions anticipated, highlights its regional industry leadership.
- Planning Commission's advisory role vs. City Council's final decision-making power highlighted as Seagate item moves to consent agenda.
“I'm plenty comfortable with the parking deviation.”
“Seems like a good application. We've seen Seagate here many times in the past and it seems to me they've been a fine resident and neighbor.”
“Staff does recommend approval.”
“Staff has a lot of confidence that there's adequate parking supply through the Planned Development Overlay District.”
“I just have a question about the nitrogen storage pad. ... Were there any safety concerns identified by the Fire Marshal or anyone about having nitrogen tanks so close to a street?”
“The nitrogen plan, it is existing today, so it's a relocation of the tanks just to better serve our manufacturing facility.”
“We still have an outstanding item with the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District and their approval. So I think there is still a little bit of uncertainty with that plan.”
“Laura McCarthy with the Fire Department has been integral in terms of understanding all the building requirements especially for something that has a lot of chemicals. So I just really appreciate the staff.”
“This is very straightforward and as you noted, the parking is sort of above the threshold where we usually give it a much closer look and in fact we did there was a study performed on it.”
“The standards were we're recommending some revisions to our street side setbacks storage units and usable open space.”
“It's just a vestige that's kind of carried through all the iterations of the City Code up until today and you know looking at our peers in the in the region it's we were unable to identify any other communities that have a storage unit requirement.”