April 10, 2025 Bloomington Planning Commission Meeting

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Missing Middle Housing Phase One Ordinance

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) standard amendments

Two-family dwelling zoning and site size requirements

Townhouse design and architectural standards

Removal of owner-occupancy requirements for rental units

Areas of Interest (5)

Bloomington looks to aggressively deregulate 'missing middle' housing to incentivize conversion projects.
Proposed shift in ADU policy: Eliminating owner-occupancy requirements and allowing more flexible front-yard siting.
Developer backlash against 'snout house' design mandates drives planning commission to relax garage setback requirements.
City staff push to remove mandatory landscaping requirements for small-scale residential developments citing administrative inefficiency.
Potential conflict between current short-term rental bans and new, more permissive ADU ownership rules.

Notable Quotes (4)

So with respect to the first one... the first one is a simple clean up... related to ADU setbacks. The first is a reduction in the rear yard setback.
— Mr. Johnson

ADU StandardsDetailing proposed changes to ADU regulations.

This ordinance would remove that instead of just favoring a more simplistic approach of establishing a minimum and a maximum.
— Mr. Johnson

ADU StandardsDiscussing the removal of the 33% proportional living space requirement for ADUs.

This ordinance would propose to reduce the minimum site size down to 11,700ft and 14,625ft for corner lots.
— Mr. Johnson

Two-Family DwellingsExplaining the reduction in minimum site size for two-family dwellings.

We would propose to change that so that the garage can be no further forward than the building than four feet as opposed to must be recessed by four feet.
— Mr. Johnson

Townhome StandardsAddressing design standard changes for townhome garages.

People (4)

Mr. JohnsonStaff

Lead staff member presenting the Missing Middle Housing Ordinance and answering commission questions.

2 quotes

“The Phase One Ordinance... is focused on uses that already exist in the Bloomington zoning code.”

Explaining the scope of the ordinance.

“The market typically takes care of it by itself. Residents want to have landscaping on their properties.”

Justifying the removal of mandatory landscaping requirements for two-family dwellings.

Commissioner LisaPlanning Commissioner

Questioned staff regarding rental license implications and the removal of the 33% proportional size rule for ADUs.

Mr. JonesPlanning Commissioner

Inquired about the impact of recessed garage requirements on developer project viability.

Commissioner CurryPlanning Commissioner

Asked about previous ordinance history and requested clarification on site size reductions.

Places Mentioned

Bloomington City Hall

Events & Meetings (3)

April 10th Planning Commission Meeting
November Planning Commission/HRA study session
December 2024 City Council study session

Ordinances & Resolutions (1)

Phase One Missing Middle Housing Ordinance

Proposed updates to Bloomington zoning code covering ADUs, two-family dwellings, and townhouse design standards to reduce barriers to housing.

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