Bloomington City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Bloomington 2050 Comprehensive Plan Update
Proposed Amendments to the Opportunity Housing Ordinance (OJO)
Votes (2)
Bloomington Comprehensive Plan (Bloomington 2050)
Discussion revolved around the draft strategic priorities and guiding principles of the Bloomington 2050 plan. Commissioners questioned the clarity of language distinguishing 'City' from 'Community' in the priorities, and whether 'Leading on Climate Action' was an appropriate strategic outcome versus a tactic given the city's limited control. The need for Bloomington's plan to reflect unique differentiators compared to other metro cities was also highlighted, with a specific request to ensure the economic development chapter reflects high-producing industries.
Proposed Amendments to the Opportunity Housing Ordinance
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Peterson [Unknown Timestamp] · Seconded by Unknown [Unknown Timestamp]
Key discussions focused on the definition and application of 'substantial rehabilitation' for existing properties, with concerns that a 20% valuation trigger could deter necessary maintenance and investment. The balance between mandating affordable units and the potential for the ordinance to disincentivize overall new housing development (cascading effect) was debated. Specific suggestions included clearer definitions for renovation types and a robust appeal process for developers. The concept of disallowing incentives for developments that maintain separate, revenue-generating surface parking (e.g., airport parking) was also introduced.
Notable Quotes (8)
BLOOMINGTON 2050 IS THE ROADMAP FOR THE CITY'S FUTURE IN WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON SO AGAIN IT'S A LONG TERM CITYWIDE PLAN HELPS US OUTLINE THE VISION FOR GROWTH AND CHANGE IN BLOOMINGTON.
IT'S NOT CLEAR WHETHER THE WHEN WE SAY BLOOMINGTON THERE WE'RE MEETING BLOOMINGTON THE CITY ENTITY OR BLOOMINGTON THE COMMUNITY. ... I THINK THE GOAL OF THIS IS MORE TO DESCRIBE THE COMMUNITY THAN TO THEN TO KIND OF TO SAY SAY THE CITY THE CITY ENTITY IS GOING TO DO X OR DO Y.
THE ONE THAT JUST GIVES ME JUST A MOMENT OF PAUSE IS THE LEADS ON CLIMATE ACTION ... IT'S THE ONE STATEMENT OF THOSE FIVE THAT WE DON'T HAVE CONTROL OVER IN TERMS OF OUR IMPACT IN TERMS OF THIS COMMUNITY.
I'M READING THIS AND I'M IMAGINING IF YOU TOOK THIS AND YOU PUT THE WORD EDEN PRAIRIE IN THERE AS OPPOSED TO BURLINGTON AND WOULD IT READ WOULD IT READ ANY DIFFERENT? ... WE NEED TO DO THINGS THAT ARE UNIQUE AND DIFFERENTIATED IN BLOOMINGTON.
THE OPPORTUNITY HOUSING ORDINANCE IS BLOOMINGTON'S INCLUSIONARY ZONING POLICY. IT WAS FIRST ADOPTED IN 2019 AND IT MANDATES THAT MARKET RATE DEVELOPERS SET ASIDE A PERCENTAGE OF THEIR UNITS FOR RESIDENTS WITH LOWER INCOMES.
IF YOU'VE GOT AN EXISTING PROPERTY YOU'RE GOING TO RENOVATE 20% OF IT. IF YOU'VE GOT 100 UNITS THAT'S 20 UNITS OR DO YOU VACATE THOSE UNITS? ... THAT'S A LITTLE SCARY. YES I THINK I WOULD AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER LUNTZ THAT YOU HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THAT BECAUSE YOU KNOW, 20% ISN'T A LOT IN A LOT OF CASES AND YOU START DOING MUCH OF ANYTHING AND WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE A DISINCENTIVE TO PEOPLE TOURING NECESSARILY REQUIRE MAINTENANCE.
ANYTIME WE CREATE FRICTION IN THIS SPACE IT HAS THERE'S THERE'S A CERTAIN MARGINAL IMPACT ON DEVELOPMENT THAT ENDS UP OCCURRING ... I'M JUST REALLY CURIOUS ABOUT KIND OF WHAT THE WHAT THE IMPACT IS ON KIND OF MARGINAL CONSTRUCTION.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT IF THEY ARE DOING THAT AND MAINTAINING THAT AND CONTINUE TO GET THE CASH FLOW AND THEY WON'T DEVELOP THEIR ENTIRE PROPERTY, I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE PUTTING ANY INCENTIVES INTO THOSE PROJECTS AND THAT'S WHAT I'D LIKE TO SEE PROHIBITED.
Ordinances & Resolutions (9)
The City's long-term Comprehensive Plan, a roadmap for future growth and change with a 20-year horizon.
Regional guidance that the Bloomington Comprehensive Plan must align with.
A new, dedicated chapter being included for the first time in the Bloomington 2050 Comprehensive Plan.
Bloomington's inclusionary zoning policy, first adopted in 2019, mandating affordable units in market-rate developments.
A study establishing the link between market-rate development and demand for affordable housing, forming the basis of the OJO.
A document developers must submit to show OJO compliance, proposed for future updates.
Proposed changes that OJO incentives (e.g., parking, open space) are being updated to align with.
A document executed to ensure compliance with OJO requirements upon building occupancy.
A text recommended for defining renovation terms like rehabilitation, renovation, and adaptive use.