Story2027 Draft Planning Commission Work PlanNovember 13, 2026

Planning Commission Lays Groundwork for 2027 Work Plan as Housing Code Rewrites Advance

Bloomington commissioners approved multifamily residential standards changes and delayed the Opportunity Housing Ordinance to December, shaping the priorities that will carry into the next work plan cycle.

Published Nov 15, 2026

The Bloomington Planning Commission advanced a package of multifamily residential code changes and postponed action on the city's Opportunity Housing Ordinance, moves that will help define the items carried forward into the 2027 draft Planning Commission work plan.

Meeting in the Commission Chambers at City Hall, commissioners approved items by votes of 7-0 and, on a third matter, 4-0 with three abstentions. The discussion centered on standards governing the city's RM24, RM50 and RM100 multifamily districts — the same districts expected to remain a focus of long-range planning work in the coming cycle.

Multifamily standards under review

Planner Ramler Olsen outlined the scope of the proposed amendments, which touch on setbacks, storage and open space.

So, uh there are several standards up for consideration. Um the first one is going to relate to streetside setbacks for structures in multifamily districts RM24, RM50 to match those within RM100. And the second item will be requirements for on-site storage units in multifamily developments and mixed-use developments with a multifamily component. The third item is going to be related to usable open space requirements.
— Ramler Olsen, City Planner

Among the changes, staff proposed eliminating bonus area credits for private balconies and porches and lowering the minimum usable open space requirement in the RM24, RM50 and RM100 districts to 200 square feet per dwelling unit.

The first one is to eliminate the bonus area credits from private balconies and porches. The second change is to lower the minimum usable open space for development within the RM24, RM50 and RM100 districts so that each dwelling unit only needs to be 200 square feet of usable open space provided per dwelling unit.
— Ramler Olsen, City Planner

Other Topics from This Document

Multifamily Residential Standards Code Amendment
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Opportunity Housing Ordinance (OHO) Updates
APA Minnesota Chapter Conference Reflections

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Votes (3)

City Code Amendment: Multifamily Residential Standards (Item 1.1)

7-0 Approved

Dissent: None

Moved by Commissioner Len [0h43m53s] · Seconded by Unknown [0h44m15s]

The discussion centered on three main areas: reducing streetside setbacks to 10 feet for RM24/RM50 to match RM100 for design flexibility and urban character; eliminating the requirement for on-site external storage units, deemed outdated due to abundant self-storage options and lack of market demand; and revamping usable open space requirements, including eliminating inflated balcony/porch bonuses, flattening minimum open space to 200 sq ft per unit across districts, and introducing up to a 50% reduction for developments within a quarter-mile walk of a public park. Commissioners expressed support for increased flexibility and housing but voiced concerns about the 'squishiness' of discretionary park reductions and ensuring genuine accessibility and quality of parks for residents. The educational component of zoning was highlighted.

Opportunity Housing Ordinance Updates (Item 1.2)

7-0 Approved

Dissent: None

Moved by Commissioner Len [0h47m58s] · Seconded by Unknown [0h48m04s]

The item was presented as not yet ready for prime time due to ongoing internal review with legal and leadership staff. The recommendation was to continue the public hearing to a later date to allow staff more time to refine the complex ordinance.

Approval of Draft Planning Commission Meeting Synopsis for October 29th, 2026 (Item 3.1)

4-0 Approved with 3 abstentions

Dissent: Commissioners Issa, White, and Len abstained due to absence from the October 29th, 2026 meeting.

Moved by Commissioner Coleman [1h9m17s] · Seconded by Unknown [1h9m25s]

Routine approval of previous meeting minutes. Three commissioners abstained due to their absence from the meeting in question.

Notable Quotes (7)

So, uh there are several standards up for consideration. Um the first one is going to relate to streetside setbacks for structures in multif family districts RM2450 [clears throat] to match those within uh RM 100. Um and the second item will be requirements for on uh for on-site storage units in multif family developments and mixeduse developments with a multifamily component. Um the third item is going to be related to usable open space requirements...
— Planner Ramler Olsen [0h4m33s]

City Code Amendment: Multifamily Residential Standards (Item 1.1)

Um, the first one is to elum uh eliminate the bonus area credits from private balconies and porches... The second change is to lower the uh minimum usable open space for development within the RM24, RM50 and RM 100 districts so that uh each dwelling unit or for um there only needs to be 200 square ft of usable open open space provided per dwelling unit.
— Planner Ramler Olsen [0h11m20s]

City Code Amendment: Multifamily Residential Standards (Item 1.1)

The third item for usable open space that was changed uh was and this is in addition to code. So this would allow up to 50% reduction in required um usable open space area for developments within a quarter mile walking distance of a public park.
— Planner Ramler Olsen [0h15m29s]

City Code Amendment: Multifamily Residential Standards (Item 1.1)

Is there a specified definition of what is considered a park in this case? I.e., does it have to be a city park? Uh can it be a park? uh just open green space, school, playyard, that kind of thing. That's part one. And part two on the 50% reduction where the final decision decision making rests with uh either the city or the planning commission. That's on a case-byase basis. Correct. So if for example a development came in and was seeking that 50% reduction, but let's say that quarter mile meant crossing over Normaddale Boulevard at 84th or at America yeah 84th Street where yes it may only be a quarter of mile but it could be a very difficult quarter of mile to cross. Is that the kind of thing that would be factored in to that decision-making process?

Ordinances & Resolutions (14)

Chapter 21Ordinance

City code chapter being amended for multifamily residential standards.

Chapter 19Ordinance

Previous chapter of city code referenced for legacy zoning districts.

Opportunity Housing Ordinance (OHO)Ordinance

Ordinance for which updates are being internally reviewed and whose public hearing was continued.

2050 Comprehensive PlanPlan

Ongoing project that limits new projects on the 2027 work plan due to staff dedication.

South Loop AUAPlan

An environmental review document required to be updated every five years, proposed for the 2027 work plan.

Miscellaneous Issues OrdinanceOrdinance

Annual ordinance for minor policy updates and cleanups, proposed for 2027 work plan.

THE BLOOMINGTON RECORDER

Planning Commission Lays Groundwork for 2027 Work Plan as Housing Code Rewrites Advance

Multifamily standards under review

Other Topics from This Document

Multifamily Residential Standards Code Amendment

Opportunity Housing Ordinance (OHO) Updates

APA Minnesota Chapter Conference Reflections

Want to know when new stories arrive?

Commissioners press on park access

Opportunity Housing Ordinance delayed

Go deeper on this topic

Votes (3)

Notable Quotes (7)

Ordinances & Resolutions (14)

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