StoryBloomshine Village Town Homes Rezoning and DevelopmentSeptember 1, 2026

Bloomington Council Greenlights Bloomshine Village Townhomes Amidst Process Dialogue

The City Council approved the rezoning and development plans for Bloomshine Village Townhomes on East 86th and 87th Streets with a 6-1 vote, following extensive debate on resident impact and development procedures.

Published Sep 15, 2026

The Bloomington City Council moved forward with the Bloomshine Village Town Homes project on July 18, granting approval for the necessary rezoning, final site and building plans, and platting. The decision, which passed with a 6-1 vote, paves the way for a new townhome development on a site currently comprising six residential lots along East 86th and 87th Streets. The approval came after a detailed discussion among council members concerning the project's implications for local residents and the city's broader development review processes.

The approved development is set to transform properties located at 1525, 1601, 1603, 1605 East 86th Street, and 1604, 1606 East 87th Street. The site's location near the Old Cedar Regional Trail and its proximity to an existing bus stop on 87th Street were among the factors considered during the review.

I'm just concerned about how the residents feel about all these. And also, I don't want to mix a lot of things but it's part of it. When I was reading about the transit or the cars that go through that area study, there's a bus stop right on 87th, I believe.
— Council Member Rivas

The council's debate extended beyond the immediate project details to broader procedural concerns, particularly regarding instances where properties are acquired and existing homes are demolished before final development plans receive city approval. This sequence of events prompted questions about the timing of various development phases and the adequacy of communication with the community.

I do think it was unfortunate that the folks sold their homes and the homes were torn down right away before we were to a final development plan on all of this.
— Mayor

This sentiment was echoed by Council Member Carter, who inquired about potential city mechanisms to prevent multiple lots from being purchased and homes demolished prior to rezoning approvals. Furthermore, discussions highlighted the city's role in ensuring residents are well-informed about potential changes to their neighborhoods.

Other Topics from This Document

Public Safety Cadet Ambassadors Program
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New Police Officer Swearing-In Ceremony
Introduction of New City Employees
Three Rivers Park District Partnership Update
Surplus Property Donation and Unclaimed Property Disposition Policy
Council Policy and Issue Updates
Closed Meeting for Attorney-Client Discussion

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Votes (9)

Introduction of the Public Safety Cadet Ambassadors Program

Information Item

Officer Sam Davern presented the Public Safety Cadet Ambassadors Program, highlighting its transition from the Explorer program in 2026, its focus on specific public safety training, and successful participation in competitions. Three ambassadors shared their personal experiences and aspirations in law enforcement. Chief Hodes expressed strong support for the program and the law enforcement profession.

Swearing in of New Bloomington Police Officers

Ceremonial Item

Chief Booker Hodes introduced and swore in six new Bloomington police officers. He emphasized that these officers had completed all necessary training and were already actively patrolling the city. The Chief expressed pride in the department and gratitude for community support.

Introduction of New Bloomington City Employees

Information Item

Kim Bergen introduced Ryan Soulberg, the new Housing Development Specialist. The Mayor welcomed him, noting the critical role city employees play as the direct face of city services to residents.

Three Rivers Park District Partnership Update

Information Item

John Gibbs and Bo Carlson from Three Rivers Park District provided updates on the Highland Bush Anderson Lakes Park Reserve and Highland Greens Golf Course. Key points included significant increases in park visitation, successful golf course operations, and ongoing natural resource management efforts like tree removal and buckthorn control. They also detailed planned capital improvements, such as a Bush Lake Beach building remodel and a new district-wide wayfinding system. Council members inquired about food services, deer population studies, and the design consistency of new park buildings.

Bloomshine Village Town Homes Rezoning, Final Site and Building Plans, and Platting

6-1 Approved (for all 4 related motions)

Dissent: Council Member Rivas (opposition to all 4 motions)

Moved by Council Member Lman [1:00:32] · Seconded by Council Member Robertson [1:00:46]

This item, a continuation from a previous meeting, involved revised plans for the Bloomshine Village Town Homes, now proposing 30 units, increased setbacks, and more open space. Council members discussed resident concerns about density and traffic, specifically regarding a bus stop relocation. There was also a broader discussion on the city's process for notifying residents about potential developments and the timing of demolitions relative to final project approvals. The applicant confirmed willingness to coordinate with Metro Transit and stated that the affordable units would be for home ownership if possible.

City Code Amendment for Donation of Surplus City Property and Disposition of Abandoned or Unclaimed Property (Public Hearing)

7-0 Approved (for both ordinance motions)

Moved by Council Member Robertson [1:13:30] · Seconded by Council Member Lman [1:13:46]

Jackson Snyder, a summer law clerk, presented proposed amendments to City Code Chapter 5, which would enable the city to donate surplus equipment to non-profits and establish a clear process for handling unclaimed money. The policy ensures that property with little resale value can be put to productive use and unclaimed funds are managed transparently with safeguards for rightful owners. Council members inquired about money seized in criminal cases and potential tax implications for donated property. The public hearing drew no speakers.

Approval of Surplus Equipment Donation Policy

7-0 Approved

Moved by Council Member Dalisandro [1:16:20] · Seconded by Council Member Robertson [1:16:30]

The City Council formally approved the Surplus Equipment Donation Policy, which outlines the internal procedures for city departments to identify, approve, and donate surplus equipment. This policy is a prerequisite for the city to exercise its authority to donate surplus property, as enabled by the concurrently adopted city code amendment.

Council Policy and Issue Updates

Information Item

The Mayor recapped the listening session. The City Manager announced staff awards and a reminder about the preliminary 2027 property tax levies meeting. Council members discussed the need for proactive city communication with residents about zoning and development potentials, a review of R3 density standards, and exploring bike lane opportunities on Humboldt Avenue. They emphasized the importance of aligning city plans with community expectations and avoiding project-by-project negotiations.

Closed Meeting for Attorney-Client Privilege Discussion

7-0 Approved (for closure)

Moved by Mayor [1:28:18] · Seconded by Council Member Rivas [1:28:29]

The City Council voted to enter a closed session as permitted by the Minnesota open meeting law for an attorney-client privilege discussion. The purpose was to consider litigation strategies related to federal rulemaking. Upon reopening the public meeting, the council authorized relevant staff to act in accordance with the discussion held in the closed session.

Notable Quotes (17)

So, the public safety ambassador program is formerly known as our explorer program. We'll kind of cover that here, but we just switched for uh making it run a little bit smoother.
— Officer Sam Davern [0:04:13]

Introduction of the Public Safety Cadet Ambassadors Program

I believe this the most noble profession in the face of the earth. And if any of my children decide to do this job, I'll support them 100%, especially when it comes time to work in in this city.
— Chief Booker Hodes [0:15:36]

Introduction of the Public Safety Cadet Ambassadors Program

So all these folks here are out on the street right now patrolling the city of Bloomington.
— Chief Booker Hodes [0:15:08]

Swearing in of New Bloomington Police Officers

While we are the ones who sit up here, a lot of in a lot of cases, it's uh all it is all of the employees of Bloomington that are actually the face of Bloomington that people recognize and that they count on and that they uh consider to be Bloomington when they need something from the city and and that you you folks deliver the services.
— Mayor [0:21:49]

Introduction of New Bloomington City Employees

Ordinances & Resolutions (8)

2040 System PlanPlan

Three Rivers Park District's plan with fundamental tenets like 'you belong here'.

Parks System Master PlanPlan

City of Bloomington's plan guiding capital investments in park buildings.

R1 (single family residential)Zoning

Original zoning designation for Bloomshine Village Town Homes properties.

R3 (middle housing residential)Zoning

Proposed and approved zoning for Bloomshine Village Town Homes, allowing townhomes.

Ordinance number 2026Ordinance

Ordinance for rezoning properties related to Bloomshine Village Town Homes (implied number).

City Code Chapter 5Ordinance

Chapter amended to authorize surplus property donation and disposition of unclaimed property.

THE BLOOMINGTON RECORDER

Bloomington Council Greenlights Bloomshine Village Townhomes Amidst Process Dialogue

Other Topics from This Document

Public Safety Cadet Ambassadors Program

New Police Officer Swearing-In Ceremony

Introduction of New City Employees

Three Rivers Park District Partnership Update

Surplus Property Donation and Unclaimed Property Disposition Policy

Council Policy and Issue Updates

Closed Meeting for Attorney-Client Discussion

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Votes (9)

Notable Quotes (17)

Ordinances & Resolutions (8)

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