Bloomington residents shared diverse community concerns during a City Council listening session Monday, ranging from excitement about a new community health and wellness center to criticism of its design and requests for senior housing development.

Scott Carlton, a lifelong Bloomington resident and developer, presented a proposal for villa-style senior housing on property south of the Dred Scott area. Carlton said the development would include approximately 15 single-level units designed for aging residents who want to downsize while remaining in the community. Property owner Ryan Johnson, who has owned adjacent land for 17 years, expressed interest in combining his parcel with Carlton's project. Council Member Nelson agreed to meet with both men offline to discuss the proposal, which faces challenges with current city ordinances regarding lot sizes and private road access.

Tara from Todd Pod, a community group for families with children five and younger, expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming community health and wellness center. She said the facility would eliminate the need for families to travel to neighboring cities for year-round indoor activities. However, resident Linda Lang criticized the center's design, calling it a "subsidized public health club" that tries to be "all things to all people." Lang specifically questioned the pool's size and the adequacy of multipurpose rooms for senior programming.

Christopher Campbell raised concerns about illegal cannabis sales in the community, presenting documentation of unregulated products being sold online and at pop-up events. He warned that untested products pose health risks similar to those that caused illnesses and deaths from fake vaporizers in 2019. Campbell also criticized a city policy change requiring property owners to plow their own sidewalks, calling it a "reverse tax increase" that particularly burdens elderly residents.

City staff committed to reviewing the villa housing proposal with planning staff by June 16 and publishing a proposed programming agenda for the community center's multipurpose rooms by June 30. The next listening session is scheduled for June 9, with two additional speakers already scheduled to present.