The Bloomington City Council moved forward with plans to allow single room occupancy housing in the city, adjusting residential occupancy limits to accommodate the affordable housing option during Monday's meeting.

Mayor Tim Busse said the council supported staff recommendations to change occupancy limits to "six or fewer adults, or any number of adults who are all related to each other by blood, marriage, guardianship, or domestic partnership recognized under Minnesota law, together with minor children in their care, living in a single housekeeping unit." The change aims to address housing needs for residents earning 30 to 50 percent of area median income, including retirees, minimum wage workers and those needing transitional housing.

Single room occupancy housing, similar to dormitory-style living, provides individuals with private rooms while sharing common areas like kitchens with other residents. The housing type offers an affordable option with less public subsidy needed, according to Busse. The Planning Commission, HRA Board and City Council have worked on the initiative since last summer.

The council also discussed parking requirements, minimum room sizes, location restrictions and common area requirements for SRO developments. Any approved SRO housing would be subject to the city's rental housing program requirements, including property maintenance and routine inspections by environmental health staff.

Public hearings on the SRO housing ordinance are tentatively scheduled for March and April at both the Planning Commission and City Council. The city has created a Let's Talk Bloomington page for public input on the topic.