The Bloomington Planning Commission on Thursday approved two ordinances that will move to City Council for public hearings next month, addressing sign code updates and new co-living housing standards.

The commission unanimously recommended approval of a Sign Code one-year lookback ordinance containing various cleanup items and policy updates. Planning Manager Johnson said the review was part of a commitment made when the sign code was completely overhauled in February 2024. Staff identified improvements needed after issuing 66 sign permits under the new policy throughout 2024.

The ordinance includes both technical cleanup items and policy changes. Notable updates allow roof integral signs in commercial and mixed-use districts, prohibit signs on residential fences, and increase size allowances for certain directional signs. The commission rejected a request from Clear Channel Outdoor to reduce electronic billboard dwell times from 20 seconds to eight seconds.

Commissioners also approved a Co-Living Use and Standards ordinance designed to address affordable housing needs, particularly for residents earning 30% of area median income. The ordinance creates definitions for co-living units and developments, modifies the family definition to allow up to six unrelated adults, and establishes use standards including a minimum 70-square-foot unit size and shared kitchen requirements.

The co-living ordinance sets parking requirements at 0.5 spaces per unit, which some commissioners questioned as potentially insufficient. Planning staff said the lower requirement reflects the target demographic and could be adjusted based on future experience. The ordinance makes co-living developments eligible for most Opportunity Housing Ordinance incentives, excluding parking reductions and storage space requirements.

Both ordinances will proceed to City Council for public hearings on April 28. The commission also received a study presentation on office conversion strategies but took no action, with most commissioners expressing preference to wait for legislative developments before pursuing policy changes.