StoryZoning and Housing Density (James Avenue City Home Project)October 27, 2026

Bloomington Residents Voice Concerns Over James Avenue Zoning Change, Increased Housing Density

A recent City Council decision to approve the James Avenue City Home Project, involving rezoning a portion of the avenue from R1 to R1R3, is set to significantly increase housing density, drawing disappointment from local residents.

Published Nov 3, 2026

The City of Bloomington's approval of the James Avenue City Home Project has ignited discussion among residents regarding zoning and housing density, with one concerned community member expressing significant disappointment at the July 18 Council Minute. The project, which was sanctioned at a previous council meeting, is poised to dramatically alter the residential landscape of a section of James Avenue.

Resident Kathy Jones, who has been closely involved in tracking the project, voiced her dismay over the council's decision and the resulting intensification of housing in her neighborhood. Her remarks during the council meeting highlighted the perceived impact on the area's character.

I'm very involved in the James Avenue City home project that was approved at the last council meeting.
— Kathy Jones, Concerned Resident

Jones specifically pointed to the increase in the number of homes, questioning the necessity of the R1R3 zoning choice when an alternative, less dense option was available. Her comments underscored a sentiment that the decision prioritized higher density over retaining the established residential pattern.

You know, we are going from five homes on that half of James Avenue to 14. Because we chose to go R1R3. Could have gone R one, he still could have built five to seven homes.
— Kathy Jones, Concerned Resident

The transition to R1R3 zoning, as articulated by Jones, effectively nearly tripled the number of potential homes on the specified section of James Avenue. While the project received council approval, the public comments signal ongoing community engagement and concern regarding the implications of such zoning decisions on local neighborhoods and the broader housing landscape in Bloomington.

Other Topics from This Document

Climate Resiliency and Sustainable Infrastructure
Solar Permitting Streamlining with SolarAPP+
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Fairness in Code Enforcement and Resident Support
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City Budget and Fiscal Responsibility
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Notable Quotes (14)

This year insurance rates across the entire state of Illinois rose. By 27 % after nearly doubling their all time record of tornadoes.
— Matthew Hellott [0:57]

Proposals for Economic Climate Resiliency and Sustainable Infrastructure

We could copy umd's ability to achieve larger and larger capital projects through the savings would be accruing. With this, it becomes possible for the city to cooperatively provide municipal utilities saving every resident the equivalent of cutting taxes by two thirds...
— Matthew Hellott [5:35]

Proposals for Economic Climate Resiliency and Sustainable Infrastructure

Every pound of phosphorus grows 500 pounds of algy and sequesters 2000 pounds of carbon.
— Matthew Hellott [7:44]

Proposals for Economic Climate Resiliency and Sustainable Infrastructure

Solar app plus as a powerful tool to automate cut costs and greatly accelerate Bloomington's permitting of residential solar and battery storage projects.
— John Crampton [12:35]

Urging Adoption of SolarAPP+ for Residential Solar Permitting

Research shows that approximately six to $7000 the cost of of rooftop solar projects in the United States roughly 40 to 60 % are the result of permitting and bureaucratic delays.
— John Crampton [16:36]

Urging Adoption of SolarAPP+ for Residential Solar Permitting

The Minnesota Department of Commerce offers an incentive of five. Thousand to $20000 to implement solar app depending on city size and your sustainability goals.
— John Crampton [19:07]

Urging Adoption of SolarAPP+ for Residential Solar Permitting

It doesn't have an appeal process. Now I worked in government. We had a, I worked in the appeals and grievance department for 30 years, so I kind of know something about appeals and grievances...
— Deb Harper [22:04]

Concerns Regarding Driveway Code Enforcement, Appeal Process, and HRA Communication

There's nothing on this letter. That says you can go to the HRA. Now, if you folks have all of this knowledge upstairs, why can't it go on something like this?
— Deb Harper [22:36]

Concerns Regarding Driveway Code Enforcement, Appeal Process, and HRA Communication

6.8 %. Increases much better than it's been in the recent past, which I am happy to give you and the staff credit for, but it's still too high in my opinion.
— John Humacca [24:34]

Critique of City Budget Increases and Call for Fiscal Responsibility

Bluntly, the council, the city, the med council, this county, the state run by DFL people, and in medic councils. Area. DFL appointees over the last past several years are more costly to the residents of Minnesota and the city of Bloomington than the Trump tariffs.
— John Humacca [26:50]

Critique of City Budget Increases and Call for Fiscal Responsibility

How are we coming along on identifying those duplicative services and plan for liminating?
— John Humacca [28:38]

Critique of City Budget Increases and Call for Fiscal Responsibility

I'm very involved in the James Avenue City home project that was approved at the last council meeting.
— Kathy Jones [30:54]

Disappointment Regarding James Avenue City Home Project Approval and Zoning Density

You know, we are going from five homes on that half of James Avenue to 14. Because we chose to go R1R3. Could have gone R one, he still could have built five to seven homes.
— Kathy Jones [31:07]

Disappointment Regarding James Avenue City Home Project Approval and Zoning Density

Change is only hard if change is bad. If the change is good, change isn't hard.
— Kathy Jones [31:59]

Disappointment Regarding James Avenue City Home Project Approval and Zoning Density

Ordinances & Resolutions (7)

Minnesota Statute 3904.27Ordinance

State statute preventing cities from banning earth-sheltered construction.

Bloomington's revolving door fund under section 7.14Plan

Existing fund proposed as a model for larger capital projects and municipal utilities.

SolarAPP+Permit

Online application for automating residential solar and battery storage permitting.

Minnesota state building codeOther

Code compliance standard for SolarAPP+.

National Electrical CodeOther

Code compliance standard for SolarAPP+.

HRA programProgram

Housing and Redevelopment Authority program providing assistance to residents.

THE BLOOMINGTON RECORDER

Bloomington Residents Voice Concerns Over James Avenue Zoning Change, Increased Housing Density

Other Topics from This Document

Climate Resiliency and Sustainable Infrastructure

Solar Permitting Streamlining with SolarAPP+

Fairness in Code Enforcement and Resident Support

City Budget and Fiscal Responsibility

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Votes (1)

Notable Quotes (14)

Ordinances & Resolutions (7)

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