The Bloomington City Council is considering changes to the city’s zoning laws.
After a monthlong debate within the Plan Commission, a set of 10 separate ordinances that will change the city’s overall Unified Development Ordinances are on the table.
Councilmember Susan Sandberg said it is now the council’s job to flesh out the details, especially so that the new zoning does not damage the community.
"Writing this code is of utmost importance to make sure it does respect the public’s right to know, and the public’s right to have some recourse if things are developing that are not in accordance with their livability or what their concerns may be," Sandberg said.
One of the most controversial proposed changes is to allow duplexes by-right in most of the city’s residential neighborhoods.
By-right means that as long as a developer or landlord meets all the requirements in the UDO, they will be able to build or change an existing structure into a duplex without a public hearing.
Sandberg and other members of the council worry this could cause unintended consequences.
"When it comes right down to it, our hands are tied by what the code says. If it is by-right, then a builder can build what is allowed by code. And that is why it’s so critical for us to look at by-right," Sandberg said.
Councilmember Steve Volan was under the impression that this change to by-right zoning would make the Plan Commission’s role in the process less significant.
"It seems to be that Plan Commission may be required to review a project, but it no longer means that Plan Commission has discretion to approve or reject a project," Volan said.
Volan's assumption was correct. The city said the new changes would mean city staff will now be responsible for looking over petitions to make sure they meet UDO standards.
The job of the Plan Commission would be to approve site plans, but as long a plan meets code, that body cannot change any proposals.
Councilmember Matt Flaherty clarified the point by saying the only change is "which set of eyes" are responsible for reviewing proposals.
"Whether it's the city reviewing a project or the Plan Commission reviewing a project, the standard is the the exact same," said Flaherty. "It is, does this meet code as a permitted use (by-right) and should we pass it?"
Wednesday night's discussions were only preliminary as it pertains to the potential UDO changes. Nothing can become official until after second readings, which are expected to begin no sooner than two weeks from now.
The council still has time to writeup any amendments that could change the overall proposal.
Next week, the council will discuss the issue of plexes more in-depth with plenty of time for public comment.
Our community is changing, from closing businesses to traffic and road construction to affordable housing, and we see the impact of these changes all around us.
We want to know: What questions do you have about how the Bloomington of tomorrow will impact your work, your personal life, your community and your future?
Here’s how it works: You submit a question you’d like us to explore about how Bloomington has changed over the past few decades, what you want to see for the city in the future and how ties with IU continue to shape the community.
So: What do you wonder about how Bloomington is changing and how it impacts your life?
Interested in an ongoing conversation how Bloomington is changing? Join our Facebook group!
