Bloomington City legal and planning staff have a week to vet and draft 15 amendments to the city’s Unified Development Ordinance.
The Plan Commission met Thursday night to pick up where they left off Monday.
READ MORE: Residents Out In Force As Development Ordinance Moves Forward
Commission members are taking input and advising City Council before that body eventually votes on the zoning document.
Commission member Joe Hoffmann says a common theme heard Monday night was not creating an incentive for multiplex development.
"For tearing down existing housing stock and replacing that housing stock, some of which is out best affordable housing, with one of these plexes," says Hoffmann.
Hoffmann also proposed an amendment on accessory dwelling units, or a secondary house or apartment that shares a lot with a bigger house. He says some think the draft is too restrictive limiting ADUs to 1 bedroom and 440 square feet.
Commission member Brad Wisler proposed an amendment categorizing livestock by size and weight rather than species. Other members proposed amendments from impervious surface regulations, historic preservation demolition, and clarity on where new mix-use student housing zones will be located.
Residents who spoke during the public comment period pointed out inconsistencies of lot size guidelines.
City Council-elect Kate Rosenbarger says smaller lots give more people an opportunity to afford their own home.
"It helps retirees stay there and age in place. We hear a lot of folks, even Millennials say I don’t want a yard anymore, or I don’t want a yard at all and I want a small house because I want to be out socializing," says Rosenbarger.
The Plan Commission will discuss, hear public comment, and vote on the new amendments Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at city hall.
