The Bloomington city council is postponing a vote on a proposal for a pilot program that would allow a limited number of accessory dwelling units also known as Granny Flats in the city. Accessory dwellings are small additional housing units on a property that can include detached living spaces, units over garages, and basement apartments.
The city's proposed pilot program would allow 30 units after which the program would come under review.
Mayor John Hamilton asked the council to approve the pilot program as part of a comprehensive plan to ease the housing burden in the city.
"I urge you to let this experiment proceed, in its very limited description and let's come back and see what we learned."
Bloomington resident Jenny Southern says she worries about the unintended consequences of the proposal.
"I feel if there is an ADU next door, it races the price of a by-in for a family. You've changed if from a house to an income property."
The council decided to delay voting on the proposal until their September 6 meeting. The council did approve another housing change that would allow pocket neighborhoods, which is a grouping of smaller houses, often around a shared green space.