Several developers have applied to build multifamily housing, or duplexes, in Bloomington’s single-family neighborhoods since last summer. One project is clear to proceed, and more are coming.
The duplex debate dominated local government meetings for three years. It spanned two city councils and often led to meetings that stretched into the early hours of the morning. Council blocked duplexes from single-family neighborhoods in 2019, but legalized them with approval from the board of zoning appeals May 2021.
As part of the agreement, city staff must present an update to council every six months. In total, the city has talked to 29 developers about duplexes, with one approved in August. However, development services manager Jackie Scanlan said two more are on the way.
READ MORE: Bloomington approves first duplex in single-family neighborhood
“Our second and third requests for duplexes will be heard by the board of zoning appeals in the next couple of months,” Scanlan said.
The duplex project approved in August is in the Green Acres neighborhood, immediately east of the IU campus.
Under Bloomington code, the city can authorize the conversion of 15 single-family homes into duplexes each year.
