Monroe County Commissioners voted 2-to-1 last Thursday to downzone over 200 properties in the Sunset Hill and Maple Grove Baby Farms neighborhoods.
The properties were originally zoned High Development (HD), which allows multi-use developments. The properties were zoned HD by the City of Bloomington when each area was intended for annexation. Downzoning is lowering the number of housing units that can be on a particular piece of land.
The properties are now Residential One (R1), which prioritizes historic, single-family homes.
Margaret Clements, president of the county Plan Commission, spoke in favor of downzoning. Clements said residents who live in those neighborhoods have been trying to preserve their way of life ever since Bloomington attempted to annex the areas.
“They have expressed their will to remain as they are and not become part of the city,” she said.
Christopher Emge, senior director of government and community relations for the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, said downzoning was “a solution looking for a problem.”
“These rezonings are unnecessary, reduce housing capacity in very urbanized areas, hinder economic growth,” he said.
Commissioner Jody Madeira voted against downzoning.
Madeira said while the process to downzone was transparent, she remains concerned about properties already purchased for development. She also said she respects the opinions of residents who currently live in both neighborhoods but that the county needs to serve everyone.
Properties located between 717-725 S. Anna Lee Lane are excluded from downzoning because they are already multi-family areas.
The same goes for 101 S. Fairfield Dr., 2542 W. Evergreen Dr., 415 N. Kimble Dr., 215 N. Johnson Ave., 325 N. Johnson Ave., 2312 W. Beaumont Ln., and 120 South Kimble Dr.