Bloomington Common Council Regular Session – March 26, 2026

The Bloomington Common Council met on March 26, 2026, to address a full agenda including approval of prior meeting minutes, reports from council members and city commissions, a presentation on the Parks and Recreation master plan, and the second reading of Ordinance 2026-06 concerning the Hopewell South planned unit development (PUD). A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to debating and voting on proposed reasonable conditions for the PUD, amid conflicting legal opinions from the corporation counsel and council members over the council's authority to impose such conditions. The meeting concluded with the postponement of both Ordinance 2026-06 and Resolution 2026-05 to the April 1, 2026 meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from the September 24, 2025 Committee of the Whole meeting by a unanimous vote.
• Approved the 2026 funding recommendations from the Pedestrian Safety Committee (formerly the Sidewalk Committee) unanimously.
• Approved a job description for the Council Attorney and Director of Common Council Office, and authorized the hiring committee to contract with external vendors or temporary legal counsel.

Reports and Presentations

• Council Member Report (Councilmember Sasper): Presented a draft priorities memo for budget discussions, based on a prior deliberation session and council survey. Discussion included rewording item #7 to "additional options other than uniformed police officers" for nonviolent issues.
• Council Member Report (Councilmember Piedmont Smith): Announced a waste reduction grant opportunity (deadline May 17) and ongoing work on a community-wide public safety plan.
• Parks and Recreation Director Tim Street: Presented highlights from the master plan process, including a statistically valid community survey (405 respondents, margin of error <5%). Key findings: 90% support for parks; top priorities are trails (75%), open space (61%), park/trail amenities (60%). Draft goals focus on community impact, critical investment, financial sustainability, and strong staff.
• Human Rights Commission: Chair Emma Williams reported 18 discrimination investigations and 83 inquiries in 2025, with an uptick in LGBTQ+ cases. Commission strategic goals for 2026 include expanding education and outreach.
• Commission on Hispanic and Latina Affairs: Chair Claudia presented efforts in access (workshops, FAFSA support), partnerships (mental health forum), and belonging (community events). Future plans include a Latino Recognition Award.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Multiple community members spoke during public comment periods:
  • Christopher MG (Chamber of Commerce) promoted upcoming workshops and volunteer opportunities.
  • Matt Caldy announced the Environmental Commission's EcoHeroes art contest (theme: nature at night).
  • Christopher advocated for city-grown food.
  • Brianna, a social work student and survivor of childhood hoarding, requested guidance on city resources for families in hoarding situations.
  • A citizen delivered a critique of capitalism and urged democratic economic priorities.
• During the Hopewell PUD discussion, several speakers addressed the permanent affordability conditions:
  • Ryan Langley (loan officer) warned that deed restrictions can limit financing options.
  • Ryan Still (Summit Hill CDC) encouraged flexible affordability mechanisms.
  • Sarah Wolford (Habitat for Humanity) shared local success with silent second mortgages and right of first refusal.
  • Paul Russo questioned the lack of permanent affordability given city land ownership.
  • Aaron Comforti (McDoel Gardens resident) supported more permanently affordable units and density.

Discussion Items

Ordinance 2026-06: Hopewell South PUD

• Initial Presentation: Mayor Carrie Thompson urged the council to approve the PUD as certified by the Plan Commission, emphasizing it as a community-driven project focused on affordability and walkability. Corporation Counsel Margie Rice then provided legal analysis: only 4 of the 13 proposed reasonable conditions (RCs) were consistent with the certified PUD (RCs 1, 2, 5, 6); the remaining 9 constituted impermissible amendments under Indiana law and case law (Misty Woods). She stated the RDC (petitioner) had not agreed to those amendments and therefore they could not be imposed.
• Council Debate: Councilmembers raised conflicting legal interpretations:
  • Councilmember Flaherty cited past PUD approvals (2016–2024) where similar reasonable conditions were imposed with petitioner agreement, arguing that the council has authority under IC 36-7-4-1512 to impose reasonable conditions. He noted that in Misty Woods, the petitioner's acquiescence was deemed agreement.
  • Councilmember Stasberg questioned how the RDC's position could be known without a formal vote, and proposed postponing to resolve the legal dispute.
  • Councilmember Rosenbarger suggested the council should seek independent legal counsel.
• Proposed Reasonable Conditions Voting:
  • RC #1 (Stasberg): Update allowed use table to reflect residential project goals. Passed unanimously.
  • RC #2 (Stasberg): Require a rational phasing plan. Passed unanimously.
  • RC #6 (Flaherty): All-electric buildings (space/water heating, cooking). Passed 9-0.
  • RC #5 (Zulik): Permanent affordability for 15% of units at 120% AMI, using silent second mortgages or right of first refusal. Failed 6-3 (Stasberg, Piedmont Smith, Rahlo, Rough, Rosenbarger, Flaherty opposed; Zulik, Sorry?, Daly in favor – actual tally from transcript: "Stasberg no, Piedmont Smith no, Zulik yes, sorry? yes, Daly yes, Rahlo no, rough no, Rosenbarger no, Clarity no" – that's 3 yes, 6 no).
• Motion to Postpone: Councilmember Rahlo moved to postpone the entire ordinance until April 1, 2026. After debate citing need for legal clarity on remaining RCs and desire for greater permanent affordability (RC #4 still on table), the motion carried 6-3 (Piedmont Smith, Rahlo, Rough, Rosenbarger, Flaherty, Stasberg in favor; Zulik, Sorry?, Daly opposed).

Resolution 2026-05: UDO Amendments for Sustainability and Housing Affordability

• Councilmember Flaherty presented the resolution, which would direct the Plan Commission to propose amendments to reduce minimum lot sizes/widths, add building electrification incentives, and eliminate minimum parking requirements. He noted the resolution initiates a process, not final policy.
• A motion to postpone to April 1 was made and carried 9-0 (with support from the sponsor to allow more time for review).

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved (unanimous).
• Pedestrian Safety Committee funding recommendations approved (unanimous).
• Council Attorney job description approved (unanimous).
• Hiring committee authorized to contract with external vendors/temporary legal counsel (unanimous).
• Appointment: Carrie Champion appointed to Historic Preservation Commission (unanimous).
• Removal process initiated: A final letter will be sent to Drew Heron before potential removal from Historic Preservation Commission (unanimous).
• Hopewell South PUD (Ordinance 2026-06) postponed to April 1, 2026 (vote 6-3).
• Resolution 2026-05 postponed to April 1, 2026 (vote 9-0).
• Next meeting scheduled for April 1, 2026; also noted fiscal committee meeting on the Friday prior and hiring committee meeting on the following Thursday.