Bloomington City Council Meeting – May 7, 2026: Hopewell PUD Approved, Cottage Grove Delayed
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Bloomington City Council Meeting – May 7, 2026
The Bloomington City Council met at 6:03 PM on May 7, 2026 (the transcript references May 6, creating a date discrepancy). The meeting featured a report from Canopy Bloomington, extensive deliberation and final approval of the Hopewell Planned Unit Development (Ordinance 2026-06), and the introduction of several other ordinances, including the Cottage Grove Conservation District.
Canopy Bloomington Report
- Executive Director Ava Hartman reported on 2025 accomplishments: 1,400 volunteer hours, 300 active volunteers, engagement with 1,500 households across five neighborhoods, and planting 256 trees. In spring 2026 alone, 248 trees were planted. The organization also runs a youth tree tender program, partners with the city on the Cool Corridor program, and hosted 18 educational events. Councilmember Osari asked about volunteer pipelines; Hartman noted student groups from IU are a major source.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Zach Muller spoke about dangerous conditions at the intersection of Morningside Drive and Smith Road. He reported that during a recent presentation, 23 vehicles ran the stop sign, a child was struck six months ago, and a dead cat was found in the crosswalk. He urged for enforcement and safety measures.
- Paul Rousseau read excerpts from a speech by Canadian NDP leader Avi Lewis, advocating for public ownership, taxing corporations, and investing in social programs. He did not address Bloomington-specific issues.
- Several residents spoke during the Cottage Grove discussion (see below).
Hopewell PUD (Ordinance 2026-06)
Discussion and Approval of Reasonable Conditions
- The council first voted to hear the ordinance ahead of other first readings. A motion to reconsider and withdraw Reasonable Condition 6 (all-electric construction) passed 9-0 after Councilmember Flaherty explained it was better as a written commitment due to state law concerns.
- Written Commitment 1 (energy efficiency and electrification) was adopted 9-0. Director Killian Hansen explained that a HERS score of 65 is aggressive for small homes and added cost. Councilmember Flaherty expressed dissatisfaction with the target but supported it.
- Three affordability-focused reasonable conditions (4, 15, 16) were merged into Reasonable Condition 17 after extensive debate. The final version set at least 35% of dwelling units as permanently affordable (with a goal of 50%), with 15% reserved for households ≤90% AMI and 20% for ≤120% AMI. Councilmember Piedmont Smith introduced the compromise, which included a six-month reporting requirement for five years. The condition passed 6-3 (Rahlo, Ruff, Stasberg dissenting).
- Final adoption of the PUD ordinance with all reasonable conditions and written commitments passed 9-0.
Key Issues Raised
- Mayor Thompson and Controller McKim warned that high affordability requirements could require public subsidies beyond the RDC’s capacity.
- Councilmember Stasberg expressed concern about the lack of a detailed implementation plan for affordability mechanisms.
- Councilmember Flaherty noted that the PUD was not code-compliant when submitted, contributing to delays.
Cottage Grove Conservation District (Ordinance 2026-07) – First Reading
- Presentation: Noah Sandweiss outlined the proposed district of 122 properties, noting its significance for early 20th-century architecture and history (workers’ housing for Showers Furniture and limestone industry). Regulation would be less stringent than a historic district, focusing on demolition, moving, and new construction visible from public ways.
- Public Comments: Testimony was split. Dr. John Butler and many neighbors supported designation as a way to preserve affordable housing and character. Jordan Evans (Old Northeast Neighborhood Association) opposed, citing lack of consultation and potential rent increases. Several homeowners and renters argued that the protections prevent demolition of naturally occurring affordable housing.
- Council Discussion: Councilmember Stasberg noted that 29% of owners live outside Bloomington and 13% out of state. Councilmember Flaherty raised concerns about burdens on non-contributing structures. A motion to postpone the vote to May 20 passed 5-4. The ordinance will be heard again at the next regular meeting.
Technical Corrections Ordinances (First Readings)
- The council introduced four ordinances (2026-08, 09, 10, 11) to amend the Unified Development Ordinance with technical corrections. They were read by title and synopsis and passed first readings unanimously (9-0) without substantive discussion.
Resolution 2026-05 (Failed)
- Councilmember Flaherty attempted to introduce a resolution but the motion failed on a roll-call vote (no recorded tally, several members voted no).
Key Outcomes
- Approved: Ordinance 2026-06 (Hopewell PUD) with 9-0 final vote; reasonable conditions and written commitment as amended.
- Postponed: Ordinance 2026-07 (Cottage Grove Conservation District) to May 20, 2026, after a 5-4 vote.
- Introduced and Passed First Readings: Ordinances 2026-08 through 2026-11 (UDO technical corrections).
- Failed: Introduction of Resolution 2026-05.
- Miscellaneous: A motion to submit an outside counsel memo to the minutes was withdrawn after discussion about attorney-client privilege. Councilmember Rosenbarger announced a forthcoming ordinance to create pedestrian zones on Kirkwood Avenue, possibly voted on May 20.
Next Regular Meeting: May 20, 2026, at 6:30 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Hello everyone, welcome to our regularly scheduled May 6th City Council meeting. Um will the lovely and generous clerk please call the roll. Piedmont Smith. Here. Zurich, here. Sorry. Here. Daily? Here. Rahlo? Here. Rough? Here. Rosenbarger. Here. Thank you. Great. At this time, is there any motion to change the agenda? I thank you. I do have a motion. I move to hear ordinance 2026-06 before we move to first readings. Second. Okay, there's been a motion and a second to hear ordinance 202606 ahead of number six legislation for first readings on the agenda. So all in favor, please say aye. Aye. All opposed, same sign. Great. That passes. And then I will go through the agenda summation. First we have minutes for approval, and then we'll go to reports from council members, and then we have a report from Canopy Bloomington, Council Committees. We will go to our first period of general public comment, and then we have appointments to boards and commissions. And then we'll start with ordinance 202606 in regard to what many people know as Hopewell. And then we will have our legislation for first ratings, including ordinance 2026-07 to amend Title VIII of the Bloomington Municipal Code entitled Historic Preservation and Protection, and to establish a conservation district, Cottage Grove Conservation District. And Ordinance 2026 11 amending and providing technical corrections to Chapter 2. Then we will go to ordinant legislation for second readings and resolutions. And finally, we will have additional public comment, council schedule, and then we will adjourn. And that took a really long time. Second. Okay, there's been a motion and a second. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Thank you. All those opposed. Great. That passes. And now we will move on to reports from council members. Any council members who would like to make a report tonight. Councilmember Rosenberger. Hi, thank you. I wanted to say the city has some new LPIs around town, quite a few, actually leading pedestrial intervals at stop lights.
openpublica.com