Bloomington City Council Meeting: February 23, 2026 - Appointments, Affordable Housing, and Housing Ordinances
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Bloomington City Council Meeting - February 23, 2026
The Bloomington City Council met on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included a proclamation for Black History Month, appointments to multiple boards and commissions, a presentation of the 2026 Creative Placemaking Work Plan, consent business, two public hearings (a 180-unit affordable housing development on Lyndale Avenue and the Missing Middle Housing Phase Two ordinance), and proposed fee increases for community development services. All votes were 6-0 unless otherwise noted.
Proclamation for Black History Month
- Mayor Tim Bussi read a proclamation declaring February 2026 as Black History Month, highlighting the contributions of Black Americans and the city's Bloomington Pioneers and Changemakers profile series.
- Catherine Murray (Creative Placemaking Specialist and member of the Bloomington Black Employee Network) delivered remarks emphasizing truth-telling as resistance, and noted the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
- Several community members were recognized.
Appointments to Boards and Commissions (Items 2.2 – 2.7)
- Advisory Board of Health (Item 2.2): Appointed Sophia Pearson (consumer member), Mariah Grant and Cheryl Satterstrom (provider members) for terms March 1, 2026 – February 28, 2029. Councilmember Carter reported strong applicant pool and focus on mental health, social isolation, cannabis, and infectious diseases.
- Creative Placemaking Commission (Item 2.3): Reappointed Julie Gustavson; appointed Michael Gonzalvus and Dario Belladello for three-year terms. Councilmember Dalessandro noted eight applicants and focus on artistic and educational perspectives.
- Human Rights Commission (Item 2.4): Reappointed Baron Lewis; appointed Anna Decker and Jay Holmes for three-year terms.
- Parks, Arts and Recreation Commission (Item 2.5): Appointed Natalie Rooney for a three-year term. Councilmember Nelson reported 14 applicants with 10 interviews; Rooney's broad understanding of parks and arts stood out.
- Sustainability Commission (Item 2.6): Reappointed Sean McFarling and Bene Acaria for three-year terms. Councilmember Robertson noted six applicants with strong technical expertise; both reappointees bring institutional knowledge.
Creative Placemaking Commission 2026 Work Plan (Item 2.7)
- Director Alejandra Polinka and Commission Chair Jamie Schumacher presented highlights from 2025 and plans for 2026, including new murals at Bloomington Ice Garden, Hometown Poetry Stamps, a garden kaleidoscope at Civic Plaza, and South Loop projects such as lighting upgrades and events.
- The work plan contributes to city goals of economic vitality, public health, and community connection.
- Councilmember Nelson asked about encouraging private investment; staff cited mural ordinance changes and code adjustments for sculptures. Staff also exploring artist live-work spaces.
- The work plan was approved 6-0.
Consent Business (Item 3)
- Councilmember Dalessandro moved to adopt Items 3.1 through 3.8. Approved 6-0.
Public Hearing: Wix and Site Redevelopment (Item 4.1)
- Proposal: Real Estate Equities Inc. proposes a four-story, 180-unit affordable multifamily development at 9955–10029 Lyndale Avenue South. Unit mix: 36 one-bedroom, 104 two-bedroom, 43 three-bedroom; affordability 30%-70% AMI. Density ~47 units/acre. Parking: 295 spaces (with OHO incentives). Park dedication estimated at $310,000.
- Staff Presentation: Emily Hessback (Planning) and Kirk Roberts (Traffic Engineer) presented. The project requires a comprehensive plan amendment, rezoning, preliminary and final development plans, and a plat. Staff recommended approval. Traffic impact: 866 new daily trips (low to moderate). No safety or capacity issues identified on Lyndale Avenue; future pedestrian improvements planned.
- Public Comments:
- Nativity of Mary Parish/School representative: Expressed concerns about pedestrian safety, inadequate sidewalks (5-foot width, missing link on 99th Street), and people cutting through their parking lot to access transit. Requested improved infrastructure (lighting, cameras, fence). Stated desire for affordable housing cannot trump public safety.
- Daniel McGraw (Gill Brothers Funeral Chapels, adjacent property owner): Not opposed to development but concerned about the scale and deviation from zoning standards (setback, height). Asked what conditions justify the departures and warned of precedent.
- Steve Furlong (resident, Nativity family): Opposed the 19.5-foot setback, called it a fundamental change to the neighborhood. Asked council to consider safety for children at nearby school.
- Doug Paulson (resident east of site): Asked about setback on east side (30 feet) and potential impacts on property values and crime.
- Council Discussion:
- Questions about traffic modeling, stormwater management (on-site retention), pedestrian behavior (cut-throughs), and financing (TIFF sought).
- Councilmember Carter noted a missing sidewalk link on 99th Street; staff confirmed it is on the north side and expensive to fill due to retaining wall.
- Councilmember Dalessandro questioned the justification for the reduced setback (19.5 feet vs. 40 feet required) and why mixed-use not considered. Staff responded that the setback aligns with other recent approvals (Oxboro Heights, Lindale Flats) and that mixed-use is challenging with affordable housing.
- Councilmember Nelson expressed skepticism about TIFF and noted OHO application did not originally indicate TIFF; encouraged accurate upfront disclosures.
- Actions (all 6-0):
- Adopted Resolution approving comprehensive plan amendment to reguide 9955 Lyndale from General Business to High Density Residential.
- Adopted Ordinance rezoning 9955 Lyndale from B2 to RM50 PD, and five other parcels from R1 to RM50 PD.
- Adopted Resolution authorizing summary publication of the rezoning ordinance.
- Approved Preliminary and Final Development Plans subject to conditions.
- Approved Type 3 Preliminary and Final Plat combining the six parcels.
Public Hearing: Missing Middle Housing Phase Two Ordinance (Item 4.2)
- Proposal: Establish definitions, use allowances, and performance standards for five missing middle housing types: three-family dwelling, four-plex, detached townhomes, cottage courts, and multiplex. Rename R3 to Middle Housing Residential District; update RM12 to RM15. Update setbacks, density, parking, and site standards.
- Public Comment: Steve Furlong (advocate for homeownership) spoke in support, citing market data (average home price $377,000 in Bloomington; one-month supply). He noted that triplexes and quads can help buyers qualify using rental income and foster attainable homeownership.
- Council Discussion:
- Councilmember Nelson proposed amendments: allow cottage courts as a permitted use in R1, and make detached townhomes a conditional use in R1 (rather than permitted). He expressed concern about three-story detached townhomes in single-family neighborhoods.
- Councilmember Dalessandro supported proactive communication with neighbors and suggested a pre-approved plan approach to speed permitting.
- Staff noted the standards were developed specifically for the districts and a simple swap may require additional adjustments.
- Outcome: Motion to continue the item to March 23, 2026, with direction to staff: add a permitted (P) use for cottage courts in R1 and a conditional (C) use for detached townhomes in R1, and flesh out conditions for the conditional use. Passed 6-0.
Proposed Fee Increases for Community Development (Item 5.1)
- Building Inspections fees last updated 2017; Planning fees last updated 2010. Proposed increases: trade permit base fees up $10; building permit minimum up $10; valuation-based fee chart adjusted (example: new single-family home fee increase of $80.76, 2.88%). Planning fees: administrative final site plans from $130 to $250; conditional use permits from $220 to $400; variances from $220 to $400; final site/building plans at Planning Commission from $130 to $500.
- Staff noted state law requires fees to be fair and proportionate to cost of service. Peer city comparisons were provided.
- Council supported regular updates (every 3 years) and delayed effective date to at least June 1, 2026, for public notice. A public hearing will be scheduled.
Council Policy and Issue Updates
- Mayor recapped a listening session earlier that evening with six speakers on immigration enforcement; conversation will continue.
- Port Authority approved $400,000 in emergency funding for small businesses (budget reallocation).
- Community Development department collected over 1,700 items (900+ pounds) for food drive.
- Councilmember Carter and Nelson discussed exploring zoning moratoriums for detention centers and tracking state legislation on immigration.
Key Outcomes
- All board/commission appointments approved (6-0).
- Creative Placemaking 2026 Work Plan approved (6-0).
- Wix site redevelopment approved in full (5 separate 6-0 votes).
- Missing Middle Housing Phase Two ordinance continued to March 23 with specific amendments.
- Fee increases to be scheduled for public hearing with council support for regular updates and delayed implementation.
- Council to continue discussion on immigration enforcement and consider moratorium options.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone, and welcome. I will call this Bloomington City Council meeting to order. Tonight is Monday, February 23rd. Thank you all for joining us here in the council chambers, and thanks to everybody watching online. We will begin our council meeting as we always do. If you are able, please stand, remove any head coverings, and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. Once again, welcome. Council, thanks for being here tonight. Our last meeting in February of this year. Thanks to everybody who is here. Items two point two through two point seven. We're going to be making appointments. Two point two is appointments to our advisory board of health, two point three, creative placemaking commission, two point four human rights commission, two point five Parks, Arts and Recreation Commission, two point six sustainability commission, and two point seven Bloomington Creative Placemaking Commission. Under item four, our hearings resolutions and ordinances. Dalessandrous? Aye. Nelson, Robertson, aye, Carter. Aye, Mayor Bussi. Aye. Motion carries 6-0, and we have an agenda for this evening. And our first item on that agenda is a proclamation for Black History Month, and I am gonna head down to the Dais and make this presentation. But I'm gonna take my computer with me because I don't think I have the proclamation. Do you have the proclamation is there? Very good. Thank you. Please do, yes. Everybody can get inside in behind if you'd like to uh join me up here this evening. The cameras with the uh the one with the red light on. Now neither of them has red light on. There's the camera, so make sure you can see the camera. This is a proclamation for Black History Month, February 2026. Whereas Dr. Carter G. Woodson, founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History in 1915, initiated Negro History Week in 1926 as a way of highlighting the involvement and accomplishments of black Americans in the development of our nation's democracy. And whereas, as part of the national the nation's bicentennial, Negro History Week was expanded to Black History Month in 1976. And whereas during Black History Month, we acknowledge, honor, and celebrate the many achievements and contributions made by Black Americans to our nation's economic, cultural, spiritual, and political development. And whereas observing Black History Month provides us with an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Black History as American history in the United States and to acknowledge the centuries of struggles for equality and freedom as well as the achievements and successes. And whereas in 2021, to celebrate Black History Month, the Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging introduced Bloomington Pioneers and Changemakers, a profile series featuring local black leaders who are working to advance civil rights and remove barriers to equity. And whereas in this annual profile series, the city honors pioneers who have done much, so much to chart the path to where we are today and change makers who are paving the way for future generations. And whereas each year we will continue to highlight and honor dedicated black leaders in the city of Bloomington. Now, therefore, I, Mayor Tim Bussi, do hereby proclaim February 2026 as Black History Month in the City of Bloomington, dated this 23rd day of February 2026. I want to thank you all for joining me here this evening. Thank you for standing up here with me and being recognized for Black History Month. I'd like to introduce now Catherine Murray. She is a creative placemaking specialist in community development, a member of the Bloomington Black Employee Network, and she's gonna offer some remarks. Please thank you. Good evening, Mayor Bussy, Council members. Thank you for the opportunity to speak and accept this proclamation marking the hundred years of Black History Month commemorations. As I prepare today, I reflected on how we reached a moment when voices that speak truth are stifled, and stories that speak justice and truth are banned.
openpublica.com