Bloomington council adopts standardized housing incentive program to spur varied development

The City of Bloomington Council voted to adopt an ordinance establishing a standardized housing incentive program designed to encourage multiple housing types, including senior housing, historic-rehabilitation projects, low-income housing and market-rate units.

City Manager Jeff Jurgens told the council the program had been developed with stakeholder input and was intended to “cast a wide net” for developers, including those using tax-credit financing. He said a developer familiar with tax-credit projects received the Committee of the Whole presentation favorably and indicated interest in working in Bloomington.

Council Member Ward moved approval; Council Member Hendricks seconded. Council roll-call votes were recorded as all yeses, and the mayor announced “all yeses, no nays to announce.” The ordinance had been discussed at the prior Committee of the Whole meeting and staff said a media plan will publicize the program to developers.

Public commenters at the meeting included Karen Staley Lander, who spoke on behalf of the Mid-Illinois Realtors Association and praised the city for taking steps to increase housing inventory. She said a lack of housing inventory is a leading driver of affordability problems and commended staff, naming City Manager Jeff Jurgens and Senior Deputy City Manager Billy Tias for collaboration with stakeholders.

The council and staff said they expect the program to spur development across the community and will monitor outreach and responses from developers.