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County approves rezoning of Maple Grove Baby Farms area with exclusions for several multifamily parcels
Summary
The county commissioners approved rezoning of the Maple Grove Baby Farms area from HD to RES, following the Planning Commission's recommendation and excluding specified multifamily or higher-impervious parcels to avoid creating new nonconformities.
The Monroe County Board of Commissioners approved ordinance 2025-12 on April 17 to rezone most parcels in the Maple Grove Baby Farms area from HD (High Development) to RES (Residential 1), following the Planning Commission’s positive recommendation with conditions.
County planner Sean Smith presented the petition and staff analysis, noting the area comprises roughly 38 parcels (32 unique lots after deduplication) and that many lots do not currently have sewer access. Smith and planning staff said roughly 71% of parcels would conform to the RES impervious-cover limit under current rules, while nearly all parcels conform under HD; staff also noted a pending countywide amendment that could raise the RES impervious-cover cap and reduce nonconformity.
The Planning Commission recommended excluding multiple existing multifamily properties from the rezoning to avoid creating use nonconformities; the properties identified included 101 South Fairfield Drive, 2542 West Evergreen Drive, 415 North Kimball Drive, 215 North Johnson Avenue, 3205 North Johnson Avenue, 2312 West Beaumont Lane and 120 South Kimball Drive.
Speakers at the meeting included residents and preservation advocates who said the area contains naturally occurring affordable housing, ingrained community networks and small-scale agriculture. Opponents, including a representative from the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, argued downzoning reduces future housing options and could constrain creative housing solutions.
Regency Hadley Village representatives asked the board to formally exclude adjacent parcels (including 111 North Kimball) so those parcels could be used to provide amenities and improve compliance for an existing multi-unit development; the board’s motion incorporated the Planning Commission’s suggested exclusions.
Commissioners Thomas and Jones voted to approve the rezoning as amended; Commissioner Madera voted no on the motion. Planning staff will implement the map change and said the amendment would be noted in county records; property owners remain subject to nonconforming-use rules if they do not pursue new permits.
The board’s action was recorded as ordinance 2025-12 (Maple Grove Baby Farms rezone).
