Bloomington council narrows where storage, fuel and car-oriented uses can locate

In a move city officials said is meant to prioritize housing and street-activated uses over low-activity commercial sites, the Bloomington Common Council adopted several Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) changes on Aug. 6 that limit where self-service storage, vehicle fuel stations and vehicle washes may locate.

Development Services Manager Eric Gruelick told the council the package narrows the districts for a number of vehicle-oriented and storage uses "to just the MC zoning districts" and adds targeted use-specific standards. On the self-service storage amendment he said the proposal would allow the use "in the MC Zoning District only" and, in the Mixed Use Student Housing District, only as an accessory use if there are more than 20 dwelling units. He also described a maximum footprint standard: "not be more than 1,500 square feet or 20% of the property, whichever is less." (Eric Gruelick, Development Services Manager)

Why it matters

Council members framed the change as a modest step to keep marginal land…