Council preliminarily finds Union at Crescent noncompliant, schedules July 30 hearing

The Bloomington Common Council voted unanimously on a preliminary finding that Union at Crescent has not substantially complied with its statement of benefits under previously granted tax abatements and set a public hearing for July 30, 2025, to examine the matter in full.

Council member Daley moved the preliminary finding, saying staff review indicated the developer had failed to meet occupancy and affordability commitments; the motion passed on a roll‑call vote of 9–0. Attorney Lehner told the council this preliminary vote is a statutory step that allows a fuller hearing, evidence and counsel to be presented before a final determination is made.

The subsequent motion to schedule the hearing instructs staff to provide the property owner with notice listing the council’s basis for the determination, specifically noting an alleged failure to allocate at least 70% of units to households at or below 60% of area median income (AMI). The hearing will take place during the council’s regular session beginning at 6:30 p.m. on July 30, 2025.

Council members then moved and approved findings of compliance or substantial compliance for the other properties in the 2025 annual tax abatement report, also by unanimous vote. Jane Cooper Smith, director of Economic and Sustainable Development, said staff had previously reviewed each abatement and recommended the compliance findings to the council; she noted representatives of the property owners and Housing & Neighborhood Development were present for follow‑up questions.

Next steps: the July 30 hearing will allow the council to evaluate evidence, hear the property owner and counsel, and decide whether remedies such as rescinding an abatement, finding noncompliance for a single year, or other actions are warranted.