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Bloomington council approves relaxed corner‑lot standards to ease infill development
Summary
The Bloomington City Council voted 6–1 on June 15 to amend corner‑lot standards, reducing side‑street setbacks and lowering minimum lot sizes to encourage infill and accessory dwelling units. Residents raised concerns about notice and neighbor impacts; staff said variance processes remain available.
The Bloomington City Council on June 15 adopted an ordinance that loosens long‑standing corner‑lot rules to make infill development and accessory dwelling units easier to build.
City planner (Miss Hesbeck) told the council the amendment lowers the required side‑street setback from 30 feet to 20 feet, reduces minimum lot area and width for single‑ and two‑family corner lots, and clarifies new definitions for side‑street yards. The planning commission recommended approval 5–0.
Resident Brian Savig told the council he worried the change favors property owners at the expense of adjacent neighbors, saying the rule change could allow structures to be placed closer to his home and reduce his neighbors’ voice in development decisions. “We’re changing the rules that people bought property under,” Savig said during public comment.
Council members debated notice and the variance process. Council member Dan D’Alessandro said better early notice to neighborhoods would reduce surprise and conflict, urging staff to improve outreach. Council member Lohmann said he supported the direction but was not yet fully convinced the changes would solve affordability or ADU goals.
Mayor Tim Bussey said the council considered neighborhood impacts and retained setbacks to preserve buffers. The ordinance passed 6–1, with Council member Lohmann casting the lone no vote. The council also approved a resolution for summary publication of the ordinance unanimously.
What happens next: the ordinance will be published in summary and implementation will follow city code procedures; property owners seeking exceptions still may use the established variance process.
