{"source":"Bloomington AI — bloomingtonai.com/faq","count":8,"meetings":[{"meeting":{"videoId":"iIlHnoxGJFY","body":"council","date":"2026-10-12","title":"October 12, 2026 Bloomington City Council Meeting","video":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIlHnoxGJFY"},"questions":[{"question":"What does the expanded Axon police contract add, and who can see the data?","answer":"It adds Drone First Responder and a fixed-wing drone to the license plate readers, and the chief said the data is held by Axon while the city controls who is credentialed to see it, with access logged and audited. The council approved the 10-year, $22.1 million agreement 7-0. The chief said BPD chose not to use Flock. State law bars police drones without a warrant except in listed cases, such as emergencies, requires public comment and a posted drone policy, and requires drone data be deleted within seven days unless it's part of an active investigation. A 2025 audit of BPD's Axon body cameras found no discrepancies.","asked_by":"Councilmember Carter (pulled the item from consent); Councilmember Dallessandro","ts":1477,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIlHnoxGJFY&t=1477s","in_room":"Police Chief Booker Hodges said the contract adds drone-as-first-responder and translation and dispatch tools; that the data sits on Axon's servers while the city controls who is credentialed to see it; that every view is logged; that audits are posted on the city's website; and that officers who misuse the data would be fired. He said he chose not to use Flock over its data-sharing protocols. The council approved the agreement 7-0.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"Approved 7-0: a 10-year, $22.1 million Axon agreement that keeps the license plate readers and adds Drone First Responder and a fixed-wing drone. State law bars police drones without a warrant except in listed cases, such as emergencies, and requires drone data be deleted within seven days unless it's part of an active investigation. A 2025 audit of BPD's Axon body cameras found access limited by job, logged and with no discrepancies.","facts":["police-tech/what-is-in-the-axon-agreement-bloomington-police-brought-to-","police-tech/what-limits-does-minnesota-law-put-on-police-drones","police-tech/does-minnesota-law-require-public-comment-before-police-use","police-tech/what-did-bloomington-s-2026-police-drone-pilot-find","police-tech/what-did-the-latest-audit-of-bloomington-police-body-cameras","police-tech/how-long-can-minnesota-police-keep-license-plate-reader-data"]},{"question":"Can residents find out when their street is due for a PMP project and an assessment?","answer":"Roughly. The PMP StoryMap shows possible projects for the next five years and the next three projected years, though it was last updated in April 2025; Engineering (952-563-4870) can confirm. Staff said residents also get survey letters about two years ahead. For the 2026 roll adopted Oct. 12, owners can prepay with no interest until Nov. 24, 2026; after that the balance goes on property taxes over 10 years at 5.5%.","asked_by":"Councilmember Dallessandro","ts":3003,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIlHnoxGJFY&t=3003s","in_room":"Staff said engineering tracks a five-year plan but would have to double-check whether it's on the city's online maps. Staff said residents get survey letters about two years before a project, and the mayor suggested more active notice a year or two ahead.","status":"answered-uncertain","our_answer":"Yes, roughly. The city's Pavement Management Program StoryMap has a five-year map of possible future overlays, reconstructions and trail projects, plus a map of the next three projected years. It was last updated in April 2025, so call Engineering at 952-563-4870 to confirm. For this year's roll, adopted Oct. 12, owners can pay before Nov. 24, 2026, with no interest; otherwise it's spread over 10 years at 5.5%.","facts":["assessments/can-residents-see-which-streets-may-get-pmp-work-in-coming-y","assessments/what-are-the-payment-terms-for-the-2026-pmp-street-assessmen","assessments/how-long-do-owners-have-to-appeal-a-special-assessment-in-mi"]},{"question":"Is the 40-foot height cap on James Avenue CityHomes common, and would other R-3 lots on the block get it?","answer":"Staff knew of no past case of the city capping height below what code allows, and other R-3 lots on the block wouldn't get it automatically. R-3 allows 50 feet; the 40-foot cap is a condition on this project's site and building plans, which the developer agreed to on the record. Staff said other R-3 projects would get conditions case by case. The council approved the rezoning, plans and plat 5-2, with Dallessandro and Carter opposed.","asked_by":"Councilmember Lowman","ts":3508,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIlHnoxGJFY&t=3508s","in_room":"Planner Liz O'Day said she knew of no past case of the city capping height below what code allows. Planning Manager Nick Johnson said other R-3 projects would get conditions case by case through public review, and that single-family homes usually run 32 to 35 feet. The developer agreed on the record to 40 feet.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"No, not automatically. R-3 zoning allows 50 feet; the 40-foot cap is condition 17 on this project's site and building plans, which the developer agreed to. Another R-3 rezoning on the block would get its own conditions through its own public review. The council approved the plans 5-2 on Oct. 12.","facts":["james-ave/how-tall-could-homes-on-the-james-avenue-cityhomes-lots-be","james-ave/why-does-the-james-avenue-cityhomes-project-need-rezoning-fr"]},{"question":"Can the city make sure the James Avenue homes actually get built if it rezones the land?","answer":"No. The developer will plat and sell lots to builders, and the approvals don't require homes by a date. The site and building plans expire two years after approval if no building permit is issued, with one possible one-year extension. Council members asked to revisit where R-3 is guided; the Bloomington 2050 comprehensive plan update starts its next phase in early 2027.","asked_by":"Councilmember Carter (building on Councilmember Dallessandro's concern about public benefit)","ts":4728,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIlHnoxGJFY&t=4728s","in_room":"Planning Manager Nick Johnson said the city relies on private parties to build after it grants approval, that no public subsidy is involved, and that this is a limit of zoning law. Carter and Lowman asked for a broader look at where R-3 zoning is guided; Mayor Busse said the comprehensive plan update is under way.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"No. The developer plans to plat the nine lots and sell them to builders, and nothing in the approval requires homes by a date. The one built-in clock is that the site and building plans expire two years after approval if no building permit is issued, with at most one one-year extension; the rezoning itself doesn't lapse. The comprehensive plan update, where the R-3 map could be revisited, starts its next phase in early 2027.","facts":["james-ave/will-the-james-avenue-cityhomes-developer-build-the-homes","james-ave/do-final-site-and-building-plans-expire-if-nothing-is-built","comp-plan/where-does-bloomington-2050-stand-now"]},{"question":"How do work trucks, semis and cars parked down the block count toward the new six-vehicle limit?","answer":"Semis aren't allowed, one commercial vehicle per home is allowed and counts toward the limit, and the limit covers cars outside a garage or on a street with no set distance from the house. No vehicle over 22 feet long or 12 feet tall may park in a residential district, and commercial vehicles can't park on residential streets. Besides the one commercial vehicle, the code allows two trailers up to 25 feet (not counted), not the two commercial vehicles staff described. Inspectors build a pattern over several visits and check plates. Complaints go to Environmental Health, 952-563-8934.","asked_by":"Councilmember Dallessandro","ts":5996,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIlHnoxGJFY&t=5996s","in_room":"Staff said parking a semi on the street violates the commercial vehicle rules. Staff also said two commercial vehicles up to 25 feet are allowed and count toward the six. Environmental Health staff said inspectors link cars to a house by watching for a pattern over several visits and looking up plates in state vehicle records.","status":"answered-uncertain","our_answer":"Semis aren't allowed: code caps any vehicle parked in a residential district at 22 feet long and 12 feet tall, and bars commercial vehicles from residential streets. Code allows one commercial vehicle per home, which counts toward the limit, plus up to two trailers up to 25 feet long, which don't. That differs from the \"two commercial vehicles\" staff described in the room, and the new ordinance keeps the one-vehicle rule. The six-vehicle limit covers cars \"outside a garage or on a street\" with no set distance from the house.","facts":["parking-rules/how-many-commercial-vehicles-can-be-parked-at-a-bloomington","parking-rules/does-the-2026-parking-ordinance-change-the-commercial-vehicl","parking-rules/what-would-the-parking-ordinance-do-to-the-four-vehicle-limit","code-violations/how-do-i-report-a-property-or-housing-code-violation-in-bloo"]},{"question":"If more cars end up on the street, doesn't the 24-hour parking rule set families up for tickets?","answer":"The council didn't settle that: the 24-hour rule stays, and whether it conflicts with the six-vehicle limit is a policy question Lowman raised but the council didn't take up. Bloomington bars parking on the street for more than 24 consecutive hours, and on any right-of-way within 48 hours after a snow emergency. The new parking ordinance didn't change that. Police enforce it, as a low priority, on complaints to 952-563-4900.","asked_by":"Councilmember Lowman","ts":6351,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIlHnoxGJFY&t=6351s","in_room":"Environmental Health staff said street parking is open to everyone, but a car left for days, inoperable or on jacks can be reported to police, who check it as a low priority. Environmental Health writes orders for prohibited vehicles tied to a house and works with police. Lowman said he worried the 24-hour rule could be a \"trick bag\" for busy households.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"The city bars parking on a street for more than 24 consecutive hours and on any right-of-way within 48 hours after a snow emergency is declared. The parking ordinance passed Oct. 12 didn't change those rules. Enforcement requests go to the police non-emergency line, 952-563-4900.","facts":["street-parking/how-long-can-a-car-stay-parked-on-a-bloomington-street","parking-rules/what-would-the-parking-ordinance-do-to-the-four-vehicle-limit"]},{"question":"Why cut parking minimums for busy stores, sometimes by 50%?","answer":"Staff wrote that parking demand has dropped and old rules planned for Black Friday peaks, and the 50% cuts apply to manufacturing, warehousing and wholesale, not stores. Retail drops about 27% to 28% (26% to 43% for stores over 100,000 square feet). The minimums apply to future development, not existing lots. The ordinance passed 7-0.","asked_by":"Councilmember Rivas","ts":6572,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIlHnoxGJFY&t=6572s","in_room":"Planner Liz O'Day said the 50% cuts are mostly for industrial uses like manufacturing and warehousing, general retail is cut about 26%, and online shopping has left many lots empty. Mayor Busse said the council had asked for targeted adjustments. The ordinance passed 7-0.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"The 50% cuts are for manufacturing, warehousing and wholesale. Retail drops 27% to 28% for stores under 100,000 square feet and about 26% to 43% for larger ones; office drops 12% and restaurant seating 25%. The new minimums apply to future development, not existing lots, and the ordinance passed 7-0.","facts":["parking-rules/how-much-does-the-ordinance-cut-retail-parking-minimums","parking-rules/what-would-bloomington-s-2026-parking-ordinance-change","parking-rules/do-the-new-parking-minimums-change-earlier-approvals"]},{"question":"How will election costs swing from year to year, and what's changing with precincts and early voting?","answer":"Costs vary with the election cycle, and the clerk's budget proposes studying a cut from 30 to 20 precincts and shorter absentee periods where the law allows. Precinct changes for the 2028 state elections must be adopted by Dec. 1, 2027. State law sets 46 days of in-person absentee voting and 18 days of early voting; we couldn't confirm the law the clerk cited for shortening the 46 days.","asked_by":"Councilmember Dallessandro","ts":8092,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIlHnoxGJFY&t=8092s","in_room":"The city clerk said costs follow a four-year cycle with a presidential primary and possible special elections, so they're hard to predict. She said the city is consolidating precincts from 30 to 20 and returning polling places to schools, and that a state law lets the city shorten in-person absentee voting from 46 days to 18 for smaller elections, but not for a big general election like 2028.","status":"answered-uncertain","our_answer":"The clerk's 2027 budget lists evaluating a cut from 30 to 20 precincts and shorter absentee periods \"where permitted by law.\" For the 2028 state elections, any precinct change must be adopted by Dec. 1, 2027. State law sets a 46-day in-person absentee window and 18 days of early voting; we couldn't confirm in the statute a change letting cities shorten the 46 days.","facts":["elections/is-bloomington-cutting-its-number-of-election-precincts","elections/when-must-a-minnesota-city-adopt-precinct-boundary-changes","elections/how-long-are-absentee-and-early-voting-periods-in-minnesota"]},{"question":"Will Bloomington adopt humane pet store and animal-free circus ordinances?","answer":"Still open. Staff were asked Oct. 12 to look into both, with no draft or timeline. HF 2627, a 2026 state bill, would bar pet shops from selling dogs and cats and let cities adopt stricter rules; we couldn't confirm it passed. Nearby Eden Prairie appears to have regulated pet store sales since 2018.","asked_by":"Councilmember Dallessandro (after a listening-session speaker)","ts":10687,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIlHnoxGJFY&t=10687s","in_room":"Dallessandro asked staff to look into both, citing New Hope and other cities. Mayor Busse agreed if it could mostly be copied from other cities' ordinances, and said staff would decide which department takes it.","status":"staff-to-follow-up","our_answer":"Still open. As of Oct. 13, 2026, staff have been asked to look into both, with no draft or date. A 2026 state bill, HF 2627, would ban pet shop dog and cat sales statewide and let cities go further; we couldn't confirm it became law. Eden Prairie has regulated pet store sales since 2018, per an ordinance copy we couldn't check against its current code.","facts":["pet-sales/what-would-minnesota-s-2026-pet-shop-bill-hf-2627-do","pet-sales/do-nearby-cities-restrict-dog-and-cat-sales-at-pet-stores"]},{"question":"Will the council revisit recent changes to on-street parking signs?","answer":"Still open: the council agreed to a study session, not yet scheduled, and the sign changes weren't identified publicly. Under the city's 2013 on-street parking policy, restrictions change after a petition or city study and a mailed neighborhood ballot, with a 15-day appeal to the council, which adopts the official parking map at a hearing as needed.","asked_by":"Councilmember Rivas","ts":10775,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIlHnoxGJFY&t=10775s","in_room":"Rivas said residents keep contacting him about sign changes and asked for a review and a public hearing, saying city code calls for one when signs change permanently. He has sent a document to City Manager Zach Walker. Mayor Busse proposed starting with a study session that looks back at the changes, and Rivas agreed.","status":"staff-to-follow-up","our_answer":"Still open. As of Oct. 13, 2026, a study session is planned with no date, and the specific sign changes weren't named in public. Under the council's 2013 on-street parking policy, changes start with a petition or a city study, then a mailed neighborhood ballot, with a 15-day appeal to the council. The council adopts the official parking map at a hearing as needed.","facts":["street-parking/how-does-bloomington-add-or-change-on-street-parking-restric","street-parking/how-long-can-a-car-stay-parked-on-a-bloomington-street"]}],"next":[{"when":"2026-10-19","what":"City Manager Zach Walker said the council hears 2027 budget presentations from the city's public-facing (external services) departments next Monday.","kind":"meeting","source_url":null,"ts":10655},{"when":"2026-11-11","what":"Last day to appeal an assessment on the 2026 PMP street reconstruction roll, adopted Oct. 12: state law allows 30 days to serve notice on the mayor or clerk, then 10 days to file in district court. Staff said one resident had signaled a possible appeal.","kind":"deadline","source_url":"https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/429.081","ts":2945},{"when":"2026-11-16","what":"Council budget study session with public comment on the 2027 levy and budget, which includes the first Axon payment.","kind":"meeting","source_url":"https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/node/10909","ts":2136},{"when":"2026-11-24","what":"Last day to prepay a 2026 PMP street assessment with no interest; any balance goes on property taxes over 10 years at 5.5% (staff said it first shows up on May 2027 tax statements).","kind":"deadline","source_url":"https://d3n9y02raazwpg.cloudfront.net/blmmn/486a90e0-81ef-11f1-98fd-005056a89546-8a19d185-1bef-4240-8ed3-31251e24b789-1791476273.pdf","ts":2819},{"when":"2026-12-01","when_label":"December 2026","what":"Deputy City Manager Elizabeth Tolzmann said staff will bring a proposed 2027 state legislative platform to the council in December, after meeting legislators following the November election.","kind":"meeting","source_url":null,"ts":7864},{"when":"2026-12-07","what":"Truth in Taxation public hearing on the 2027 levy and general fund budget, 6:30 p.m., council chambers.","kind":"hearing","source_url":"https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/node/10909","ts":null},{"when":"2026-12-14","what":"The council is set to adopt the final 2027 levy and budget, including the internal services budgets presented Oct. 12 and the first Axon payment.","kind":"vote","source_url":"https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/node/10909","ts":2136},{"when":"2027-01-01","when_label":"Early 2027","what":"Bloomington 2050, the comprehensive plan update, begins Phase 2 (Vision & Values); Mayor Busse pointed to it when Councilmembers Carter and Lowman asked to revisit where R-3 zoning is guided.","kind":"meeting","source_url":"https://letstalk.bloomingtonmn.gov/bloomington-2050-the-vision-for-bloomington-s-future","ts":10981},{"when":"2027-12-01","what":"Deadline for the council to adopt any precinct consolidation (the clerk proposes studying a cut from 30 to 20) in time for the 2028 state elections.","kind":"deadline","source_url":"https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/204B.14","ts":8054},{"when":"2028-10-12","what":"The James Avenue CityHomes site and building plans expire if no building permit has been issued, unless the owner gets the one allowed extension of up to a year.","kind":"deadline","source_url":"https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/bloomington/latest/bloomington_mn/0-0-0-111164","ts":5128},{"when":null,"what":"The James Avenue rezoning (passed 5-2) and the off-street parking ordinance (passed 7-0), including the six-vehicle limit, take effect once their summaries are published in the official newspaper.","kind":"effective","source_url":"https://d3n9y02raazwpg.cloudfront.net/blmmn/486a90e0-81ef-11f1-98fd-005056a89546-8a19d185-1bef-4240-8ed3-31251e24b789-1791476273.pdf","ts":5091},{"when":null,"what":"Before using drones under the new Axon agreement, state law requires the police department to take public comment and post a written drone policy, and the council to offer public comment at a regular meeting.","kind":"follow-up","source_url":"https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/626.19","ts":1683},{"when":null,"what":"Staff are to look into humane pet store and animal-free circus ordinances, possibly borrowing from other cities.","kind":"follow-up","source_url":null,"ts":10744},{"when":null,"what":"A council study session on recent on-street parking sign changes, at Councilmember Rivas's request, before any public hearing.","kind":"follow-up","source_url":null,"ts":10861},{"when":null,"what":"Mayor Busse suggested staff consider more active ways to tell residents a year or two ahead that their street is coming up for a PMP project.","kind":"follow-up","source_url":null,"ts":3104}]},{"meeting":{"videoId":"ONVP6mUQDC8","body":"planning","date":"2026-10-01","title":"October 1, 2026 Bloomington Planning Commission Meeting","video":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONVP6mUQDC8"},"questions":[{"question":"Once 490 airport parking spaces are approved at the RiverView ramp, is that number permanent, or can it change later?","answer":"It stays at 490 unless the owner applies again. City staff said a conditional use permit goes with the land, even if the property is sold, and it is recorded with the county. It lapses only if the use doesn't start within a year or stops for a year, and the council can revoke it only for violations, after notice and a hearing. Adding spaces would take a new application with an updated parking study.","asked_by":"Commissioner Linnee","ts":1253,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONVP6mUQDC8&t=1253s","in_room":"Staff said a conditional use permit is permanent and goes with the land, even if the property is sold. The city can revoke one only through a hearing, usually over documented violations of conditions. To add spaces, the owner would have to apply again with an updated parking study.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"That matches the code. The approval is recorded with the county and lapses only if the use doesn't start within a year or stops for a year. The council can suspend or revoke it only for violations, after at least 10 days' written notice and a hearing. Changes to its conditions go back to the body that approved it.","facts":["airport-parking/does-a-bloomington-conditional-use-permit-stay-in-effect-if-","airport-parking/can-bloomington-revoke-a-conditional-use-permit-and-how","airport-parking/how-long-do-people-have-to-appeal-a-bloomington-planning-com"]},{"question":"How will the city make sure no more than 490 cars are using the ramp for airport parking?","answer":"It won't count cars, staff said; it can ask the operator for data from its kiosk system and otherwise relies on complaints or on seeing cars parked where they shouldn't be. The code doesn't require regular reporting, but the City Council can suspend or revoke the permit if a condition is broken, after notice and a hearing. All airport parking, gates and shuttle storage must stay inside the ramp.","asked_by":"Commissioner Munster","ts":1630,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONVP6mUQDC8&t=1630s","in_room":"Staff said nobody from the city will count cars. It can ask the operator for data from its kiosk system, and otherwise relies on complaints or on seeing cars parked where they shouldn't be.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"The code doesn't require regular reporting. Enforcement runs through the permit conditions: the City Council can suspend or revoke the permit if a condition is broken, after notice and a hearing. The rules also require all airport parking, gates and shuttle storage to stay inside the ramp.","facts":["airport-parking/can-bloomington-revoke-a-conditional-use-permit-and-how","airport-parking/what-are-bloomington-s-rules-for-new-remote-airport-parking"]},{"question":"Does the permit's safety-plan condition cover the lighting upgrades the ramp needs?","answer":"Yes. Staff said the ramp's old floodlight-style fixtures don't meet the code's full cut-off rule, and a condition requires bringing lighting up to code before airport parking starts. The code requires 90-degree cut-off, flat-lens fixtures unless an exception applies, and fully enclosed, secured ramps are exempt from that limit. Staff will also measure light levels inside the ramp at night.","asked_by":"Commissioner Munster","ts":1705,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONVP6mUQDC8&t=1705s","in_room":"Staff said the ramp's old floodlight-style fixtures don't meet the code's full cut-off rule, and the permit lets the city require new ones. Staff will also measure light levels inside the ramp at night. A condition requires bringing lighting up to code before airport parking starts.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"The code backs that up. New remote airport parking must meet the city's lighting section, which requires 90-degree cut-off, flat-lens fixtures unless an exception applies. Fully enclosed, secured ramps are exempt from that limit.","facts":["airport-parking/what-lighting-does-bloomington-s-code-require-for-parking-ar","airport-parking/what-are-bloomington-s-rules-for-new-remote-airport-parking"]},{"question":"How many shuttle trips a day will run between the ramp and the airport?","answer":"No daily count has been given. The applicant's representative said the Crowne Plaza runs four shuttles now and will add three, for seven covering both the hotel and the park-and-fly. City rules require shuttle storage, along with all parking and gates, to be inside the ramp.","asked_by":"Commissioner White","ts":1837,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONVP6mUQDC8&t=1837s","in_room":"Staff left it to the applicant. The Kaeding Development representative said the Crowne Plaza runs four shuttles now and will add three, for seven covering both the hotel and the park-and-fly. No daily trip count was given.","status":"answered-uncertain","our_answer":"Still open. No source we found gives a daily trip count. The city's rules require shuttle storage, along with all parking and gates, to be inside the ramp. A parking study was required to show the ramp has room for the 490 spaces.","facts":["airport-parking/what-are-bloomington-s-rules-for-new-remote-airport-parking","airport-parking/when-did-bloomington-adopt-its-current-remote-airport-parkin"]},{"question":"When will the ramp repairs be finished, since airport parking can't start until they are?","answer":"The applicant expects a final inspection at the end of October or in the first two weeks of November; no city date has been found. Staff said parts of the ramp had been deemed unsafe, and a permit condition bars airport parking until repairs are done and inspected. Separately, ramps older than five years now need a city operating license, which requires a licensed engineer to report that the ramp can carry its design loads.","asked_by":"Commissioner Munster","ts":2063,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONVP6mUQDC8&t=2063s","in_room":"The applicant said it expects a final inspection at the end of October or in the first two weeks of November. Staff said parts of the ramp had been deemed unsafe, and a condition bars airport parking until repairs are done and inspected.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"The commission's conditions set that order; we found no public city date. Separately, since Jan. 1, 2026, ramps older than five years need a city operating license. To get one, a licensed engineer must inspect the ramp and report that it can carry its design loads, and the license is renewed about every two years.","facts":["parking-ramps/does-bloomington-require-parking-ramps-to-be-inspected"]},{"question":"Are the ramp, hotel, office tower and apartments all owned by one company, and what happens if part of the portfolio is sold?","answer":"Not by one company, and a sale wouldn't affect the airport parking permit, which is recorded against the ramp property. Each building sits in a separate LLC, with mostly shared ownership, 90% to 95%, according to the applicant. County records list the ramp's owner as Bloomington QOZ Ramp LLC, which bought it in December 2025 for $4.9 million. The applicant said converting the office tower to housing would bring a new parking conversation.","asked_by":"Commissioner Linnee","ts":2128,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONVP6mUQDC8&t=2128s","in_room":"The applicant said each building sits in a separate LLC with mostly shared ownership (\"90%-95%\"), and that a sale would change little, though converting the office tower to housing would bring a new parking conversation.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"County records match: the ramp belongs to Bloomington QOZ Ramp LLC, bought in December 2025 for $4.9 million, and nearby parcels are held by other QOZ-named LLCs. The airport parking permit is recorded with the county against the ramp property, so it doesn't depend on who owns it.","facts":["airport-parking/who-owns-the-riverview-ramp-at-3601-american-blvd-e-and-the-","airport-parking/does-a-bloomington-conditional-use-permit-stay-in-effect-if-"]},{"question":"Would the new 10,000-square-foot threshold for gyms in industrial areas replace the current rule capping them at 50% of a building?","answer":"Yes. City staff said the 50% cap would not carry over to the new fitness and sports facility use; only the rule requiring a location next to an arterial or collector road would stay, for larger sites. Today the code allows a health club in most industrial districts only if it meets both limits. The new size-based approach is only proposed, and no public hearing has been set.","asked_by":"Commissioner White","ts":3402,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONVP6mUQDC8&t=3402s","in_room":"Staff said the 50% cap would not carry over to the new fitness and sports facility use. Only the location rule (next to a highway or collector road) would stay, for larger sites.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"Today the code allows a health club in most industrial districts only if it is \"adjacent to arterial or collector road and not exceeding 50% building floor area.\" Staff said the 50% rule came from a code change requested by Vertical Endeavors. The new size-based approach is only proposed; no public hearing has been set.","facts":["sports-facilities/where-can-health-clubs-go-in-bloomington-s-industrial-zoning","sports-facilities/how-does-bloomington-s-code-define-health-clubs-sports-train","sports-facilities/is-the-sports-and-fitness-zoning-review-on-the-planning-comm"]},{"question":"How much industrial space in Bloomington is vacant right now?","answer":"That's unknown. The 2026 Assessing Report has no vacancy figure, and staff said they would keep looking before the item returns. The report does say industrial values fell a net 2.1% for 2026, \"a change in direction from years past,\" as rent growth slowed and expenses rose. Staff said industrial land had been one of the city's strongest sectors in value over the past five years.","asked_by":"Commissioner White","ts":3540,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONVP6mUQDC8&t=3540s","in_room":"Staff didn't have a number and said they'd check with the assessor. They added that industrial land had been one of the city's strongest sectors in value over the past five years. Later in the meeting, staff said the 2026 assessment report has no vacancy data and they would keep looking before the item returns.","status":"staff-to-follow-up","our_answer":"Still open. The 2026 Assessing Report has no vacancy figure. It does say industrial values fell 2.1% for 2026, \"a change in direction from years past,\" as rent growth slowed and expenses rose.","facts":["industrial-land/does-the-city-publish-how-much-industrial-space-in-bloomingt","industrial-land/how-did-bloomington-s-industrial-property-values-change-in-t"]},{"question":"What counts as \"adjacent\" to a highway or collector road? Could a building that shares an office park with a lot touching the road qualify?","answer":"Staff read \"adjacent\" as the property touching the road, even if its driveway is on a local street, so a building in a shared office park would likely need a recorded shared-access agreement or easement to qualify. The zoning code doesn't define \"adjacent,\" so staff's reading controls for now, and the proposal is still being drafted.","asked_by":"Commissioner Munster","ts":3590,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONVP6mUQDC8&t=3590s","in_room":"Staff said they read it as the property touching the road, even if the driveway is on a local street. A shared office park would likely need a recorded shared-access agreement or easement.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"The rule's wording is \"adjacent to arterial or collector road,\" and we found no definition of \"adjacent\" in the zoning code, so staff's reading controls for now. The proposal is still being drafted.","facts":["sports-facilities/does-bloomington-s-zoning-code-define-adjacent","sports-facilities/where-can-health-clubs-go-in-bloomington-s-industrial-zoning"]},{"question":"Should large youth sports facilities in industrial areas be required to have dedicated drop-off lanes?","answer":"That's still open. Staff said they would look at it with traffic staff after a commissioner pointed to drop-off backups at a new hockey arena in Maple Grove. Current rules let sports training facilities host competition only as a side activity \"with sufficient parking.\" Staff will take the study to a City Council study session Oct. 26, with a public hearing expected in December or January.","asked_by":"Commissioner Linnee","ts":4325,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONVP6mUQDC8&t=4325s","in_room":"Linnee pointed to drop-off backups at a new hockey arena in Maple Grove. Staff said they would look at it with traffic staff. Commissioners also raised lighting, marked walkways and signs for areas where teens learn to drive.","status":"staff-to-follow-up","our_answer":"Still open. Current definitions let sports training facilities host competition only as a subordinate activity \"with sufficient parking.\" Staff will take the study to a City Council study session Oct. 26, with a public hearing expected in December or January.","facts":["sports-facilities/how-does-bloomington-s-code-define-health-clubs-sports-train","sports-facilities/is-the-sports-and-fitness-zoning-review-on-the-planning-comm"]}],"next":[{"when":"2026-10-06","what":"The commission's 490-space airport parking permit for the RiverView ramp became final unless the applicant or a member of the public appealed to the City Council. The chair said the deadline was 4:30 p.m. Tuesday; captions read \"October 5,\" but the code's three-business-day window ends Oct. 6.","kind":"deadline","source_url":"https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/bloomington/latest/bloomington_mn/0-0-0-124380","ts":2473},{"when":"2026-10-15","what":"The Planning Commission's Oct. 15 meeting is canceled because there were no items to consider.","kind":"meeting","source_url":"https://blmmn.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=13&event_id=1940","ts":4840},{"when":"2026-10-26","what":"Planning staff take the sports, health and recreation use review to a City Council study session.","kind":"meeting","source_url":null,"ts":2615},{"when":"2026-10-29","what":"Planning Commission meets for its annual check of the city's capital improvement plan against the comprehensive plan, a study item on permitted setbacks and encroachments, and a Bloomington 2050 comprehensive plan update.","kind":"meeting","source_url":null,"ts":4845},{"when":null,"what":"The RiverView ramp's owner expects a final repair inspection in late October or the first half of November. Airport parking can't open until repairs are finished, inspected and lighting is brought to code.","kind":"follow-up","source_url":null,"ts":2072},{"when":null,"what":"Public hearing before the Planning Commission on the proposed fitness and sports facility use, expected in December or January; the City Council makes the final decision on code changes.","kind":"hearing","source_url":null,"ts":2615},{"when":null,"what":"Staff will try to bring industrial vacancy figures, plus traffic and drop-off safety considerations, when the sports facility study returns.","kind":"follow-up","source_url":null,"ts":4650},{"when":null,"what":"Staff are studying added height and density standards for the South Loop and expect to bring them to the commission later this fall or in early winter.","kind":"follow-up","source_url":null,"ts":4905}]},{"meeting":{"body":"council","date":"2026-09-28","title":"September 28, 2026 Bloomington City Council Meeting","video":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPRpPa9ETlw","videoId":"CPRpPa9ETlw"},"questions":[{"question":"Do the Hopkins Road homes renamed to Mission Road need to re-register to vote?","answer":"No. When a city renames a street, state law has the city clerk notify the county, which updates the voter records itself. State law also bars a rename from taking effect in the 45 days before an election, and the council set the change to take effect Nov. 4, the day after the Nov. 3 election.","asked_by":"Councilmember Nelson","ts":1231,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPRpPa9ETlw&t=1231s","in_room":"Staff didn't know and said they'd check and get back to the council. The council then set the rename to take effect Nov. 4, after the election.","status":"staff-to-follow-up","our_answer":"No. Under Minn. Stat. 201.11, when a city renames a street the city clerk notifies the county, and the county updates the voter records itself. State law also bars a rename from taking effect in the 45 days before an election.","facts":["street-rename/does-state-law-cover-what-happens-to-voter-registrations-whe","street-rename/why-would-a-street-rename-take-effect-after-election-day"]},{"question":"What do the two renamed households need to update, and what does it cost?","answer":"Their driver's licenses (a $26 duplicate) and vehicle records, and the city is giving each home $1,000 to cover the change. Driver's Vehicle Services asks for a license address update within 60 days, in person, as a $26 duplicate, and vehicle records must be updated separately. Whether that 60-day rule applies when a household hasn't moved isn't settled. The council asked staff to tell residents the effective date and that their voter registration stays valid.","asked_by":"Councilmember Nelson (asked staff to tell the residents)","ts":1493,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPRpPa9ETlw&t=1493s","in_room":"Council asked staff to let the residents know the effective date and that their voter registration stays valid.","status":"staff-to-follow-up","our_answer":"Driver's licenses: DVS asks for an address update within 60 days, in person, as a $26 duplicate; vehicle records update separately. The city's $1,000 per home is meant to cover this. Whether the license rule applies when you haven't moved isn't settled by either source.","facts":["street-rename/how-soon-must-minnesotans-update-the-address-on-a-driver-s-l","street-rename/how-much-does-a-duplicate-minnesota-driver-s-license-cost","street-rename/what-documents-are-needed-to-change-the-address-on-a-minneso","street-rename/who-tells-usps-about-a-city-assigned-street-address-change"]},{"question":"Could neighbors with less than an acre graze goats or sheep, maybe by pooling lots?","answer":"Not under the rule the council passed Sept. 28: grazing needs at least an acre, is limited to 30 days per site and isn't allowed December through March. The council floated pooled applications and asked staff to report back. Golden Valley is a nearby model for small lots, allowing up to four goats on 10,000 square feet with no minimum lot size, while Edina, Richfield and Minneapolis effectively don't allow it.","asked_by":"Councilmember Carter","ts":2420,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPRpPa9ETlw&t=2420s","in_room":"Staff said grazing needs at least one acre; the council floated pooled applications and asked staff to report back.","status":"staff-to-follow-up","our_answer":"Not under the rule passed that night (Ord. 2026-32A): one acre minimum, 30 days per site, no grazing December through March. Golden Valley is the nearby model for small lots: no minimum, up to four goats on 10,000 square feet. Edina, Richfield and Minneapolis effectively don't allow it.","facts":["grazing/what-does-bloomington-s-code-now-say-about-using-goats-and-s","grazing/is-there-a-nearby-city-that-clearly-allows-temporary-goat-gr","grazing/does-edina-allow-goat-or-sheep-grazing","grazing/does-richfield-allow-rent-a-goat-grazing","grazing/does-minneapolis-allow-goat-or-sheep-grazing"]},{"question":"Does the new car-detailing rule cover mobile detailers who come to your home?","answer":"Probably not. The new definition covers \"an establishment\" that details cars by hand, so the zoning use doesn't reach a mobile service, and the code has no mobile-detailing rule at all. City staff said at the meeting they didn't think it applied but weren't sure.","asked_by":"Councilmember Carter","ts":2865,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPRpPa9ETlw&t=2865s","in_room":"Staff said they didn't think it applies, but weren't sure.","status":"answered-uncertain","our_answer":"The new definition is \"an establishment,\" so the zoning use doesn't reach a mobile service. The code has no mobile-detailing rule at all.","facts":["car-detailing/how-does-bloomington-s-zoning-code-define-car-detailing","car-detailing/does-bloomington-s-code-address-mobile-detailing-that-comes-"]},{"question":"What would building the geothermal pilot mean for neighbors already living with the health center construction?","answer":"That's still open; CenterPoint said it isn't a construction expert and will provide details later. Bloomington, Orono and Brooklyn Center are the finalists. CenterPoint plans to pick a site early in 2027, hopes to start construction that year and expects the system to be running in late 2028 or early 2029. The health center itself is scheduled to open in 2027.","asked_by":"Acting Mayor D'Alessandro","ts":3825,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPRpPa9ETlw&t=3825s","in_room":"CenterPoint said it isn't a construction expert and will provide details later.","status":"open","our_answer":"Still open. Bloomington, Orono and Brooklyn Center are the finalists; CenterPoint picks early 2027, would build in 2027 and run the system late 2028 or early 2029. The health center itself opens in 2027.","facts":["geothermal/when-will-centerpoint-pick-the-geothermal-pilot-site-and-whe","geothermal/which-communities-are-finalists-for-centerpoint-energy-s-net","health-center/when-did-construction-start-and-when-will-the-community-heal"]},{"question":"How do residents report a housing code violation, and what happens next?","answer":"Call Environmental Health at 952-563-8934 or email envhealth@BloomingtonMN.gov, and an inspector visits within a few days and the owner gets 10 days to fix the problem. Include the address and a description; reports can be anonymous, and there's no online form. Tall grass and weeds get 7 days instead of 10. If the owner doesn't comply, the city may hire a contractor or issue fines, and unpaid bills go onto the property taxes.","asked_by":"Deb Harper (public comment)","ts":4271,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPRpPa9ETlw&t=4271s","in_room":"Raised in public comment; no response at the meeting.","status":"open","our_answer":"Call Environmental Health at 952-563-8934 or email envhealth@BloomingtonMN.gov; reports can be anonymous. An inspector visits within a few days, and the owner gets 10 days to fix it (7 for tall grass). There's no online complaint form on the city's page.","facts":["code-violations/how-do-i-report-a-property-or-housing-code-violation-in-bloo","code-violations/can-code-complaints-in-bloomington-be-anonymous","code-violations/what-are-the-steps-and-deadlines-in-bloomington-s-code-enfor","code-violations/how-often-does-bloomington-inspect-rental-housing"]},{"question":"What is the Smith Park shared-use agreement?","answer":"It's a set of agreements dating to 1999 between the city and the former Lutheran high school at 8201 Park Ave. S., now the Al Farooq Youth and Family Center. They provide shared parking on city land and keep the jointly built fields and courts open to the public, and they run with the land. The 25-year term ran to 2024 with a 10-year renewal option; whether it was renewed is unconfirmed.","asked_by":"Sally Ness (public comment, repeat speaker)","ts":4271,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPRpPa9ETlw&t=4271s","in_room":"Raised in public comment again; no response at the meeting.","status":"open","our_answer":"Agreements dating to 1999 between the city and the former Lutheran high school at 8201 Park Ave. S., now the Al Farooq Youth and Family Center: shared parking and public use of the jointly built fields and courts. The 25-year term ran to 2024 with a 10-year renewal option; whether it was renewed is unconfirmed.","facts":["smith-park/what-is-the-smith-park-shared-use-agreement","smith-park/what-are-the-terms-of-the-smith-park-parking-agreement","smith-park/who-is-on-the-other-side-of-the-smith-park-agreement-today","smith-park/was-the-smith-park-agreement-renewed-in-2024-and-has-the-cou"]},{"question":"What do Bloomington's rules already allow for growing your own food?","answer":"A lot already: residents can keep up to four hens (no roosters), keep beehives with limits by lot size, garden in every zoning district and compost in an enclosed backyard bin. They can also plant boulevard trees with a City Forester permit and rent one of 205 city garden plots for $45. Selling from home is the tight spot: home-business rules bar on-site sales. Carter asked planning staff and the commissions to review the rules for the 2027 work plan.","asked_by":"Councilmember Carter (building on Matthew Hallett's public comment)","ts":4396,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPRpPa9ETlw&t=4396s","in_room":"Carter asked planning staff and the commissions to review it for the 2027 work plan.","status":"open","our_answer":"A lot already: up to four hens (no roosters), beehives by lot size, gardens permitted in every zoning district, boulevard trees with a City Forester permit, 205 city garden plots at $45, and enclosed backyard compost. Selling from home is the tight spot: Bloomington's home-business rules bar on-site sales.","facts":["food-growing/can-bloomington-residents-keep-backyard-chickens-and-how-man","food-growing/can-bloomington-residents-keep-bees-and-how-many-hives","food-growing/are-vegetable-gardens-including-front-yard-gardens-allowed-i","food-growing/can-you-plant-fruit-trees-on-the-boulevard-in-bloomington","food-growing/does-bloomington-run-community-garden-plots-and-what-do-they","food-growing/does-bloomington-add-its-own-rules-on-selling-food-from-home","food-growing/what-are-bloomington-s-backyard-composting-rules"]}],"next":[{"when":"2026-10-03","what":"CenterPoint held a Saturday Community Connect open house on its geothermal pilot at the Arts Center, 10 a.m. to noon; its pilot page now thanks those who came to the recent sessions, though we found no Bloomington-specific account of the event.","kind":"meeting","source_url":"https://www.centerpointenergy.com/en-us/savings-solutions/emissions-reduction-innovation/network-geothermal","ts":3560},{"when":"2026-10-13","what":"CenterPoint holds a live virtual town hall on the geothermal pilot Oct. 13 at 6 p.m., and its online open house takes questions and comments through Oct. 23.","kind":"meeting","source_url":"https://www.centerpointenergy.com/en-us/savings-solutions/emissions-reduction-innovation/network-geothermal","ts":null},{"when":"2026-11-04","what":"The rename of part of Hopkins Road to Mission Road takes effect Nov. 4, the day after the election, and the city pays the owners of 10500 and 10512 Hopkins Road $1,000 each for the address change.","kind":"effective","source_url":"https://d3n9y02raazwpg.cloudfront.net/blmmn/4867032b-81ef-11f1-98fd-005056a89546-8a19d185-1bef-4240-8ed3-31251e24b789-1790631005.pdf","ts":1455},{"when":"2027-01-01","what":"CenterPoint plans to pick its geothermal pilot site from Bloomington, Orono and Brooklyn Center in early 2027, start construction in 2027 or 2028 and have the system running in 2028 or 2029.","kind":"deadline","source_url":"https://www.centerpointenergy.com/en-us/savings-solutions/emissions-reduction-innovation/network-geothermal","ts":3488,"when_label":"Early 2027"},{"when":null,"what":"The 22 zoning and code ordinances passed that night (Nos. 2026-31 to 2026-52, including sports training in the FD-2 district, sheep for prescribed grazing, car detailing, trailer parking and cannabis odor rules) take effect once their council-approved summaries are published in the official newspaper; the grazing change already shows in the online city code.","kind":"effective","source_url":"https://d3n9y02raazwpg.cloudfront.net/blmmn/4867032b-81ef-11f1-98fd-005056a89546-8a19d185-1bef-4240-8ed3-31251e24b789-1790631005.pdf","ts":2071},{"when":null,"what":"Staff said they would check whether the rename affects voting and get back to the council, and the council asked staff to tell the two households the Nov. 4 date and that their voter registration stays valid.","kind":"follow-up","source_url":null,"ts":1231},{"when":null,"what":"Planning staff are to report back to the council on letting neighbors pool lots smaller than an acre to apply for goat or sheep grazing, which the new rule's one-acre minimum rules out.","kind":"follow-up","source_url":null,"ts":2440},{"when":null,"what":"CenterPoint promised construction details from its experts on what the pilot would mean near the health center site, and in the next selection phase it will seek letters of intent from participating and host buildings, with city staff bringing those commitments to the council.","kind":"follow-up","source_url":null,"ts":3784},{"when":null,"what":"Councilmember Carter asked planning staff, the Planning Commission and the Sustainability Commission to review the city's rules on growing food at home for the 2027 work plan.","kind":"follow-up","source_url":null,"ts":4396}]},{"meeting":{"videoId":"UpNy0a55osE","body":"planning","date":"2026-09-17","title":"September 17, 2026 Bloomington Planning Commission Meeting","video":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpNy0a55osE"},"questions":[{"question":"If six vehicles are allowed at a house instead of four, could a home that already has nine cars outside end up with 11?","answer":"No. The limit counts cars on the street tied to the house, so a home with nine cars outside is already over the current limit of four and would still be over at six. Cars in a garage, or there briefly for a visit or service call, don't count. Violations can be reported to Environmental Health at 952-563-8934 or envhealth@BloomingtonMN.gov.","asked_by":"Becky Miller (public hearing)","ts":2986,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpNy0a55osE&t=2986s","in_room":"Miller said a nearby home has up to nine cars on the driveway and street in the evenings, blocking street sweeping and snow plowing. Staff and Commissioner Coleman said the limit counts cars on the street tied to the house, so nine is over the limit now and would still be over it at six.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"That matches the code. Today the limit is four vehicles per unit outside a garage or on the street, and the ordinance would raise it to six, still counting street parking. Cars in a garage or visiting don't count. Violations can be reported to Environmental Health at 952-563-8934.","facts":["parking-rules/how-many-vehicles-can-be-parked-outside-a-garage-at-a-bloomin","parking-rules/what-would-the-parking-ordinance-do-to-the-four-vehicle-limit","code-violations/how-do-i-report-a-property-or-housing-code-violation-in-bloo"]},{"question":"How does the city know which cars parked on the street belong to which house?","answer":"Environmental Health investigates, usually after a complaint, city staff said: inspectors record license plates and check whether the vehicles are registered to the property before issuing an order to it. Enforcement is already busy, with an average of 128 properties a year getting orders for too many vehicles over the last five years. Complaints go to 952-563-8934 or envhealth@BloomingtonMN.gov.","asked_by":"Commissioner Munster","ts":3777,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpNy0a55osE&t=3777s","in_room":"Staff said Environmental Health investigates, usually after a complaint, recording license plates and checking whether the vehicles are registered to the property before issuing an order to that property.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"Enforcement is complaint-driven and already busy: staff report an average of 128 properties a year got orders for too many vehicles over the last five years, many with five or six. Complaints go to Environmental Health by phone or email; the plate-check method was described only in the room.","facts":["parking-rules/what-would-the-parking-ordinance-do-to-the-four-vehicle-limit","code-violations/how-do-i-report-a-property-or-housing-code-violation-in-bloo"]},{"question":"If a big part of an existing shopping center is rebuilt, do the new parking standards apply to the whole complex?","answer":"That's still open. Staff said they would use the new standard as the baseline for whatever is new and compare it with what was originally approved. The staff report says the new minimums apply to future development applications and don't undo parking reductions already granted, but it doesn't say how a partial rebuild of an existing site is counted.","asked_by":"Commissioner Linnee","ts":1212,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpNy0a55osE&t=1212s","in_room":"Staff said they would use the new standard as the baseline for whatever is new and compare it with what was originally approved.","status":"answered-uncertain","our_answer":"Still open. The staff report says the new minimums apply to future development applications and don't undo parking reductions already granted, but it doesn't say how a partial rebuild of an existing site is counted.","facts":["parking-rules/do-the-new-parking-minimums-change-earlier-approvals","parking-rules/what-would-bloomington-s-2026-parking-ordinance-change"]},{"question":"Is the new two-measure cap on parking flexibility per property or per project, and does each phase of a multi-phase development get its own two?","answer":"The cap applies per development or site, and whether each phase gets its own two is still open. The ordinance says \"a development or site may select a maximum of two parking flexibility measures,\" and staff read that as applying to a development, building or site. Staff said a later phase could likely seek different measures than the first, but the text doesn't address phases. A commissioner asked staff to make the wording clearer before it goes into code.","asked_by":"Commissioners White and Coleman","ts":1579,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpNy0a55osE&t=1579s","in_room":"Staff read the wording as applying to a development, building or site, and said a later phase, such as a second phase of the Gallery apartments, could likely seek different measures than the first. Commissioner White asked staff to make the wording clearer before it goes into code.","status":"answered-uncertain","our_answer":"The ordinance sent to the council says \"a development or site may select a maximum of two parking flexibility measures,\" with an extra allowance for a nonresidential use with a transportation demand plan. It doesn't address phases, so how phased projects are counted is still open.","facts":["parking-rules/how-many-parking-flexibility-measures-can-one-site-use","parking-rules/what-parking-flexibility-measures-does-bloomington-offer"]},{"question":"What stops a building approved as 55+ housing, with lower parking, from later becoming a regular apartment building?","answer":"Mostly the approval itself: staff review the project's documents and age-restricted marketing when it's approved. The city definition only says the housing is meant mainly for people 55 and older and doesn't mention a recorded restriction. Federal fair housing law requires 55+ housing to have someone 55 or older in at least 80% of occupied units and to follow published age policies. Staff said Bloomington hasn't seen such a conversion.","asked_by":"Commissioner Munster","ts":1463,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpNy0a55osE&t=1463s","in_room":"Staff said the review happens at approval, based on the project's documents and age-restricted marketing. A conversion to market-rate apartments would be \"a little riddle\" about which standard applies, but staff said Bloomington hasn't seen such conversions.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"The city definition only says the housing is designed and intended mainly for people 55 and older; it doesn't mention a recorded restriction. Federal fair housing law separately requires 55+ housing to have at least one person 55 or older in 80% of occupied units and to publish and follow age policies. The ordinance would cut its parking minimum from 1.5 to 1.3 spaces per unit.","facts":["parking-rules/how-does-bloomington-define-55-housing-for-parking","parking-rules/what-does-federal-law-require-for-55-housing"]},{"question":"Do developers ever use compact parking spaces, and should smaller lots be allowed to have them?","answer":"Staff have suggested compact spaces to a few applicants, but the savings are small, and staff said the 50-stall minimum for counting them might deserve study. A compact space is 8 by 16 feet versus 9 by 18 for a standard stall. Up to 20% of required spaces may be compact, and they count only in lots of 50 or more stalls; the parking ordinance doesn't change that. Staff said the 20% cap works well.","asked_by":"Commissioner Coleman","ts":2698,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpNy0a55osE&t=2698s","in_room":"Staff said they've suggested compact spaces to a few applicants, but at 8 by 16 feet versus 9 by 18 they don't gain much. Staff said the 50-stall minimum might deserve study, while the 20% cap works well.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"That matches the code: up to 20% of required spaces may be compact, at least 8 by 16 feet, and they count only in lots of 50 or more stalls. The parking ordinance doesn't change those rules.","facts":["parking-rules/what-are-bloomington-s-rules-for-compact-parking-spaces"]},{"question":"Do EV charging spaces count as one of the two parking flexibility measures?","answer":"No. EV charging spaces count as regular required parking, not as a flexibility measure. The code requires 1 space per 50 apartment units to have a Level 2 charger or better. A development or site may choose at most two flexibility measures, such as proof of parking or shared parking.","asked_by":"A commissioner","ts":2880,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpNy0a55osE&t=2880s","in_room":"Staff said no: charging spaces count as regular parking. Staff believed apartments need one charger per 50 units and offered to confirm.","status":"answered-uncertain","our_answer":"Staff had it right. The code requires 1 space per 50 apartment units to have a Level 2 charger or better, and those spaces sit in the parking table, not among the flexibility measures.","facts":["parking-rules/what-ev-charging-does-bloomington-require-at-apartment-buildi","parking-rules/how-many-parking-flexibility-measures-can-one-site-use"]},{"question":"Is the city tracking whether its efforts to streamline development approvals are actually cutting time for builders?","answer":"Not yet. No report has been published since the 2024 streamlining ordinance, only examples, such as a restaurant patio and a business near France Avenue and Old Shakopee Road that were approved administratively. Staff said they could prepare a report if the commission wanted one, and a commissioner urged them to start collecting data, but staff made no firm commitment.","asked_by":"Acting Chair Isse and Commissioner White","ts":2259,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpNy0a55osE&t=2259s","in_room":"Staff said no report has been published since the 2024 streamlining ordinance, only examples, such as a restaurant patio and a business near France Avenue and Old Shakopee Road that were approved administratively. Staff said they could prepare a report if the commission wanted one, and White urged them to start collecting data.","status":"open","our_answer":"Still open. We found no published city report measuring results of the 2024 changes. The commission's own minutes list \"how the City is tracking development incentives\" among its questions, and staff made no firm commitment.","facts":["parking-rules/did-bloomington-streamline-development-approvals-in-2024","parking-rules/what-happened-to-the-plan-to-drop-parking-minimums-in-develop"]},{"question":"Is anything in the works that could take up dropping parking minimums in the development districts?","answer":"Not directly. A South Loop zoning review is on the adopted 2026 work plan, though it isn't focused on parking. A Sept. 17 motion to drop parking minimums in the development districts failed 2-3, and the commission suggested a future study of district parking. The commission can recommend that project for next year's work plan, which the council approves and hasn't yet adopted.","asked_by":"Commissioner Munster","ts":5032,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpNy0a55osE&t=5032s","in_room":"Staff pointed to a planned study of South Loop zoning and building intensity, though not focused on parking, and said the commission can recommend adding a development-district parking project to next year's work plan, which the council approves.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"A South Loop zoning review is on the adopted 2026 work plan. Coleman's amendment to drop minimums in the districts failed 2-3, and the commission asked for a dedicated future study of district parking; the council has not yet adopted a 2027 work plan.","facts":["parking-rules/is-south-loop-zoning-on-the-2026-planning-work-plan","parking-rules/what-happened-to-the-plan-to-drop-parking-minimums-in-develop"]},{"question":"Why was France Avenue near Old Shakopee Road restriped, and what's the long-term plan?","answer":"Hennepin County restriped France from four lanes to three during summer 2026 pavement work, adding left-turn lanes at 102nd Street and a shorter school crossing, and a 102nd Street study is planned but isn't next. The three-lane stretch, with a center turn lane, runs between about 98th Street and Old Shakopee Road. The change also adds flashing-yellow signals. A school-zone speed limit is possible in 2026-27. The city engineer said the 102nd Street study would run from Normandale to France, and that moving curbs costs far more than restriping.","asked_by":"Commissioner Munster","ts":5782,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpNy0a55osE&t=5782s","in_room":"City Engineer Julie Long said it's a Hennepin County project that cut France to three lanes, with the city adjusting signals at 102nd Street. She said a 102nd Street study from Normandale to France is planned but isn't next, and that moving curbs costs far more than restriping.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"Hennepin County restriped France from four lanes to three between about 98th Street and Old Shakopee Road during summer 2026 pavement work, adding left-turn lanes at 102nd Street and a shorter school crossing. A school-zone speed limit is possible in 2026-27.","facts":["france-ave/why-was-france-avenue-restriped-near-jefferson-high-school","france-ave/is-a-school-zone-speed-limit-planned-on-france-avenue"]}],"next":[{"when":"2026-10-01","what":"The Planning Commission held its hearing on the remote airport parking permit for the RiverView ramp at 3601 American Blvd. E., as announced.","kind":"hearing","source_url":"https://blmmn.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=13&event_id=1938","ts":5626},{"when":"2026-10-01","when_label":"October–November 2026","what":"Changes to the Opportunity Housing Ordinance's parking incentives were expected at the Planning Commission in October and the City Council in November; as of Oct. 12 we hadn't seen them on a commission agenda.","kind":"hearing","source_url":"https://d3n9y02raazwpg.cloudfront.net/blmmn/486a90e0-81ef-11f1-98fd-005056a89546-8a19d185-1bef-4240-8ed3-31251e24b789-1791476273.pdf","ts":null},{"when":"2026-10-12","what":"The City Council holds its public hearing on the off-street parking ordinance, with the commission's 4-1 recommendation and the failed amendment noted; the result wasn't known when this was written.","kind":"hearing","source_url":"https://d3n9y02raazwpg.cloudfront.net/blmmn/486a90e0-81ef-11f1-98fd-005056a89546-8a19d185-1bef-4240-8ed3-31251e24b789-1791476273.pdf","ts":5740},{"when":"2026-10-15","what":"The Planning Commission's Oct. 15 meeting is canceled, as staff expected.","kind":"meeting","source_url":"https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/plan/events/planning-commission-meeting-canceled-2026-10-15","ts":5659},{"when":"2026-11-04","what":"The rename of part of Hopkins Road to Mission Road, recommended 5-0 that night, takes effect Nov. 4 after the City Council's Sept. 28 action.","kind":"effective","source_url":"https://d3n9y02raazwpg.cloudfront.net/blmmn/4867032b-81ef-11f1-98fd-005056a89546-8a19d185-1bef-4240-8ed3-31251e24b789-1790631005.pdf","ts":622},{"when":null,"what":"Commissioners asked for a dedicated study of parking in the development districts on a future work plan; the council approves the work plan.","kind":"follow-up","source_url":"https://d3n9y02raazwpg.cloudfront.net/blmmn/486a90e0-81ef-11f1-98fd-005056a89546-8a19d185-1bef-4240-8ed3-31251e24b789-1791476273.pdf","ts":5095},{"when":null,"what":"Staff said they could report to the commission on whether the 2024 streamlining changes are working, if commissioners want it.","kind":"follow-up","source_url":null,"ts":2519},{"when":null,"what":"Staff recalled the City Council wanting parking rules revisited in about five years.","kind":"follow-up","source_url":null,"ts":4841},{"when":null,"what":"The city plans a study of 102nd Street from Normandale Boulevard to France Avenue for traffic, bike and pedestrian safety, but it isn't next in line.","kind":"follow-up","source_url":null,"ts":5823}]},{"meeting":{"videoId":"6jvaKmdpPCE","body":"port","date":"2026-09-15","title":"September 15, 2026 Bloomington Port Authority Meeting","video":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jvaKmdpPCE"},"questions":[{"question":"When some of Bloomington's biggest employers shrink, are they cutting jobs or moving work out of the city?","answer":"Not moving out, city staff said: the drops came from positions left unfilled, not relocations, and a company that left Bloomington wouldn't be on the list at all. The city's 2025 financial report shows the shift but not the reasons. Its top 10 employers have 23,189 workers, 26% of city jobs, down from 24,748 and 28% in 2016. Mall of America tenants fell from 13,000 to 11,000, while Evernorth roughly doubled to 1,309.","asked_by":"Commissioner Hunt","ts":727,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jvaKmdpPCE&t=727s","in_room":"Staff said the drops came from positions left unfilled, not relocations. Staff said a company that left Bloomington wouldn't be on the list at all, and that it tracks which employers move, why and how much space they take.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"The city's 2025 financial report shows the shift but not the reasons. Its top 10 employers have 23,189 workers, 26% of the city's jobs, down from 24,748 and 28% in 2016. Mall of America tenants fell from 13,000 to 11,000, while Evernorth roughly doubled to 1,309.","facts":["employers/who-are-bloomington-s-largest-employers-and-how-has-that-cha"]},{"question":"With so much of Bloomington's industrial space in older, smaller, low-ceiling buildings, what kinds of businesses should the city go after?","answer":"That's still open. Staff said companies needing tall, modern buildings mostly won't find them here, and that Bloomington's edge is its location near the airport, I-494 and the interstates. Staff put industrial occupancy at 96%, though the city's 2026 Assessing Report doesn't publish a vacancy rate. The report does say industrial values fell a net 2.1% this year, across 302 parcels worth $1.33 billion.","asked_by":"A commissioner","ts":1197,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jvaKmdpPCE&t=1197s","in_room":"Staff said companies needing tall, modern buildings mostly won't find them here, though the city once worked with an owner willing to tear down a building to land a user. Staff said Bloomington's edge is being near the airport, I-494 and the interstates, and put industrial occupancy at 96%.","status":"answered-uncertain","our_answer":"Still open. The 96% occupancy figure was given only in the room; the city's 2026 Assessing Report doesn't publish a vacancy rate. It does say industrial values fell a net 2.1% this year, across 302 parcels worth $1.33 billion.","facts":["industrial-land/how-did-bloomington-s-industrial-property-values-change-in-t","industrial-land/does-the-city-publish-how-much-industrial-space-in-bloomingt"]},{"question":"Should the city go back to buying and assembling strategic sites for redevelopment, as it did for SICK?","answer":"That's still open. The mayor said available land is the key to landing employers, and staff said colleagues will survey city-owned and vacant land; no survey or site list has been published. State law lets the Port Authority buy property from other public bodies and, with City Council approval, issue bonds to pay for it. The SICK campus was built on 14 acres of city-owned land east of the Mall of America.","asked_by":"Mayor Tim Busse","ts":1445,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jvaKmdpPCE&t=1445s","in_room":"Busse said available land is the key to landing employers and that assembling sites worked for SICK on the old Interstate Diesel land. A commissioner cautioned that small, older buildings are cheap homes for growing businesses. Staff said colleagues will survey city-owned and vacant land, and that staff is also working on a strategy for the city's commercial nodes.","status":"staff-to-follow-up","our_answer":"Still open. No survey or site list has been published. State law lets the Port Authority buy property from other public bodies and, with City Council approval, issue bonds to pay for it. The SICK campus was built on 14 acres of city-owned land: the Alpha Site parcels plus three Interstate Diesel properties.","facts":["port-authority/what-can-bloomington-s-port-authority-buy-and-how-can-it-pay","port-authority/what-land-did-bloomington-offer-sick-for-its-headquarters"]},{"question":"Could the Port Authority attach restrictions to land it buys, to make a site more attractive to the kind of business it wants?","answer":"Yes, and state law requires it when the Port Authority sells. The sale terms must spell out the buyer's allowed use, and the deed carries it as a covenant that runs with the land. The buyer has a year to put the land to that use or start the work, or the authority can cancel the sale and take the title back. Every sale needs a public hearing with published notice.","asked_by":"A commissioner","ts":1770,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jvaKmdpPCE&t=1770s","in_room":"The idea was to rule out competing uses and remove uncertainty for a buyer. No one answered directly; the room agreed it was worth more discussion.","status":"open","our_answer":"State law already requires it when the Port Authority sells. The sale terms must spell out the buyer's allowed use, and the deed carries it as a covenant that runs with the land. The buyer has a year to put the land to that use, and the sale needs a public hearing with published notice.","facts":["port-authority/can-the-port-authority-attach-use-restrictions-when-it-sells","port-authority/what-happens-if-a-buyer-of-port-authority-land-doesn-t-use-i","port-authority/does-the-port-authority-have-to-hold-a-hearing-before-sellin"]},{"question":"Was the SICK site assembled for SICK, or was the land cleared and readied for whoever came next?","answer":"It was readied for whoever came next, not for one company. The parcels, 14 acres east of the Mall of America, were already city-owned when SICK began a nationwide site search in 2018, and city staff pitched them. A 2020 agreement lets SICK build in up to four phases, with more than 500,000 square feet of office and production space planned by 2035.","asked_by":"A commissioner","ts":1796,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jvaKmdpPCE&t=1796s","in_room":"Another member answered that the city was readying the land for its next use, not for one company, and that SICK came from several things lining up over a long time.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"The record backs that up. A Port Authority project sheet says the parcels were already city-owned when SICK began a site search in 2018. A 2020 agreement lets SICK build in up to four phases, with more than 500,000 square feet planned by 2035.","facts":["port-authority/what-land-did-bloomington-offer-sick-for-its-headquarters"]}],"next":[{"when":"2026-09-16","what":"The Bloomington Economic Partnership's quarterly meeting was set to cover local and small-business purchasing, with speakers from the city, Greater MSP, the Metropolitan Airports Commission and Hennepin County. We haven't confirmed it was held.","kind":"meeting","source_url":null,"ts":1972},{"when":"2026-09-21","what":"A gathering for City Council members and volunteer commissioners was set for 6 to 8 p.m. We haven't confirmed it was held.","kind":"meeting","source_url":null,"ts":1900},{"when":"2026-10-01","when_label":"October 2026","what":"Port Authority staff planned a brokers breakfast for commercial real estate brokers. We haven't confirmed a date or that it was held.","kind":"meeting","source_url":null,"ts":2020},{"when":"2026-10-07","what":"The 2026 Bloomington Business Forum was scheduled for 8 to 10 a.m. at Civic Plaza, on input for the city's next 20 years of economic development planning. We haven't seen a recap confirming it took place.","kind":"meeting","source_url":"https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/node/19474","ts":2004},{"when":"2026-10-20","what":"Next regular Port Authority meeting, at 5:15 p.m.","kind":"meeting","source_url":"https://blmmn.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=13","ts":null},{"when":"2026-11-01","when_label":"November 2026","what":"Barb Wolf of the city's small-business team is to receive the Karen Evans Immigration Champion Award at a November ceremony for her work with immigrant-owned businesses.","kind":"meeting","source_url":null,"ts":1937},{"when":"2026-12-31","what":"Terms for Commissioners Rob Lunz and Cecilio Santana end. Staff said two commissioner seats open this cycle and current members must reapply to stay.","kind":"deadline","source_url":"https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/port/port-authority-commission","ts":1917},{"when":null,"what":"The City Council approved the Port Authority's preliminary 2027 levy on Sept. 14, and it goes to the county. Staff said the Port Authority will set its final levy later this year and can lower it from the preliminary amount, which works as a ceiling.","kind":"follow-up","source_url":"https://blmmn.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=13&event_id=1961","ts":1875},{"when":null,"what":"City staff plan a survey of vacant and city-owned land to see what could be redeveloped.","kind":"follow-up","source_url":null,"ts":1720}]},{"meeting":{"videoId":"pkSUFeBTehg","body":"council","date":"2026-09-14","title":"September 14, 2026 Bloomington City Council Meeting","video":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkSUFeBTehg"},"questions":[{"question":"Why is the city's levy increase about twice the rate of inflation?","answer":"City Manager Walker said inflation isn't the right yardstick because the city is \"in the people business,\" and personnel is 74% of the general fund. The preliminary 2027 levy is $100.2 million, up 6.64%, which works out to a 7.75% increase, about $128 a year, for the median-value home. The council can still lower the levy in December but can't raise it.","asked_by":"Councilmember Lowman","ts":3936,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkSUFeBTehg&t=3936s","in_room":"City Manager Walker said CPI isn't the right yardstick: the city is \"in the people business,\" with 74% of costs in personnel, insurance and infrastructure.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"The preliminary 2027 levy is $100.2 million, up 6.64%. Personnel is 74% of the general fund. For the median-value home that's a 7.75% increase, about $128 a year. The council can still lower the levy in December but can't raise it.","facts":["budget/what-preliminary-2027-tax-levy-did-bloomington-set-and-can-i","budget/how-much-of-bloomington-s-general-fund-budget-goes-to-person","budget/what-would-the-6-64-preliminary-levy-increase-mean-for-a-med","budget/can-a-minnesota-city-adopt-a-final-levy-higher-than-its-prel"]},{"question":"What would the city do if federal funding is cut or an emergency hits mid-year?","answer":"City Manager Walker said the city would either draw on reserves within its financial policies or cut spending right away through hiring freezes or service reductions. Federal grants are about $6 million, or 4.66%, of 2027 general fund revenue, while property taxes are 69%. The city's minimum reserve level wasn't stated at the meeting and doesn't appear in the budget packet.","asked_by":"Councilmember Carter","ts":4321,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkSUFeBTehg&t=4321s","in_room":"Walker said the city would either draw on reserves within its financial policies or cut spending right away through hiring freezes or service reductions.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"Federal grants are about $6 million, or 4.66%, of the 2027 general fund revenue; property taxes are 69%. The city's minimum reserve level wasn't stated at the meeting, and we didn't find it in the budget packet.","facts":["budget/how-much-of-bloomington-s-2027-general-fund-comes-from-feder"]},{"question":"Is Axon, in the police technology budget, the same as Flock, and does it share data with ICE?","answer":"That's still open; the mayor said he didn't know and would follow up. A 10-year, $22.1 million Axon deal that keeps the city's license plate readers and adds drones is on the Oct. 12 consent agenda. State law says plate data not tied to an active criminal case must be deleted within 60 days and shared only with other police agencies under set standards. Bloomington says its police don't take part in immigration enforcement.","asked_by":"Resident Allen (public comment; surname unclear in captions)","ts":3625,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkSUFeBTehg&t=3625s","in_room":"Mayor Busse said he didn't know whether Axon is equivalent to Flock and would have to get back to him.","status":"staff-to-follow-up","our_answer":"Still open on Axon's data handling. A 10-year, $22.1 million Axon deal that includes license plate readers and drones is on the Oct. 12 consent agenda. State law says plate data not tied to an active criminal case must be deleted within 60 days and shared only with other police under set standards. Bloomington says its police don't take part in immigration enforcement.","facts":["police-tech/what-is-in-the-axon-agreement-bloomington-police-brought-to-","police-tech/how-much-does-bloomington-s-2027-budget-set-aside-for-new-po","police-tech/how-long-can-minnesota-police-keep-license-plate-reader-data","police-tech/what-does-bloomington-say-about-its-police-and-federal-immig"]},{"question":"Why don't unpaid city fines show up when a property sells?","answer":"Because the city can't track every pending sale, the city attorney said; title companies usually call the city and are told about pending charges. Buyers and title companies can request a written special assessment search from the Assessor's Office at 952-563-8722. Sellers must disclose material facts they know of, though state law doesn't list city fines specifically. Whether time-of-sale rules will add pending fines is still open.","asked_by":"A caller (public hearing), then Councilmember Dallessandro","ts":5294,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkSUFeBTehg&t=5294s","in_room":"City Attorney Manderschied said title companies usually call the city and are told about pending charges, but the city can't track every pending sale. She said she would look into adding something to the time-of-sale process. Councilmember Nelson noted sellers must disclose material facts.","status":"staff-to-follow-up","our_answer":"Buyers and title companies can request a written special assessment search from the Assessor's Office at 952-563-8722. This year two homes had $2,200 in fines dropped because a former owner ran them up and sold. Whether time-of-sale rules will add pending fines is still open.","facts":["assessments/how-can-a-buyer-or-title-company-find-pending-special-assess","assessments/why-did-bloomington-drop-some-unpaid-civil-fines-from-its-20","assessments/what-must-a-minnesota-home-seller-disclose-to-a-buyer"]},{"question":"Why was a resident billed $155 for a contractor to haul away nine leaf bags?","answer":"The bill covered a city contractor removing nine bags of yard waste March 19, 2025, after a Feb. 18 nuisance notice the owners didn't appeal; the resident said he was abroad. Staff had already dropped a $100 inspection fee, leaving $155.36. Councilmembers compared it with the city's roughly $4.81-per-bag pickup fee and removed the charge Sept. 14, 7-0. The city's on-call bag pickup doesn't start until mid-April.","asked_by":"A Crest Road resident (public hearing); Councilmembers Lowman and Nelson","ts":6239,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkSUFeBTehg&t=6239s","in_room":"The resident said he was abroad when notices came. Councilmembers compared it to the city's roughly $4.81-per-bag pickup fee, and the council removed the charge, 7-0.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"The council took the $155.36 off the roll. The city's notice went out Feb. 18, 2025, and the bags were removed March 19, 2025. The city's on-call bag pickup doesn't start until mid-April. Staff had already dropped a $100 inspection fee.","facts":["nuisance/why-was-a-crest-road-home-s-yard-waste-charge-on-the-roll","nuisance/when-does-bloomington-s-on-call-yard-waste-pickup-run"]},{"question":"Does the James Avenue site have to be rezoned to R-3, or could it stay R-1?","answer":"It could stay R-1. Detached townhomes are allowed there too, but with larger setbacks, 30 feet vs. 20 in R-3, which staff said would probably cost one or two lots. The lots have been guided for medium density, up to 15 units an acre, since 1981. R-3 caps density at 12 an acre, and the plan is nine homes.","asked_by":"Kathy Jones (public hearing)","ts":8896,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkSUFeBTehg&t=8896s","in_room":"Staff said the main difference is setbacks, 30 feet in R-1 vs. 20 in R-3, and staying R-1 would probably cost one or two lots.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"The lots have been guided for medium density, up to 15 units an acre, since 1981. R-3 caps density at 12 an acre, and the plan is nine. Detached townhomes are allowed in R-1 too, with larger front and rear setbacks.","facts":["james-ave/why-does-the-james-avenue-cityhomes-project-need-rezoning-fr"]},{"question":"If the site is rezoned and lots don't sell, is there a minimum number of homes that must be built?","answer":"No. R-3 has no minimum, and the developer plans to plat nine lots and sell them to builders rather than build homes, so builders and buyers set the pace. The developer said he keeps control of the site until all nine lots sell, and an HOA would maintain the private drive. Changing the plan later would require a new plat process. The council takes the item up again Oct. 12.","asked_by":"Councilmember Carter","ts":8659,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkSUFeBTehg&t=8659s","in_room":"Staff said R-3 has no minimum, and changing the plan later would mean a new plat process. The developer said he keeps control of the site until all nine lots sell.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"The developer plans to sell lots, not build homes, so builders and buyers set the pace. An HOA would maintain the private drive. The city has until Nov. 12 to act.","facts":["james-ave/will-the-james-avenue-cityhomes-developer-build-the-homes","james-ave/when-must-bloomington-decide-on-james-avenue-cityhomes"]},{"question":"Can the council keep homes from reaching R-3's 50-foot height limit?","answer":"Yes, with the developer's agreement, and the developer has offered one. R-3 allows up to 50 feet, and staff said a construction management plan can't limit height, but the council could add a condition the developer accepted. On Sept. 23 the developer asked for a 40-foot cap, and staff drafted it as a condition for Oct. 12. Concept plans show a 20-foot one-story and a 40-foot two-story home.","asked_by":"Councilmember Dallessandro","ts":10940,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkSUFeBTehg&t=10940s","in_room":"Staff said a construction management plan can't limit height, but the council could add a condition if the developer agreed.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"Since then the developer has offered a 40-foot cap, and staff drafted it as a condition for Oct. 12. Concept plans show a 20-foot one-story and a 40-foot two-story home.","facts":["james-ave/how-tall-could-homes-on-the-james-avenue-cityhomes-lots-be"]},{"question":"Will the developer have to put up a privacy fence between the new homes and existing neighbors?","answer":"No. A fence isn't on the plans, and none of the 20 draft conditions requires one. After the Sept. 14 meeting, the developer added 12 arborvitae shrubs along parts of the north and south lines, near neighboring homes, for screening. Staff can fold them into the approved landscape plan.","asked_by":"Scott Theers (public hearing)","ts":9745,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkSUFeBTehg&t=9745s","in_room":"Staff said no fence is on the plans and deferred to the developer, who didn't answer it at the meeting.","status":"open","our_answer":"No fence is required in the draft conditions. The developer has since added 12 arborvitae shrubs along parts of the north and south lines for screening.","facts":["james-ave/does-the-james-avenue-cityhomes-approval-require-a-privacy-f"]},{"question":"How can a two-block street absorb the added traffic, plus construction crews?","answer":"City staff say it can. James Avenue carries about 200 cars a day, well under the 500 that draws concern, according to the city's traffic engineer, and the project adds about 66 trips; the 32-foot street still allows parking on both sides. Construction equipment can't be stored on the street, work hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and a construction management plan must be approved before a building permit.","asked_by":"Lanne Miguel and Sue Winchester (public hearing)","ts":9125,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkSUFeBTehg&t=9125s","in_room":"Traffic engineer Kirk Roberts said James Avenue carries about 200 cars a day, well under the 500 that draws concern, and the project adds about 66 trips.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"Staff estimate 66 more trips a day on a 32-foot street that allows parking on both sides. Construction equipment can't be stored on the street, work hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and a construction management plan is required before permits.","facts":["james-ave/what-does-the-city-say-about-traffic-and-construction-parkin"]}],"next":[{"when":"2026-10-12","what":"James Avenue CityHomes returns to the council as item 4.2, with no new public hearing and an optional 40-foot height cap. The outcome hadn't been posted when we checked.","kind":"vote","source_url":"https://blmmn.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=13&event_id=1963","ts":12098},{"when":"2026-10-12","what":"The 10-year, $22.1 million Axon police technology agreement is on the council's consent agenda (item 3.12). The outcome hadn't been posted when we checked.","kind":"vote","source_url":"https://blmmn.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=13&event_id=1963","ts":null},{"when":"2026-11-12","what":"The city's 120-day deadline to act on the James Avenue CityHomes rezoning, site plans and plat.","kind":"deadline","source_url":"https://d3n9y02raazwpg.cloudfront.net/blmmn/486a90e0-81ef-11f1-98fd-005056a89546-8a19d185-1bef-4240-8ed3-31251e24b789-1791476273.pdf","ts":11975},{"when":"2026-11-16","what":"Council budget study session with public comment on the 2027 levy and budget.","kind":"meeting","source_url":"https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/node/10909","ts":null},{"when":"2026-11-24","what":"Last day to pay a 2026 assessment in full before the city certifies it to Hennepin County for 2027 property taxes. Truth in Taxation notices showing proposed taxes arrive by the same date.","kind":"deadline","source_url":"https://d3n9y02raazwpg.cloudfront.net/blmmn/4862efed-81ef-11f1-98fd-005056a89546-8a19d185-1bef-4240-8ed3-31251e24b789-1789498058.pdf","ts":5191},{"when":"2026-12-07","what":"Truth in Taxation public hearing on the 2027 levy and general fund budget, 6:30 p.m., council chambers.","kind":"hearing","source_url":"https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/node/10909","ts":null},{"when":"2026-12-14","what":"The council is set to adopt the final 2027 levy and budget, which can't exceed the 6.64% preliminary increase.","kind":"vote","source_url":"https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/node/10909","ts":null},{"when":"2026-12-31","what":"Paige Rohman's appointment to the Merit Board runs through this date.","kind":"deadline","source_url":"https://d3n9y02raazwpg.cloudfront.net/blmmn/486a90e0-81ef-11f1-98fd-005056a89546-8a19d185-1bef-4240-8ed3-31251e24b789-1791476273.pdf","ts":1968},{"when":null,"what":"Mayor Busse said he'd report back on whether Axon is comparable to Flock.","kind":"follow-up","source_url":null,"ts":3863},{"when":null,"what":"The city attorney said she'd look into adding pending fines and assessments to the time-of-sale process.","kind":"follow-up","source_url":null,"ts":7360},{"when":null,"what":"The mayor asked staff to look into debt forgiveness for delinquent utility bills, such as paying it off by converting a lawn to native plants. He said it won't happen this year.","kind":"follow-up","source_url":null,"ts":5587},{"when":null,"what":"Councilmember Dallessandro asked for a future work-plan review of nuisance abatement and civil fines, noting more cases going to assessment.","kind":"follow-up","source_url":null,"ts":6787}]},{"meeting":{"videoId":"KmzQRAjZ9J0","body":"hra","date":"2026-09-08","title":"September 8, 2026 Housing and Redevelopment Authority Meeting","video":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmzQRAjZ9J0"},"questions":[{"question":"Did the emergency rent help reach families affected by immigration enforcement in east Bloomington?","answer":"That's unknown. The program collects demographic data but not whether a household was affected by immigration enforcement; staff offered to send racial data later. VEAP spent its full $125,000 by Aug. 19 helping 40 households, and the HRA voted 6-0 on Sept. 8 to give it another $55,000 to spend by Dec. 31. Staff said VEAP offers in-person help as well as online applications.","asked_by":"Commissioner Wooten","ts":638,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmzQRAjZ9J0&t=638s","in_room":"Staff said the program collects demographic data but not whether a household was affected by immigration enforcement, and offered to send racial data later. Staff said VEAP offers in-person help as well as online applications, and that VEAP's HRA money ran out in August, so applicants were sent to another partner.","status":"staff-to-follow-up","our_answer":"Still open. VEAP spent its full $125,000 by Aug. 19 and helped 40 households, but the minutes say the data can't show whether households were affected by enforcement. The HRA voted 6-0 to give VEAP another $55,000, to be spent by Dec. 31.","facts":["rent-help/does-the-hra-know-if-rent-help-reached-families-hit-by-immig","rent-help/how-much-emergency-rent-help-has-veap-given-out-for-the-hra","rent-help/did-the-hra-approve-the-extra-55-000-for-veap"]},{"question":"Could the HRA find rent-help money without state paperwork rules, so families afraid to share personal information still apply?","answer":"That's still open. A commissioner suggested looking for a smaller fund without state conditions but didn't know whether that would be legal, and staff didn't answer. State law allows LAHA rent help only for households earning under 80% of area median income. The paperwork has already cost a partner: Sakan, one of five groups picked in February, never reached a contract because it couldn't meet state compliance requirements.","asked_by":"Commissioner Carter","ts":943,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmzQRAjZ9J0&t=943s","in_room":"Carter said state compliance rules mean groups must ask for personal information, which keeps some immigrant families away. She suggested looking for a smaller fund without those conditions but said she didn't know whether that would be legal. No one from staff answered.","status":"open","our_answer":"Still open. State law allows LAHA rent help only for households earning under 80% of area median income. One of the five groups picked in February, Sakan, never reached a contract because it couldn't meet state compliance requirements, which is part of why $55,000 was left over.","facts":["housing-aid/what-can-laha-money-be-spent-on-under-state-law","rent-help/why-was-55-000-in-bloomington-rent-help-money-left-over","rent-help/who-qualifies-for-the-hra-s-emergency-rent-help-through-veap"]},{"question":"If the HRA funds a nonprofit group home's repairs, what stops for-profit group home owners from asking for the same money?","answer":"It's unclear. Staff said they didn't think private businesses are eligible for LAHA money but would look into it, and that gap financing for a private developer may be allowed. State law lists support for nonprofit housing providers as one use, but its category for rehabbing or gap-financing affordable housing doesn't require a nonprofit owner. Bloomington has 89 for-profit group homes of the same type as MORA's. The board denied MORA's request 6-0 and asked it to reapply once a formal application exists.","asked_by":"Commissioner Isse","ts":1654,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmzQRAjZ9J0&t=1654s","in_room":"Staff said they didn't think private businesses are eligible for LAHA money but would need to look into it further, adding that gap financing for a private developer may be allowed.","status":"answered-uncertain","our_answer":"State law lists support for nonprofit housing providers as one use, but its category for rehabbing or gap-financing affordable housing doesn't say the owner must be a nonprofit. Bloomington has 89 for-profit group homes of the same type as MORA's. The board turned down MORA 6-0 and asked it to reapply once a formal application exists.","facts":["housing-aid/what-can-laha-money-be-spent-on-under-state-law","housing-aid/how-many-licensed-group-homes-are-in-bloomington","housing-aid/did-the-hra-approve-mount-olivet-rolling-acres-laha-request"]},{"question":"When will the formal application for LAHA money be ready, so awards stop being made one project at a time?","answer":"Staff expect a draft application by the end of 2026, likely at an HRA meeting this year; it isn't on the Oct. 13 agenda, and the scoring system isn't built yet. Timing matters because each year's LAHA money must be committed within about three years or paid back to Minnesota Housing. Of the $3.43 million received through 2026, $1.66 million has been spent or committed.","asked_by":"Commissioner Wooten","ts":1708,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmzQRAjZ9J0&t=1708s","in_room":"Staff said a first draft exists and could be done in the next several months, likely at an HRA meeting this year. Staff said the scoring matrix isn't built yet and that legal counsel had reviewed MORA's request.","status":"staff-to-follow-up","our_answer":"Not yet. The minutes say staff expect a draft by the end of 2026, and it isn't on the Oct. 13 agenda. Timing matters: each year's LAHA money must be committed within about three years, and by staff's count $1.66 million of the $3.43 million received through 2026 has been spent or committed.","facts":["housing-aid/when-will-bloomington-s-laha-application-be-ready","housing-aid/what-would-bloomington-s-laha-application-ask-for","housing-aid/how-fast-must-bloomington-spend-its-laha-money","housing-aid/how-much-laha-money-has-bloomington-s-hra-received-and-spent"]},{"question":"Who builds HousingLink's AI fair housing chatbot, and how does it protect people's private information?","answer":"HousingLink builds it itself, city staff said, and it was designed not to take names, locations or other details that could identify someone. No public description of its privacy protections has been found; the city's report says only that HousingLink got block grant money to help develop the chatbot. HousingLink finished the funded work after the June 30 program-year deadline, and staff offered to get more details.","asked_by":"Commissioner Doblinger","ts":2977,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmzQRAjZ9J0&t=2977s","in_room":"Staff said HousingLink builds it itself and that it was designed not to take names, locations or other details that could identify someone. Staff said HousingLink could provide more details and offered to get them.","status":"staff-to-follow-up","our_answer":"Still open. The city's report says only that HousingLink got block grant money to help develop an AI fair housing chatbot and hadn't finished by June 30. The minutes say it completed the work after that deadline. We found no public description of its privacy protections.","facts":["cdbg/what-is-housinglink-s-ai-fair-housing-chatbot","cdbg/where-did-unfinished-2025-cdbg-projects-stand-in-sept-2026"]},{"question":"Can the city push grant partners to serve more people of color, given that most seniors helped were White?","answer":"Not for this program right now: staff said Senior Community Services isn't being funded in 2026, so the city has no lever there. Future requests for proposals could require an affirmative marketing plan. The group's home program helped 92 people in the year ending June 30, 2026, and 81 were White, or 88%, compared with 65% of Bloomington; the city's report calls that expected because the program serves homeowners.","asked_by":"Commissioner Isse","ts":3061,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmzQRAjZ9J0&t=3061s","in_room":"Staff said Senior Community Services isn't being funded in 2026, so the city has no lever there now. Future requests for proposals could require an affirmative marketing plan, and staff could give the group feedback.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"The report shows 81 of the 92 people helped were White, or 88%, compared with 65% of Bloomington; the city says that's expected because the program serves homeowners. The City Council approved the report Sept. 14.","facts":["cdbg/who-did-bloomington-s-2025-cdbg-programs-serve","cdbg/did-the-city-council-approve-bloomington-s-2025-caper"]},{"question":"Does the HRA's own home rehab loan program show the same racial gap?","answer":"There are no numbers yet. The HRA made no new rehab loans in the year ending June 30, 2026, because HUD added a SAVE eligibility check the HRA couldn't use for most of the year and the grant agreement came late. Three loans are now in process. Staff promised figures from earlier years and said they are working on outreach and a wider pool of contractors before the waitlist reopens.","asked_by":"Commissioner Wooten","ts":3114,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmzQRAjZ9J0&t=3114s","in_room":"Staff said they didn't have the numbers because the program has slowed and has only three loans going now. Staff promised figures from earlier years and said they're working with the city's communications staff on outreach and on widening the pool of contractors before the waitlist reopens.","status":"staff-to-follow-up","our_answer":"Still open. The HRA made no new rehab loans in the year ending June 30, 2026: HUD added a SAVE eligibility check the HRA couldn't use for most of the year, and the grant agreement came late. Three loans are now in process.","facts":["cdbg/why-did-bloomington-s-home-rehab-loans-stall-in-2025-2026","cdbg/where-did-unfinished-2025-cdbg-projects-stand-in-sept-2026"]},{"question":"Will the new homes at the St. Mark's site need a homeowners association, and who will maintain the road?","answer":"No homeowners association is needed, and staff said the road will be public. The HRA designed the site to work without a homeowners association in all three layouts, and the only shared arrangement would be the common wall in a duplex. Staff said the stormwater system may be public too. The tradeoff is cost: the estimated subsidy gap runs from about $240,000 a home with 24 homes to $318,750 with 16.","asked_by":"Commissioner Wooten","ts":4070,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmzQRAjZ9J0&t=4070s","in_room":"Staff said the site is being designed without an HOA. The road will be public, the stormwater system may be public too, and the only shared arrangement would be the common wall in a duplex.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"The staff report confirms none of the three layouts needs an HOA. The tradeoff is cost: road and land costs are about the same in each, so the estimated gap runs from about $240,000 a home with 24 homes to $318,750 with 16.","facts":["st-marks/will-the-st-mark-s-homes-have-a-homeowners-association","st-marks/what-housing-layouts-is-the-hra-weighing-for-st-mark-s"]},{"question":"Would market-rate homes at St. Mark's count toward the units the grant requires?","answer":"No. The grant requires 16 homes, and any market-rate homes would be extra, separate from the grant requirements, and could only help cover the funding gap. The HRA is also chasing other money: it got a $225,000 Met Council grant in September and plans to apply for $1.575 million more by Oct. 15. Construction is set to start in summer 2027.","asked_by":"Commissioner Doblinger","ts":5301,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmzQRAjZ9J0&t=5301s","in_room":"Staff said no. The grant requires 16 homes; market-rate homes would be extra and would only help cover the funding gap.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"That matches the minutes. The HRA is also chasing other money: it got a $225,000 Met Council grant in September and plans to ask for $1.575 million more by Oct. 15. Construction is set to start in summer 2027.","facts":["st-marks/do-market-rate-homes-count-toward-the-st-mark-s-grant","st-marks/what-grants-is-the-hra-seeking-for-st-mark-s","st-marks/what-is-the-timeline-for-the-st-mark-s-homes"]},{"question":"What's behind the cost overruns at The Heights condos, and does the HRA have to pay for them?","answer":"Hidden structural damage, prevailing-wage rules, extra facade and balcony repairs and a subcontractor that went out of business are behind it, and the HRA isn't obligated to pay, though staff recommend it help. The garage rehab at 8045 Xerxes Ave. S. needs another $697,222, for about $3.2 million total. Completion slid to summer 2027. Staff recommend a $622,222 forgivable loan, with the HOA putting in $75,000 first, up for a vote Oct. 13.","asked_by":"Commissioner Wooten","ts":5533,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmzQRAjZ9J0&t=5533s","in_room":"Staff said the HRA isn't obligated to provide more money and that costs and timing were still being worked out. Staff proposed a site tour with the contractor and condo association; Wooten said a tour wasn't what he needed; he wanted to know what the overruns are.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"The Oct. 13 packet spells it out: another $697,222, for about $3.2 million total, because of hidden structural damage, prevailing-wage rules, extra facade and balcony work and a subcontractor that went out of business. Completion slid to summer 2027. Staff recommend a $622,222 forgivable loan, up for a vote Oct. 13.","facts":["heights-condos/why-does-the-heights-garage-repair-need-more-money","heights-condos/is-the-hra-obligated-to-cover-the-heights-cost-overruns","heights-condos/what-is-the-hra-asked-to-give-the-heights-on-oct-13","heights-condos/what-public-financing-has-the-heights-already-received"]}],"next":[{"when":"2026-09-11","what":"Public comments on the 2025 block grant report were due; no one spoke at the Sept. 8 hearing.","kind":"deadline","source_url":"https://d3n9y02raazwpg.cloudfront.net/blmmn/b6839980-8451-11f1-bb61-005056a89546-f3749ff2-1ced-49e5-9a84-5afc460b365f-1788558679.pdf","ts":2827},{"when":"2026-09-14","what":"The City Council approved the 2025 block grant report for HUD on its consent agenda, 7-0.","kind":"vote","source_url":"https://d3n9y02raazwpg.cloudfront.net/blmmn/486a90e0-81ef-11f1-98fd-005056a89546-8a19d185-1bef-4240-8ed3-31251e24b789-1791476273.pdf","ts":2869},{"when":"2026-09-21","what":"Staff floated Sept. 21 or Sept. 23 for a board tour of The Heights garage; we found no record of whether it happened.","kind":"meeting","source_url":null,"ts":5648},{"when":"2026-09-28","what":"Staff said the block grant report would be submitted by Sept. 28; we found no public confirmation that it was.","kind":"deadline","source_url":null,"ts":2383},{"when":"2026-10-13","what":"The HRA votes on a $622,222 forgivable loan of LAHA money to finish The Heights garage, and on approving these Sept. 8 minutes.","kind":"vote","source_url":"https://d3n9y02raazwpg.cloudfront.net/blmmn/b6870ae6-8451-11f1-bb61-005056a89546-f3749ff2-1ced-49e5-9a84-5afc460b365f-1791582591.pdf","ts":null},{"when":"2026-10-13","what":"The HRA considers backing a $1.575 million Met Council grant request for St. Mark's and a $50,000 contract to train its developers.","kind":"vote","source_url":"https://d3n9y02raazwpg.cloudfront.net/blmmn/b6870ae6-8451-11f1-bb61-005056a89546-f3749ff2-1ced-49e5-9a84-5afc460b365f-1791582591.pdf","ts":null},{"when":"2026-10-15","what":"The Met Council grant application for the St. Mark's road, grading and stormwater work is due.","kind":"deadline","source_url":"https://d3n9y02raazwpg.cloudfront.net/blmmn/b6870ae6-8451-11f1-bb61-005056a89546-f3749ff2-1ced-49e5-9a84-5afc460b365f-1791582591.pdf","ts":null},{"when":"2026-11-01","what":"Applications close for one open seat on the HRA board; the mayor appoints and the council approves in November or December.","kind":"deadline","source_url":"https://d3n9y02raazwpg.cloudfront.net/blmmn/b6870ae6-8451-11f1-bb61-005056a89546-f3749ff2-1ced-49e5-9a84-5afc460b365f-1791582591.pdf","ts":5413},{"when":"2026-12-01","when_label":"By end of 2026","what":"Staff expect a draft formal application for LAHA money; MORA was told to reapply through it.","kind":"follow-up","source_url":"https://d3n9y02raazwpg.cloudfront.net/blmmn/b6870ae6-8451-11f1-bb61-005056a89546-f3749ff2-1ced-49e5-9a84-5afc460b365f-1791582591.pdf","ts":1919},{"when":"2026-12-31","what":"VEAP's deadline to spend its extra $55,000 in emergency rent help.","kind":"deadline","source_url":"https://d3n9y02raazwpg.cloudfront.net/blmmn/b6839980-8451-11f1-bb61-005056a89546-f3749ff2-1ced-49e5-9a84-5afc460b365f-1788558679.pdf","ts":null},{"when":"2027-06-01","when_label":"Summer 2027","what":"St. Mark's lots close, permits issue and home construction begins, per staff's schedule.","kind":"follow-up","source_url":"https://d3n9y02raazwpg.cloudfront.net/blmmn/b6839980-8451-11f1-bb61-005056a89546-f3749ff2-1ced-49e5-9a84-5afc460b365f-1788558679.pdf","ts":3597},{"when":"2027-06-30","what":"Proposed new deadline to finish The Heights garage, if the HRA and City Council approve the amended agreement.","kind":"deadline","source_url":"https://d3n9y02raazwpg.cloudfront.net/blmmn/b6870ae6-8451-11f1-bb61-005056a89546-f3749ff2-1ced-49e5-9a84-5afc460b365f-1791582591.pdf","ts":null},{"when":null,"what":"Staff to send the board racial data on households helped with emergency rent.","kind":"follow-up","source_url":null,"ts":717},{"when":null,"what":"Staff to send earlier years' demographics for the HRA home rehab loan program.","kind":"follow-up","source_url":null,"ts":3158},{"when":null,"what":"Staff to get details from HousingLink on how its fair housing chatbot protects privacy.","kind":"follow-up","source_url":null,"ts":3044},{"when":null,"what":"Staff to return to the board with the civil engineer's findings and neighborhood feedback before finalizing the St. Mark's site plan.","kind":"follow-up","source_url":"https://d3n9y02raazwpg.cloudfront.net/blmmn/b6870ae6-8451-11f1-bb61-005056a89546-f3749ff2-1ced-49e5-9a84-5afc460b365f-1791582591.pdf","ts":5234}]},{"meeting":{"videoId":"5-I7VJSRh4s","body":"planning","date":"2026-09-03","title":"September 3, 2026 Bloomington Planning Commission Meeting","video":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-I7VJSRh4s"},"questions":[{"question":"Is there enough parking at 1321 American Blvd. East for a dance studio alongside the offices already there?","answer":"Probably. City staff said a parking analysis found enough room because the studio's busy hours differ from the offices', and the applicants put the site at 200 to 250 spaces. The code has no line for sports training facilities like dance studios, so the city sets the requirement from similar uses; a health club needs 1 space per 250 square feet, or 1 per 300 under the ordinance before the council Oct. 12. The studio must still meet the minimum at building permit review.","asked_by":"Chair Cunningham","ts":508,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-I7VJSRh4s&t=508s","in_room":"Staff said a general parking analysis found enough parking, since the studio's busy hours differ from the offices'. The applicants put the site at 200 to 250 spaces. Planning Supervisor Kastenday said the studio must still meet minimum parking rules at building permit review or seek a separate approval, and Assistant City Attorney Toskey said the vote was only on whether the use belongs in the district.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"The code's parking table has no line for sports training facilities, so the city sets the requirement from similar uses. The closest listed use, health club, needs 1 space per 250 square feet, which the parking ordinance before the council Oct. 12 would ease to 1 per 300. Uses with different peak hours can share parking within 500 feet.","facts":["sports-facilities/how-much-parking-does-bloomington-require-for-a-sports-train","parking-rules/what-parking-flexibility-measures-does-bloomington-offer","parking-rules/when-does-the-city-council-hear-the-parking-ordinance"]},{"question":"How many students and instructors will be in the dance studio at once, and will it host competitions?","answer":"A studio representative estimated about 60 people at the busiest hour, and whether it will host competitions is still open. The busiest hour would be in three groups, and the slowest would have about 20 people. The applicant's narrative describes recreational and competitive classes, rehearsals and performances, mostly on evenings and weekends, but doesn't say whether competitions would be held there. City code allows competitions at a dance studio only as a side activity, and only with sufficient parking.","asked_by":"Councilmember Victor Rivas (speaking in the public hearing)","ts":887,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-I7VJSRh4s&t=887s","in_room":"A studio representative estimated the busiest hour at about 60 people in three groups and the slowest at about 20. No one answered the competition question.","status":"answered-uncertain","our_answer":"Still open. The applicant's written narrative describes recreational and competitive dance classes, rehearsals and performances, mostly on evenings and weekends, but doesn't say whether competitions would be held there. City code lets a sports training facility host large group classes and competitions only as side activities, and only with sufficient parking.","facts":["sports-facilities/what-does-just-for-kix-plan-at-1321-american-blvd-east","sports-facilities/can-a-bloomington-sports-training-facility-host-competitions"]},{"question":"Could traffic from the studio back up the nearby freeway ramps?","answer":"That's still open. The applicants said the site reaches both Highway 77 and I-494 and the studio wouldn't affect traffic, and a commissioner asked staff to watch parking and traffic on American Boulevard closely. The staff report says staff aren't concerned because the FD-2 district sits along high-volume roads, but it cites no traffic study. FD-2 is meant in part to keep heavy traffic generators from congesting the freeways.","asked_by":"Councilmember Victor Rivas (speaking in the public hearing)","ts":924,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-I7VJSRh4s&t=924s","in_room":"An applicant said the site reaches both Highway 77 and I-494 and American Boulevard is already busy, so the studio wouldn't affect traffic. Commissioner Summers, who drives that stretch daily, asked staff to watch parking and traffic on American Boulevard closely.","status":"answered-uncertain","our_answer":"Still open. The FD-2 district is meant in part to keep heavy traffic generators from congesting the freeways. The staff report cites no traffic study; it says staff aren't concerned because FD-2 sits along high-volume roads.","facts":["sports-facilities/what-is-bloomington-s-fd-2-zoning-district-meant-for","sports-facilities/what-did-staff-say-about-fd-2-sports-training-traffic"]},{"question":"Are the goats and sheep used for grazing owned by the city or rented?","answer":"Rented, according to Assistant City Attorney Toskey, who said they come from companies that lease goats and sheep to landowners to clear buckthorn and other invasive plants. The city already uses goats on city-owned land, and Park Maintenance asked to add sheep and raise the herd limit to two per tenth of an acre. Anyone grazing needs a commercial animal license, sites must be at least an acre, and grazing isn't allowed December through March.","asked_by":"Commissioner Munster","ts":2026,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-I7VJSRh4s&t=2026s","in_room":"Assistant City Attorney Toskey said they're rented from companies that lease goats and sheep to public and private landowners to clear buckthorn and other invasive plants, and that the city has used them a few times. He didn't know how many private landowners hold licenses.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"The staff report says the city already uses goats for grazing on city-owned land, and Park Maintenance asked to add sheep and double the herd limit. It doesn't say who owns the animals. Anyone grazing needs a commercial animal license, sites must be at least an acre, and grazing isn't allowed December through March.","facts":["grazing/why-did-bloomington-add-sheep-to-its-grazing-rules","grazing/what-does-bloomington-s-code-now-say-about-using-goats-and-s"]},{"question":"Why must a residential care facility take up a whole building, and should the rule cover townhouses too?","answer":"Because the city already requires it for duplexes and apartment buildings, and whether townhouses should be added is still open. The ordinance the council took up Sept. 28 extends the rule to three-family, fourplex and multiplex homes. Planning staff added that state licensing may limit splitting a building, which couldn't be confirmed. Townhouses aren't on the list. Staff said attached townhouses could be added if the commission recommended it, and a commissioner said he might raise it for the 2027 work plan.","asked_by":"Commissioner Coleman","ts":2124,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-I7VJSRh4s&t=2124s","in_room":"Planning Supervisor Kastenday said the city already requires that for duplexes and apartment buildings and the change only extends it to the new \"missing middle\" types, adding that state licensing may limit splitting a building. Staff said attached townhouses could be added if the commission recommended it. Coleman said he would think about it and might raise it for the 2027 work plan.","status":"open","our_answer":"Still open. The ordinance the council took up Sept. 28 bars care facilities from two-family through multiple-family buildings unless they occupy the whole structure; townhouses aren't on the list. State law treats a licensed home for six or fewer people as a single-family use for zoning, and one for 7 to 16 as a multifamily use. We couldn't confirm whether state licensing limits sharing a building.","facts":["residential-care/where-can-residential-care-facilities-go-in-multi-unit-homes","residential-care/does-the-whole-building-care-home-rule-cover-townhouses","residential-care/how-does-minnesota-zoning-law-treat-licensed-care-homes"]},{"question":"How much water does car detailing use, and could runoff reach storm drains?","answer":"No figure was given, though planning staff said detailing likely uses less water than a car wash, and runoff isn't supposed to reach storm drains. City code now treats detailing as low-volume hand work, separate from car washes. The state plumbing code sends floor drains in vehicle wash bays to the sanitary sewer, with oil interceptors at vehicle wash facilities, and the city counts car wash water in storm drains as an illicit discharge. Building permit review checks drains and sewer connections.","asked_by":"Commissioner Linnee","ts":2733,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-I7VJSRh4s&t=2733s","in_room":"Planner Hestbech said staff believe detailing uses less water than a car wash. Planning Supervisor Kastenday said building permit review checks floor drains and sanitary sewer connections, and that detailing shops would still need to handle things like oil-water separation, though not necessarily the exact car-wash standards.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"City code now treats detailing as low-volume hand work, separate from high-throughput car washes. The state plumbing code sends floor drains in vehicle wash bays to the sanitary sewer and requires oil interceptors at vehicle wash facilities, and the city counts car wash water in storm drains as an illicit discharge.","facts":["car-detailing/why-did-bloomington-split-car-detailing-from-car-washes","car-detailing/where-must-floor-drains-in-a-minnesota-vehicle-wash-bay-go","car-detailing/when-does-minnesota-require-an-oil-interceptor-for-vehicles","car-detailing/can-car-wash-water-go-into-bloomington-storm-drains"]},{"question":"Where does the Bloomington 2050 comprehensive plan stand?","answer":"The first phase of public engagement wrapped up by September, with 608 resident interactions. City staff said draft value statements and guiding principles go to the city's boards and commissions in October, with a formal presentation to the Planning Commission at the end of October. The Vision & Values phase starts in early 2027 and a third phase follows in summer and fall 2027. The City Council and Met Council must review the final plan.","asked_by":"Commissioner Summers","ts":3236,"clip":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-I7VJSRh4s&t=3236s","in_room":"Planning Supervisor Kastenday said the first phase of public engagement was done. In October staff would take draft value statements and guiding principles to the city's boards and commissions, with a formal presentation to this commission at the end of October and more public engagement in 2027.","status":"answered-in-room","our_answer":"That matches the city's project page: the first phase wrapped up by September with 608 resident interactions, the Vision & Values phase starts in early 2027, and a third phase follows in summer and fall 2027. State law requires the update every 10 years, and the City Council and Met Council must review the final plan.","facts":["comp-plan/where-does-bloomington-2050-stand-now","comp-plan/why-is-bloomington-updating-its-comprehensive-plan-and-what-"]}],"next":[{"when":"2026-09-17","what":"The Planning Commission held hearings on renaming part of Hopkins Road to Mission Road and on the off-street parking ordinance; it recommended the rename 5-0 and the parking ordinance 4-1, and approved these Sept. 3 minutes.","kind":"hearing","source_url":"https://blmmn.granicus.com/services/minutes/reports/8d8561d0-5170-4a5d-aa6e-a8ca95e2dd80/attachment","ts":3087},{"when":"2026-09-21","what":"Board and commission members were invited to a Boards and Commissions Connect gathering with the council, 6 to 8 p.m. at Civic Plaza; we found no public account of how it went.","kind":"meeting","source_url":"https://blmmn.granicus.com/services/minutes/reports/cb215c9d-33e2-4378-9d1d-5463992cd215/attachment","ts":3159},{"when":"2026-09-28","what":"The City Council adopted all three items 5-0: sports training in the FD-2 district (Ordinance No. 2026-31), the cleanup ordinances (Nos. 2026-32 to 2026-47) and the minor policy ordinances on cannabis odor, car detailing, tree preservation, trailer parking and rezoning applications (Nos. 2026-48 to 2026-52), according to the draft minutes.","kind":"vote","source_url":"https://d3n9y02raazwpg.cloudfront.net/blmmn/486a90e0-81ef-11f1-98fd-005056a89546-8a19d185-1bef-4240-8ed3-31251e24b789-1791476273.pdf","ts":2419},{"when":"2026-10-01","what":"The Planning Commission held its hearing on remote airport parking at 3601 American Blvd. East and a study session on sports training, health club and indoor recreation uses; both took place.","kind":"meeting","source_url":"https://d3n9y02raazwpg.cloudfront.net/blmmn/d692da5a-81ec-11f1-98fd-005056a89546-e8ed8cee-87fb-4526-8c58-61cd59957878-1790277249.pdf","ts":3122},{"when":"2026-10-12","what":"The City Council holds a public hearing on the off-street parking ordinance, which would ease minimums for many uses, including health clubs.","kind":"hearing","source_url":"https://d3n9y02raazwpg.cloudfront.net/blmmn/486a90e0-81ef-11f1-98fd-005056a89546-8a19d185-1bef-4240-8ed3-31251e24b789-1791476273.pdf","ts":null},{"when":"2026-10-29","when_label":"Late October","what":"Staff plan a formal Bloomington 2050 presentation to the Planning Commission, with draft value statements and guiding principles; the Oct. 1 meeting placed a 2050 update on the Oct. 29 agenda.","kind":"meeting","source_url":null,"ts":3255},{"when":"2027-01-01","when_label":"Early 2027","what":"Bloomington 2050's Vision & Values phase opens with more public engagement.","kind":"meeting","source_url":"https://letstalk.bloomingtonmn.gov/bloomington-2050-the-vision-for-bloomington-s-future","ts":3290},{"when":null,"what":"The FD-2 change takes effect once its summary is published; as of Oct. 12 the online city code didn't yet list sports training as allowed in FD-2.","kind":"effective","source_url":"https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/bloomington/latest/bloomington_mn/0-0-0-109730","ts":null},{"when":null,"what":"The dance studio needs a building permit, and staff will check minimum parking and site items such as exterior lighting then.","kind":"follow-up","source_url":"https://d3n9y02raazwpg.cloudfront.net/blmmn/d6860273-81ec-11f1-98fd-005056a89546-e8ed8cee-87fb-4526-8c58-61cd59957878-1787853556.pdf","ts":1170},{"when":null,"what":"Commissioner Coleman said he might propose studying residential care facilities in townhouses for the 2027 work plan.","kind":"follow-up","source_url":null,"ts":2281}]}]}