Council approves code amendment to permit existing remote airport parking as conditional use in CX-2; future redevelopment requirement added

Bloomington City Council on March 23 adopted a privately initiated amendment to city code that changes how existing remote airport parking facilities are regulated and sets a pathway for future redevelopment.

Planning staff explained the amendment would remove the remote-airport-parking interim-use designation, create a conditional-use allowance for existing remote airport parking in the CX-2 zoning district, and require operators to designate a future development site (2.75 acres along American Boulevard East) with a compliance date (2036) to facilitate longer-term redevelopment consistent with the city27s comprehensive plan. Staff and the applicant said the CX-2 district offers greater flexibility for future development than the HSR district and that permanent zoning rights help operators secure financing for phased redevelopment.

Applicant representatives and operators urged council approval, saying permanent rights are necessary to finance future structures and mixed-use development. Developer Christine Muir and operator Park and Go representatives argued that without permanent rights financing for redevelopment is difficult: "Big banks do not want to finance you on shifting sand with temporary rights," one speaker said. Opposing council comments emphasized the long history of these sites as temporary surface parking and expressed unease about making surface parking a permanent use in the South Loop.

Councilmember Bowman moved to adopt the ordinance; the motion carried on a roll-call vote of 62D1, with Councilmember Nelson recorded in opposition. The council also authorized summary publication.