Council adopts Phase Two of "Missing Middle" ordinance with conditions on detached townhouses

Bloomington City Council on March 23 adopted Phase Two of its "Missing Middle" ordinance, revising how certain multi-unit housing types are treated in single-family (R-1) neighborhoods.

Planning staff summarized the changes adopted under the staff-recommended Option B: cottage court dwellings will be permitted in R-1, while detached townhouse dwellings will also be allowed as a permitted use but must meet the same performance and height standards as single-family homes. Staff noted minimum cottage-court scale (at least five cottages) and a density cap of about 12 units per acre to guide future development.

"Those changes have been made and are now reflected in the proposed ordinance," planning staff said, adding that the ordinance clarifies height limits (no more than two stories or 40 feet; 30 feet for flat roofs) and uses tiered setbacks to address proximity to property lines. Council members asked about notification and public hearings; staff said final-site plans and conditional-use applications still require notice to property owners within 500 feet and posting on the city website.

Councilmembers discussed neighborhood concerns about height, public notification timing and ensuring that middle-housing types meet single-family performance standards. Councilmember Nelson said follow-up from staff answered his questions and that he supported Option B. Councilmember Dalessandro and others urged clearer and earlier notice to neighbors in the permitting timeline.

A motion by Councilmember D'ALESSANDRO and second by Councilmember Rebus adopted the ordinance as amended (Option B). The ordinance passed on roll call by a unanimous vote.