The Bloomington City Council will hold a public hearing on December 2, 2024, at 6:30 pm in the Council Chambers at Bloomington Civic Plaza, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington, Minnesota, or by electronic means as permitted by State law, to consider File #PL202400192, and application by the City of Bloomington for multiple amendments to City Code, thereby amending Chapters 8, 9, 17, 21, 22 and Appendix A of the City Code.
Proposed revisions include: add measurement standards and exceptions for buffers from both indoor pet facilities and outdoor pet areas [§ 21.302.28(c)(2)(A), § 21.302.28(c)(2)(B)], add noise studies as a special study that may be required content for final site and building plan and conditional use permit applications [§ 21.501.01(f)(6) § 21.501.04(j)(6)], revise business driveway approach section to provide City Engineer discretion for when the public right-of-way may be used for loading or maneuvering [§ 17.14(c)], update incorrect grammar in the “Arts and Crafts Festival” definition [§ 21.601], delete reference to the definition of functional household and boarding house in the zoning code family definition [§ 21.601], replace incorrect reference to conditional use permit with reference to interim use permit [§ 21.501.05(a)(5)], edit grammar to delete “or” from the permitted dates for election sign displays [§ 21.304.12(a)(10)(C)(ii)], change language to prohibit pet services facilities as a home business except for permitted pet grooming [§ 21.302.13(c)(3)(l)], add code reference section where one was missing in the use tables for restaurants located within a multiple-family facility [§ 21.209(c)], add the word “parking” before “surface” in the lighting standards table [§ 21.301.07(c)(12)], edit the motor vehicle definitions in Chapter 8 and Chapter 21 to match each other [§ 8.04, § 21.601], consolidate the allowances for arbors and trellises in one section [§ 21.301.08(m)(1)(A), § 21.301.08(m)(1)(B)], add driveway permits as an application process and add the fee within Appendix A [Appendix A,§ 21.502.01(c)], create an exception to the requirement for a private sidewalk link if the City Engineer deems it impractical due to physical characteristics of the property [§ 21.301.04(g)], add tree preservation plans as a requirement where applicable for Type I plat applications [§ 22.05(f)(1)(E)], add “ballrooms” to the “recreation and entertainment, indoor” definition, and delete “dance studios” and add “dance training studios” to the “sports training facilities” definition [§ 21.601], modify the provision requiring two-family dwelling garage door maximum requirements for doors facing a street from 40 to 50 percent [§ 21.302.04(c)(7)], delete the provision from the exterior lighting section that discusses the final lighting compliance date [§ 21.301.07(i)], update the landscaping and screening standards and definitions section to correspond with other City Code changes related to managed natural landscapes [§ 21.301.15(a)(14), § 21.301.15(c)(5), § 21.301.15(f)(5), § 21.301.15(f)(6), § 21.601], clarify that structure setbacks are measured from the foundation of a structure to the nearest property line [§ 21.301.02(j)], create standards for agricultural stands to sell products that are not grown on-site with the permission of the property owner and other various standards [§ 21.302.40(a), § 21.302.40(b)], create a definition for “retail sales, heavy equipment” [§ 21.601], create a definition for a sunshade and allow them to encroach into required setbacks when under a certain height [§ 21.301.02(g)(3)(K), § 21.601], create a standalone section for vehicle and trailer parking and storage in residential zones [§ 21.301.06(m), § 21.301.20(a), § 21.301.20(b), § 21.301.20(c), § 21.301.20(d)], change the date allowance for the start of snowplow storage from November 1st to October 1st [§ 21.301.20(a)(3)(A)(i)], add a requirement for two-foot clear zones adjacent to public sidewalks as determined by the City Engineer [§ 21.301.04(d)(10), § 21.301.04(e)(4)], update the zoning code definition of basement to match the building code definition [§ 21.601], add language about reporting to ensure that the Affordable Housing Trust Fund meets the statutory definition of a Local Housing Trust Fund [§ 9.42(b)], and grant the City Engineer and Planning Manager to exempt measurement from the planned widened right-of-way for structure setbacks through an encroachment agreement [§ 21.301.02(b)(1)].
How you can participate in the City Council Meeting
To watch the meeting
To provide public testimony on public hearing items
- Attend in person; or
- Speak by phone during a public hearing by dialing 1-415-655-0001. Enter access code TBA # and password 120224#. Press *3 to "raise your hand" to indicate a desire to speak; your line will remain muted until it is your turn. When it is your turn to speak, the Council Secretary will call on you by the first six digits of your phone number and will unmute your line. Listen for notification that your line has been unmuted before speaking.
- Offer testimony in advance of the meeting by leaving a voicemail at 952-563-4695 or emailing councilsecretary@bloomingtonmn.gov no later than 2 p.m. on the meeting date. Include the item number and title listed on the agenda. Include your name, phone number, and address when leaving a voicemail or email. Please indicate if you also plan to attend in person or call in during the meeting to provide live testimony.
Meeting agenda and documents are available at blm.mn/meetings.
Further information
Copies of the proposed ordinances are attached below. For more information or to submit comments, contact Emily Hestbech, Planner, 1800 West Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington, MN 55431-3027. (952) 563-4507 or ehestbech@BloomingtonMN.gov
