City of Bloomington – Sustainable Development Incentives

The City of Bloomington offers fee waivers and other design incentives for developers that incorporate the city’s sustainability goals. A full description of the incentives can be found in the city code at 20.04.110 or at the website listed above. The city’s four goals include:

• Energy and resource efficiency. Features that meet the energy and resource efficiency goal include green roofs, improved building performance rating, the use of non-polluting and/or renewable on-site energy sources, recycling and/or salvaging at least 50 percent of non-hazardous construction and demolition debris, or utilizing building materials and products sourced within a 500 mile radius.
• Landscape and site design. Qualifying designs include the use of at least 25% permeable pavement, utilization of natural vegetation and other techniques to convey and filter storm water, employ systems to recycle at least 50% of greywater and storm water, retention of 90% of area tree canopy, and/or conservation of land with a slope of 12% or greater.
• Public policy. Public policy commitments include incorporating mixed use development, providing 100% of the required long term bicycle parking spaces, decreasing automobile parking while increasing bicycle parking, and providing subsidized Bloomington Transit passes or a private van or shuttle.
• Public transportation. Qualifying projects are located near a transit stop, activity center, downtown, public school or park, or multi-use trail.

Incentives are based on a three-tiered system, with bonuses according to the number of sustainable practices included in the projects:

• Level 1 Requirements: At least two energy and resource efficiency projects, one landscape and site design project, one public policy project, and one public transportation project.
• Level 2 Requirements: At least three energy and resource efficiency projects, two landscape and site design projects, two public policy projects, and two public transportation projects.
• Level 3 Requirements: At least four energy and resource efficiency projects, two landscape and site design projects, two public policy projects, two public transportation projects. In addition, at least 15% of housing must be allocated for affordable housing units.

All three levels are eligible for waivers of filing fees with the plan commission and/or board of zoning appeals, fees associated with right-of-way excavation permits, and sewer hook-on fees. In addition, projects may be subject to less strict development standards:

• Level 1 Residential Incentives: Side building setbacks decreased to 6 feet and rear building setbacks decreased to 20 feet.
• Level 1 Nonresidential Incentives: Side building setbacks decreased by 25%, rear building setbacks decreased by 25%, and maximum residential density increased by 25%.
• Level 2 Residential Incentives: Side building setbacks decreased to 5 feet and rear building setbacks decreased to 15 feet.
• Level 2 Nonresidential Incentives: Side building setbacks decreased by 50%, rear building setbacks decreased by 50%, and maximum residential density increased by 50%.
• Level 3 Residential Incentives: Side building setbacks decreased to 5 feet and rear building setbacks decreased to 15 feet.
• Level 3 Nonresidential Incentives: Side building setbacks decreased by 50%, rear building setbacks decreased by 50%, and maximum residential density increased by 75%.