WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, February 9th, 2021.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Aaron Comforty hosts part two of a panel discussion on the proposed zoning changes in the City’s new Unified Development Ordinance. The zoning changes have been the source of significant and contentious local debate. That’s coming up in today’s feature reports.
Also coming up, WFHB Correspondent Katherine Patterson profiles the new superintendent of the Monroe County Community School Corporation.
But first, we turn to Jake Jacobson for today’s local news brief:
1,225 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Indiana on Monday, according to the Indiana State Department of Health. There were 67 newly reported deaths.
Locally, Monroe County saw 21 new confirmed cases yesterday. Lawrence County reported 13 new cases, while Brown County reported none.
The age requirement to sign up to receive the COVID-19 vaccination from the Indiana Department of Health is now 65 years of age and older.
Hoosiers who are first responders or healthcare workers can also get their vaccines. If you qualify, you can sign up by visiting ourshot.in.gov, by calling 211 for assistance, or by contacting one of Indiana’s Area Agencies on Aging.
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Monroe, Brown and Lawrence Counties are currently under local travel watches, according to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
Each of the three counties has been bumped up to a travel watch sometime overnight between Monday night and this morning.
According to the department of homeland security, a local advisory watch means, “conditions are threatening to the safety of the public.”
Travel should be restricted to only essential travel, which includes travel to and from work as well as travel under emergency circumstances.
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Monroe County is expected to experience dangerously cold weather this month. From February 8th to February 23rd, area Fire Stations will be opening their doors to serve as warming stations.
These areas will not be able to offer a place to sleep, shower, or eat. However, these locations will let folks who do not have regular access to heat warm up.
The following stations will act as warming stations until February 23rd: Bloomington Fire Stations 1 and 2, the Ellettsville Fire Department Headquarters, and the Monroe Fire Protection buildings in Perry, Clear Creak, Indiana Creak, Bloomington, and Van Buren districts.
SB 389 Would Remove Protections for Indiana Wetlands
Indiana builders proposed a bill to end wetland protections in Indiana.
Indiana wetlands used to be mainly protected by the federal government under the US Clean Water Act, protecting over 60 percent of wetlands. However, according to the Indiana Environmental Reporter, due to changes during the Trump Administration, now 80 percent of Indiana wetlands are protected by the state.
The IER reports, the proposed Senate Bill 389 would end regulations on isolated wetlands and remove, “costly mitigation requirements for developers.” Multiple lawmakers behind the proposed bill are known to be members of the Indiana Builders Association, and have ties to the building and development community. However, they claim to have no conflict of interest with the bill, which fundamentally would make building developments cheaper and easier on protected wetlands.
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb has expressed concern over the proposed bill. In an interview with the Indiana Environmental Reporter he stated, “We need to be confident that any changes in the law avoid harming drinking water quality, increasing the potential for flooding, or hurting the wildlife habitats used by our anglers and hunters. This administration will continue to work with lawmakers to address these concerns throughout the rest of this legislative session.”
Wetlands hold water and slowly release and filter water before becoming part of the groundwater system. Through this, they prevent floods and also provide a home to much of Indiana’s wildlife. According to a Princeton Daily Report only 15 percent of Indiana’s wetlands remain.
The bill was passed by the Senate on a 29 to 19 vote and must now be heard by the Indiana House of Representatives.
Kohr Building Receives Historic Designation
The Kohr Administration Center at the IU Health Bloomington Hospital received “historic designation” status during last Wednesday’s city council meeting.
Conor Herterich, historic preservation program manager, talked about the historical significance of the Kohr building.
“Its historical value is the oldest hospital building still remaining on the site,” he said.
Herterich described renovations made to the Kohr building during the 1960s. He said the building celebrates local women who fought for adequate healthcare.
“The history of the building really highlights the efforts of the local women who continuously fought throughout for adequate healthcare and who, as a result, made a significant positive impact on the well-being of the community,” he said.
The art-deco architectural style of the building also holds historic value, said Herterich.
“This is significant for Bloomington, because the city has relatively few art-deco-style buildings outside the courthouse square,” he said.
Alex Crowley, director of Economic and Sustainable Development, will now oversee a project to find a developer for an adaptive reuse of the Kohr building. He explained how the historic designation would affect the low-income housing tax-credit project.
“Having designation actually helps a low-income housing tax credit, but there are certain limitations to it,” said Crowley.
City council members unanimously approved historic designation for the Kohr building.
Bloomington Plan Commission
The Bloomington Plan Commission discussed major site plan approval for the construction of a multifamily development on East Brownstone Drive. During their February 8th meeting, Planner Eric Greulich said the developers were granted their requested rezone to mixed use student housing. He mentioned the site plan includes 4 hundred and 40 dwelling units.
Greulich stated the developers have proposed dense landscaping plans including courtyard areas in the center of the resident structures. He mentioned bicycle parking was also favored in the proposal.
Developer Aaron Stange stated the building would be certified a Silver National Green Building and would devote 15 percent of their bedrooms to affordable and workforce housing. Windfall Dancer’s Board member Kay Ogles questioned how the building height would affect their business.
Stange stated the lowest portion of the development would be across from the Windfall property. Developers stated shadow studies could be provided to determine any shadow casting. Commission members unanimously approved the site plan.
Ellettsville Town Council
Richland Bean Blossom School Corporation Superintendent Jerry Sanders and Teacher Jamie Miller gave a presentation of the Ready Schools Initiative to the Ellettsville Town Council. Miller mentioned the program prepared students for careers during their February 8th meeting.
Miller mentioned their program prepares students for careers with high employment rates. She spoke of core tenets of their ready schools’ program.
Miller mentioned Edgewood Junior High School implemented a digital fabrication lab to teach newer industry skills such as 3D printing. She reported the High School would also implement an Innovative Learning Center.
Miller stated the High School Media Center would be remodeled to hold a student-run coffee shop to allow student experience in professional collaborative work.
Sanders encouraged the Town Council to become an informed and active partner in Ready Schools.
Feature Reports:
WFHB Correspondent Katherine Patterson reports on the new superintendent of the Monroe County Community School Corporation. Patterson has more.
We turn to WFHB Correspondent Aaron Comforty, for part two of the panel discussion he hosted on the proposed zoning changes in the City’s new Unified Development Ordinance, or “U-D-O”. The zoning changes have been the source of significant and contentious local debate. Here is part two of the panel discussion.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News on WFHB,
Today’s headlines were written by Jake Jacobson, Kade Young and Sydney Foreman, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our Engineer and Executive Producer is Kade Young.
Our features were produced by Katherine Patterson and Aaron Comforty.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
