WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, May 10th, 2021.
Later in the program, WFHB Assistant News Director Jake Jacobson interviews Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton in our weekly segment – A Few Minutes with the Mayor. Today’s questions revolve around local Covid-19 restrictions and the housing market in Bloomington. More in today’s feature reports.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Bloomington City Council met several times last week continuing special sessions on multiplexes. We have more coverage in today’s headlines.
But first, your local news brief:
COVID cases in Monroe County have had a 32% decrease in the past two weeks with 33% of the population getting vaccinated. Some who have been vaccinated reported feelings of illness within 48 hours of receiving the vaccine. However, experts say this is no cause for concern and the side effects will go away within a few hours.
The IDS published a story last Thursday detailing the alleged cover-up of abuse at Hope Presbyterian Church. Many former members of the Bloomington church spoke up about the sexual abuse after being denied any help from inside the church. There has been no comment from the church yet.
On Thursday night the Bloomington City Council voted 7-2 on an amendment that would provide restrictions on duplex development in single-family housing neighborhoods. The buffer was decided upon to possibly decrease disturbances between neighbors and ease residents’ fears regarding new housing forms in their neighborhoods. However, previously-existing duplexes and multiplexes will not need to comply with the new restrictions.
COVID-19 Press Conference
At the May 7th Coronavirus press conference, Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton confirmed that 40% of city staff members are fully vaccinated. He said that local vaccination numbers are important, especially as herd immunity becomes less likely as a country.
Monroe County Health Administrator Penny Caudill said the Indiana State Department of Health website now shows information on COVID-19 variants. She said Monroe County is seeing a higher rate of hospitalizations in younger Hoosiers. Caudill clarified this is likely because of the way the vaccine rolled out.
Most local vaccine sites are currently offering walk-in appointments for first and second COVID-19 vaccines.
Bloomington City Council Special Session 3
The Bloomington City Council met for its third special session on multiplexes on May 6th. Councilmember Dave Rollo presented an amendment to the ordinance that would put caps on the number of duplexes that can be built in a residential zone. He said the amendment would help prevent investors from buying and converting too many single-family homes into duplexes.
Councilmember Matt Flaherty asked for clarification around the proposed cap of 15 duplex approvals. He asked Development Services Manager Jackie Scanlan how applications beyond the cap would be handled.
Councilmember Susan Sandberg added this situation is exactly why she supports the preventive actions of this amendment. She said the council cannot control whether local or outside investors can buy and convert houses.
Councilmembers voted to adopt the amendment 7 to 2, with Councilmembers Steve Volan and Isabel Piedmont-Smith voting against. The City Council will continue discussion on duplexes at its May 12th special session.
Ellettsville Plan Commission
Planning Director Kevin Tolloty presented a request to rezone a residential area at the May 6th Ellettsville Plan Commission meeting. Tolloty said the petitioner would like to rezone an area at north Constable Drive from single-family use to multi-family use. He clarified to Commissioner Sandra Hash that, although the zone currently has a multi-family home on the lot, the area would need to be officially rezoned to allow the petitioner to build an additional two-unit structure.
Commissioner Pat Wesolowski asked about rent prices. He questioned Petitioner Thomas Landis about whether the units would be low-income.
Hash shared concerns around water drainage on the property. Wesolowski motioned to table the request, so the town could do more research. Commissioners unanimously approved the motion. The next Plan Commission meeting is on June 3rd.
Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals
The Monroe County Board of Appeals discussed the site plan for a new home off east Moores Creek Road. At the May 5th meeting, Senior Planner Tammy Behrman presented a request to build a new home in Perry Township. She recommended the board deny the variances, suggesting the petition could build in an area with less slopes.
Petitioner Steven Emory argued the current proposed site plan minimizes the amount of driveway. He said the current proposed garage is on the flattest part of the property.
Board member Bernie Guerrettaz moved to approve the variances under the condition that the petitioner provide a stormwater pollution and prevention plan and a drainage plan. Board members unanimously approved the variances.
Monroe County Commissioners
Monroe County Commissioners discussed funding for Rural Transit at the May 5th meeting. Chief Executive of Area 10 Chris Myers said the additional funds would help modernize Rural Transit’s fleet.
Commissioner Lee Jones expressed excitement that Rural Transit would be able to serve more areas with the funds. Commissioners approved the funding 2 to 0.
Feature Report:
Now it’s time for A Few Minutes with the Mayor – a weekly segment where we pose questions to Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton on local Covid-19 information and other community-related issues.
In today’s segment, Assistant News Director Jake Jacobson asks Mayor Hamilton about local Covid-19 restrictions and the housing market in Bloomington.
All that and more in this week’s edition of A Few Minutes with the Mayor.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Katherine Patterson and Jake Jacobson, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Jake Jacobson.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors: Don Geyra and Alex Dederer.
