WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:02 — 37.2MB)
Subscribe: RSS
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, October 7th, 2024.
Later in the program, our weekly segment with Dave Askins, local journalist of the B Square Bulletin. Today’s installment focuses on the procedures of the Bloomington City Council. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Jason Brown from Bloominglabs, hosting their annual makers’ convention this Saturday in Switchyard Park – where you might get to play a banana piano. Find out more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Monroe County Plan Commission County Development Ordinance Hearing
During the October 1st, 2024, Monroe County Plan Commission County Development Ordinance Hearing, dozens of Monroe County residents stepped up to the podium. They spoke about their experiences and opinions on the C-D-O plan, giving recommendations for changes mainly about the acreage subdivision rule and the 25-year moratorium on land. Monroe County Resident, Janet Conder, spoke for her family when providing suggestions for the new plan. Her husband, Dallas Conder, is a 4th generation farmer. They supported the amount of acreage to be divided for sale brought down to 5 acres or below. They opposed having to wait 25 years before being able to subdivide land.
Many mothers and family members who have raised their children in Monroe County all of their lives have scrutinized these regulations. They want to give their children a portion of their land, but are not able to.
Janet and Dallas Conder are in this predicament. Janet Conder says it is not fair to those wanting to give the next generation a plot of land, but also to buyers looking to live in Monroe County but aren’t able to without buying an excessive amount of land that they don’t need or want, but have to pay for.
Monroe County Resident, Doug Heshelman, wants to join his family farming operation but the acreage rule and 25-year moratorium don’t allow it.
Resident Joe Finner said his two kids want to stay in Monroe County but will most likely not be able to because of the acreage rule.
A Board Member for Habitat for Humanity, Lauren Wood, has proposed changes to C-D-O. He said current zoning restrictions are driving up land costs and rendering the development for affordable housing. 29% of his workforce live outside of Monroe County because of these regulations. Wood asks for the elimination of the 25-year moratorium on sliding scale subdivisions and revising zoning maps to encourage greater density in areas with existing infrastructures.
Emily Avers, an employee in Monroe County, highlights issues in affordable housing.
The Monroe County Plan Commission took in all of the public statements and careful analysis of the C-D-O plan. Many commissioners said they were pleased with the turnout and amount of people who took the time and effort to read the plan. It was concluded that the meeting will continue on October 19th and testimony will close, but written testimony will be allowed until Sunday, October 6 at 5 p.m.
Bloomington City Council
At the Bloomington City Council meeting on October 1st, the council was set to vote on the ordinance to establish a Conservation District in the Green Acres neighborhood.
Clerk Nicole Bolden introduced the ordinance.
Council President Isabel Piedmont-Smith asked for clarification on a letter they received from the Green Acres Historic Designation Committee, withdrawing the petition.
Deputy Attorney Ash Kulak responded saying that the petitioner emailed to say they could not attend in person, but staff would summarize the letter on their behalf.
Historic Preservation Conservation Program Manager Noah Sandweiss shared the petitioner’s letter of withdrawal.
The council voted to deny the amendment which would have established the conservation district.
The Bloomington City Council will meet again on October 9th.
Feature Reports:
Up next, our weekly segment with Dave Askins, local journalist of the B Square Bulletin. Today’s installment focuses on the procedures of the Bloomington City Council. For more, we turn to Dave Askins.
Tinker. Hack. Repair. Nothing is trash at Bloominglabs, a nonprofit “makerspace” where anyone can learn how to fix broken stuff. Go there on a Wednesday night and you might see Jason Brown. Jason fixed a broken rake at Bloominglabs and now he loves hanging out with other creative do-it-yourselfers. Their annual makers conference is this Saturday in Switchyard Park, where you can see a jet ski motorcycle or play the banana piano. Get all the details on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Jasmine Wright and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins.
Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss produced today’s episode of Activate!
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
