City growth plan approved approved

The procedures for consideration of Bloomington's Growth Policies Plan were approved by the city council Wednesday night. \nThe procedures outline when the meetings will take place, how amending the full plan will take place and other organizational procedures the council will follow as they consider adopting or rejecting the GPP.\nThe GPP is a comprehensive plan of how Bloomington will grow in the future. For example, it calls for higher density housing downtown, creating a critical mass of residences.\nOne amendment to this procedural document was made by Council member L. David Sabbagh. The original resolution called for meetings to start in July, but he preferred the meetings to start after the council's recess in August. \nHe felt that July and August are months when many residents are absent from the city. The council must also approve the budget during these two months, and Sabbagh felt the budget would take up most of their time. \n"I would like the schedule to start in September. I think it is unfair to people in the community (to discuss the GPP in July)," Sabbagh said.\nHe also noted that in the past, issues had been delayed due to residents' absence from the city.\nCouncil member Mike Diekhoff concurred with Sabbagh and endorsed the value of public comment. \n"We're all about public participation and public comment," Diekhoff said.\nThe planning department has to complete an ordinance contract which describes the scope of work for GPP related improvements by the end of the year. \nIf the council began discussing the GPP in July, the planning department would have more time to complete this, but Planning Director Tom Micuda admitted they would have enough time even if the council waited on the GPP.\n"You're not preventing us from doing (the ordinance contract). You're compressing our time," Micuda said.\nThe council will decide before their August recess when to begin considering the GPP.