City Council debates restaurant look

Restaurants or stores in downtown Bloomington attract diversified patrons with their distinct appearances.

The discussion Wednesday at the City Council meeting involved whether or not new restaurants or stores should all have the same visual appearance that complement the historic character of the area.

The amendment from the Council received mix reviews.

City Council is currently working on ordinance 14-05 to amend Title 20 of the Bloomington Municipal Code titled “Unified Development Ordinance.” The ordinance came forward from the Plan Commission at the request of the Council.

“Ordinance 14-05 defines standardized restaurants and treats them as a conditional use in the Courthouse Square and University Village Overlay Districts of the downtown,” president and district V representative Darryl Neher said.

The amendment responds to concerns that have been raised through the process: first, by narrowing the focus of review to design considerations, and second, by broadening the scope of uses subject to review beyond “standardized restaurant” to “standardized business,” Neher said.

The term “standardized business” is defined as any type of commercial business establishment in the Courthouse Square or University Village Overlays, which is required by contractual or other arrangement or affiliation to offer or maintain standardized services, merchandise, menus, employee uniforms, trademarks, logos, signs or exterior design.

“The large impact is on the look of downtown,” director of planning Tim Micuda said.

The Council discussed this amendment as a positive for the city, but the public had mixed feelings.

Some people said they feel it does not matter what the inside of a business looks like as long as it is generating business for the city.

“It is an individual choice, not the city’s business what the inside of a business looks like,” Bloomington business owner Keith Williamson said.

The public also feels corporate or “standardized business” might dominate downtown, so it should be made easier to get more businesses in.

“If it’s really for business, let’s lower the rent,” resident George Brooks said.

Businesses that want to move into downtown Bloomington could find it difficult to comply with this amendment.

“Making it easier for them to have a location is more advantageous,” student and resident Tyler Louter said.

The Council will continue the discussion at 7:30 p.m. June 11.