The Bloomington City Council introduced a proposal at a meeting Wednesday by approving a fiscal plan required to annex a parcel of land just outside city boundaries.
The 0.39-acre parcel at 2005 W. Cory Drive is the subject of a proposed voluntary annexation. The property owner is seeking annexation to connect the property to city sewer and water — utilities used by the rest of the neighborhood, a step that would allow construction of a duplex on the currently undeveloped lot.
Council President Hopi Stosberg emphasized that Wednesday’s vote approved only the fiscal plan. The plan outlines how the city would provide services to the parcel and what the financial impact would be — a step state law requires before the council can vote on an annexation. The annexation ordinance itself received its first reading, but the council did not debate or act on the annexation. The proposal will return for discussion and a final vote on Dec. 17.
Some residents urged the council to reject the annexation request, arguing that incorporating the property into Bloomington could worsen flooding to surrounding homes, strain emergency access and disrupt a quiet neighborhood.
Jay Nelson, whose grandmother lives in a home beside the parcel, urged the council to reject the request, saying the parcel’s steep slope, pooling water and suspected karst features such as sinkholes, make new construction dangerous and could affect his grandmother’s “daily safety, stability and well-being.”
Leslie Ruiz, who lives just north of the parcel, urged the council to question the timing of the annexation. She argued the city shouldn’t alter jurisdictional boundaries before determining whether the lot can safely support a duplex, saying karst features and poor drainage have already intensified flooding on her property.
Ruiz also warned that the neighborhood’s narrow, sidewalk-less street poses a serious safety risk — one she said would worsen as additional cars are added.
“Increased per-site parking and the already narrowed section of street reduces visibility, constricts the travel lane and heightens safety risks for the children and pedestrians who rely on the street as their only route,” Ruiz said.
Assistant city attorney Chris Wheeler presented the fiscal plan and said annexing a single parcel would have a minimal financial impact. He also stressed that approving the fiscal plan does not indicate whether the annexation or related rezoning will ultimately pass.
After brief questioning by council members about the fiscal implications, the council unanimously approved the fiscal plan, allowing the proposal to advance to a final vote. A companion measure would amend the city’s zoning map to designate the parcel as Residential Medium-Lot (RM), the classification required for the proposed duplex if the annexation is approved.
The council also opened the meeting by addressing Indiana’s ongoing redistricting fight. Stosberg emphasized the proposed congressional map would dilute Democratic voting strength by splitting Indianapolis into four districts that combine urban neighborhoods with distant rural counties. She said mid-decade redistricting was not normal and urged residents to contact their representatives.
The meeting also included a detailed Climate Action Plan update from Shawn Miya, Bloomington's assistant director of sustainability. Miya highlighted progress on solar installations, LED conversions and energy-efficiency upgrades, noting that 11 solar projects have been completed since 2024 and six more are underway for 2026.
Miya also outlined ongoing work through the city’s energy-efficiency rebate programs. Through the Solar, Energy Efficiency & Lighting and Bloomington Green Home Improvement Program, nonprofit partner IFF completed eight energy audits and eight building improvement projects this year, with three more planned for early 2026. The city approved 34 residential projects after revising the Green Home Improvement Program in 2025, supporting upgrades such as insulation, HVAC improvements and renewable energy installations
“A lot of our residents said that they would not have completed these projects without these rebates,” Miya said. “So, we’re really proud of this program.”
The City Council will hold a budget deliberation meeting Dec. 10 to continue work on the 2027 budget. The proposal to annex the Cory Drive parcel is scheduled to return for a final vote during the council’s regular session Dec. 17.
