Solar & Battery Regulation & Incentive Programs

City of Bloomington - Sustainable Development Incentives

Program Overview


Category:
Financial Incentive
Program Type:
Green Building Incentive
Implementing Sector:
Local
State:
Indiana
Eligible Storage Technologies:
Solar Water Heat, Solar Photovoltaics, Wind (All), Geothermal Heat Pumps, Combined Heat & Power, Roofs, Comprehensive Measures/Whole Building, Yes; specific technologies not identified, Wind (Small), Fuel Cells using Renewable Fuels, Other Distributed Generation Technologies
Website:
http://bloomington.in.gov/documents/viewDocument.php?document_id=2194
Permit Fee Waiver / Reduction:
100% waivers of filing fees with the plan commission and/or board of zoning appeals, fees associated with right-of-way excavation permits, and sewer hook-on fees
Expedited Permitting Process:
N/A
Density Bonus:
N/A
Administrator:
Department of Economic and Sustainable Development
Applicable Sectors:
Construction
Start Date:
01/26/2015
Last Updated:
12/14/2015

Summary

The City of Bloomington offers fee waivers and other design incentives for developers that incorporate the city's sustainability goals. The city's four goals include:

  • Energy and resource efficiency. Features that meet the energy and resource efficiency goal include green roofs, improved building performance rating, the use of non-polluting and/or renewable on-site energy sources, recycling and/or salvaging at least 50 percent of non-hazardous construction and demolition debris, or utilizing building materials and products sourced within a 500 mile radius.
  • Landscape and site design. Qualifying designs include the use of at least 25% permeable pavement, utilization of natural vegetation and other techniques to convey and filter storm water, employ systems to recycle at least 50% of greywater and storm water, retention of 90% of area tree canopy, and/or conservation of land with a slope of 12% or greater.
  • Public policy. Public policy commitments include incorporating mixed use development, providing 100% of the required long term bicycle parking spaces, decreasing automobile parking while increasing bicycle parking, and providing subsidized Bloomington Transit passes or a private van or shuttle.
  • Public transportation. Qualifying projects are located near a transit stop, activity center, downtown, public school or park, or multi-use trail.

Incentives are based on a three-tiered system, with bonuses according to the number of sustainable practices included in the projects:

  • Level 1 Requirements: At least two energy and resource efficiency projects, one landscape and site design project, one public policy project, and one public transportation project.
  • Level 2 Requirements: At least three energy and resource efficiency projects, two landscape and site design projects, two public policy projects, and two public transportation projects.
  • Level 3 Requirements: At least four energy and resource efficiency projects, two landscape and site design projects, two public policy projects, two public transportation projects. In addition, at least 15% of housing must be allocated for affordable housing units.

All three levels are eligible for waivers of filing fees with the plan commission and/or board of zoning appeals, fees associated with right-of-way excavation permits, and sewer hook-on fees. In addition, projects may be subject to less strict development standards:

  • Level 1 Residential Incentives: Side building setbacks decreased to 6 feet and rear building setbacks decreased to 20 feet.
  • Level 1 Nonresidential Incentives: Side building setbacks decreased by 25%, rear building setbacks decreased by 25%, and maximum residential density increased by 25%.
  • Level 2 Residential Incentives: Side building setbacks decreased to 5 feet and rear building setbacks decreased to 15 feet.
  • Level 2 Nonresidential Incentives: Side building setbacks decreased by 50%, rear building setbacks decreased by 50%, and maximum residential density increased by 50%.
  • Level 3 Residential Incentives: Side building setbacks decreased to 5 feet and rear building setbacks decreased to 15 feet.
  • Level 3 Nonresidential Incentives: Side building setbacks decreased by 50%, rear building setbacks decreased by 50%, and maximum residential density increased by 75%.

Authorities

NameEnacted DateEffective DateExpired Date
Bloomington Unified Development Ordinance 20.05.0492006