Craft beer aficionados take note. Bloomington, Illinois now allows businesses selling artisanal products to manufacture their goods on-site. The ruling blurs a distinction between industrial and commercial zoning.
In a bid to support local entrepreneurs, the city of Bloomington, Illinois has opened business districts to small-scale production of items like beers, candles, and soap, reports Maria Nagle. "Before the change approved by the City Council, the city's code allowed for only a giant leap: work at home as a hobby or go to a manufacturing district to open as a business."
Opponents of the change included nearby residents concerned about the materials these businesses might use. Nevertheless, "the change approved by a unanimous vote of the council applies to any business that produces 'on the premises articles for sale of artisan quality or effect or handmade workmanship.'"
The decision represents a shift toward a wider mix of uses that embraces small business, a trend that could stave off economic stagnation in smaller cities. "'[The proposed change] is presenting a new category which is basically a retail category that is supported by onsite production,' said Community Development Director Tom Dabareiner in his presentation to the council."
FULL STORY: City OKs artisanal production in business districts
How Planners Can Liberate the Next Amazon
The path to business success occasionally passes through the garage—famously demonstrated by industry titans like Amazon or Hewlett Packard. Zoning codes should encourage, not obstruct, these kinds of American success stories.
Home-Based Businesses Could Save the Post-Pandemic Economy
Seattle's city council considers reducing 'arbitrary' and 'exclusionary' limits on home-based businesses.
Connect Transit in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois is Growing Ridership
Fixed route bus ridership in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois has gone up for 13 consecutive months.
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
