A bill signed by Gov. Eric Holcomb Tuesday would prohibit Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton from acting on his desire to enact inclusionary zoning.
The bill was one of 10 that Holcomb signed into law Tuesday, passed to his desk for approval from the Indiana Legislature.
The city administration was in the process of considering inclusionary zoning — a policy tool to address affordable housing by codifying a requirement that developers include units priced for low- or moderate-income individuals as part of new residential construction.
But the Indiana Legislature prohibited such actions.
Hamilton said he is disappointed that the governor signed the bill, because it reduces the city’s capability to address affordable housing issues.
Even with the new state restriction on municipalities, Hamilton said his administration remains committed to developing strategies to provide Bloomington residents with more affordable housing options.
There are other initiatives in the works, such as allowing accessory dwelling units and so-called tiny homes, that city officials will be discussing in the near future, he said.
Net metering
Holcomb also signed a net-metering bill Tuesday, which its opponents argue reduces incentives for private investment in small solar power generation. The bill lowers the rate at which property owners who install renewable energy generators are credited for sending their excess power back to an investor-owned utility.
Jacqui Bauer, sustainability coordinator for the city of Bloomington, said the net-metering bill essentially removes the financial incentive to install solar panels in the future.
The net-metering bill grandfathers, for 30 years at the current rate, those already receiving the credit for having a private investment in small solar power generation. The bill provides a shorter grandfathered period of 10 years for those who install systems after Jan. 1, 2018, and before July 1, 2022.