This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, May 10th, 2021.

Later in the program, WFHB Assistant News Director Jake Jacobson interviews Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton in our weekly segment - A Few Minutes with the Mayor. Today’s questions revolve around local Covid-19 restrictions and the housing market in Bloomington. More in today’s feature reports.

Also coming up in the next half hour, the Bloomington City Council met several times last week continuing special sessions on multiplexes. We have more coverage in today’s headlines.

But first, your local news brief:

Photo courtesy of University of Michigan.

COVID cases in Monroe County have had a 32% decrease in the past two weeks with 33% of the population getting vaccinated. Some who have been vaccinated reported feelings of illness within 48 hours of receiving the vaccine. However, experts say this is no cause for concern and the side effects will go away within a few hours.

The IDS published a story last Thursday detailing the alleged cover-up of abuse at Hope Presbyterian Church. Many former members of the Bloomington church spoke up about the sexual abuse after being denied any help from inside the church. There has been no comment from the church yet.

On Thursday night the Bloomington City Council voted 7-2 on an amendment that would provide restrictions on duplex development in single-family housing neighborhoods. The buffer was decided upon to possibly decrease disturbances between neighbors and ease residents’ fears regarding new housing forms in their neighborhoods. However, previously-existing duplexes and multiplexes will not need to comply with the new restrictions.

COVID-19 Press Conference 

At the May 7th Coronavirus press conference, Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton confirmed that 40% of city staff members are fully vaccinated. He said that local vaccination numbers are important, especially as herd immunity becomes less likely as a country.

Monroe County Health Administrator Penny Caudill said the Indiana State Department of Health website now shows information on COVID-19 variants. She said Monroe County is seeing a higher rate of hospitalizations in younger Hoosiers. Caudill clarified this is likely because of the way the vaccine rolled out.

Most local vaccine sites are currently offering walk-in appointments for first and second COVID-19 vaccines.

Bloomington City Council Special Session 3 

The Bloomington City Council met for its third special session on multiplexes on May 6th. Councilmember Dave Rollo presented an amendment to the ordinance that would put caps on the number of duplexes that can be built in a residential zone. He said the amendment would help prevent investors from buying and converting too many single-family homes into duplexes.

Councilmember Matt Flaherty asked for clarification around the proposed cap of 15 duplex approvals. He asked Development Services Manager Jackie Scanlan how applications beyond the cap would be handled.

Councilmember Susan Sandberg added this situation is exactly why she supports the preventive actions of this amendment. She said the council cannot control whether local or outside investors can buy and convert houses.

Councilmembers voted to adopt the amendment 7 to 2, with Councilmembers Steve Volan and Isabel Piedmont-Smith voting against. The City Council will continue discussion on duplexes at its May 12th special session.

Ellettsville Plan Commission 

Planning Director Kevin Tolloty presented a request to rezone a residential area at the May 6th Ellettsville Plan Commission meeting. Tolloty said the petitioner would like to rezone an area at north Constable Drive from single-family use to multi-family use. He clarified to Commissioner Sandra Hash that, although the zone currently has a multi-family ho...