A New Chapter for Bloomington: James Avenue CityHomes Moves Forward

A vision for Bloomington that's been more than 40 years in the making

What makes James Avenue CityHomes particularly interesting is that the idea of medium-density residential use on this land isn't new.

In fact, the properties have been guided for medium-density residential development through Bloomington's comprehensive planning process dating back to at least 1981.

For more than four decades, the city's long-range planning has recognized the potential for this area to accommodate a different type of residential development.

Until now, however, the properties remained zoned R-1, or Single Family Residential.

The approved rezoning to R-3, known as Middle Housing Residential, brings the zoning into alignment with that longstanding land-use guidance.

It's an important distinction, especially when conversations about housing density and neighborhood development can sometimes feel like conversations about change happening overnight.

This project didn't begin with a sudden shift in the city's vision. The broader land-use direction has existed for generations.

Bloomington's Forward 2040 Comprehensive Plan emphasizes creating a range of housing opportunities and identifying appropriate locations for future residential development.

James Avenue CityHomes is a tangible example of what implementing that vision can look like.

And I think that's exciting.

Nine homesites. A different kind of opportunity.

One of the things I find most compelling about this project is the housing style itself.

James Avenue CityHomes is planned as a nine-unit detached townhome development.

Unlike the attached townhomes many people are familiar with, detached townhomes are freestanding residences that do not share common walls with neighboring homes.

Think of the privacy and individuality people often associate with a single-family home, paired with the opportunity to build on a smaller residential lot.

That combination creates possibilities that aren't always easy to find in Bloomington.

And it invites us to think a little differently about what homeownership can look like.

What if you could right-size without leaving the community you love?

Imagine you've lived in Bloomington for 30 or 40 years.

You've raised your family here. You know the neighborhoods, the parks, the familiar routes, and perhaps even the neighbors you've known for decades.

But your home no longer fits the way you want to live.

Maybe you don't need all those bedrooms anymore. Maybe maintaining a large yard has become more work than you enjoy. Or maybe you're ready to explore single-level living and a floor plan designed around this next chapter.

Moving doesn't necessarily mean you want to leave Bloomington.

And it shouldn't have to.

One of the opportunities I see in a project like James Avenue CityHomes is the potential to create a home that better fits your lifestyle while remaining connected to the community you've spent years calling home.

What if you've been waiting for the chance to build?

Perhaps you're looking for something entirely different.

You've searched for homes throughout the Twin Cities but haven't found a floor plan that feels right.

Maybe you want to work with a builder to create something more personal. A home designed around how you actually live, rather than adapting your life to a house someone else designed decades ago.

Or perhaps you're drawn to Bloomington's location and established neighborhoods but have found that opportunities for new residential construction are limited.

James Avenue CityHomes creates another possibility to explore.

For individuals and builders alike, these future homesites offer an opportunity to consider new construction within an existing Bloomington neighborhood.

Final home designs, construction plans, and available options will be subject to applicable city requirements and development restrictions, but the potential for thoughtful residential design is one of the things I'm most excited about.

Home doesn't have to look the same for everyone. And creating more choices is part of creating a stronger housing market.

Why this matters in a city that's already largely developed

Bloomington has something many communities spend decades trying to establish.

Mature neighborhoods. Parks and recreational amenities. Access to major employment centers. Shopping, dining, services, and a central location within the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

It's a city with an established identity and infrastructure.

But that also means much of its land has already been developed.

And when available residential land becomes scarce, opportunities to build new homes within existing neighborhoods become more limited.

This is one reason thoughtful infill development deserves attention.

Rather than relying exclusively on outward expansion, infill development creates new housing opportunities within areas that are already part of the community.

Done thoughtfully, it can offer additional housing choices while making use of existing streets, infrastructure, and neighborhood amenities.

Of course, every property and every development needs to be evaluated individually. Traffic, stormwater management, construction impacts, neighborhood compatibility, and long-term maintenance are all legitimate considerations.

But there is also a broader question worth asking:

How do we make room for the next generation of homeowners while also creating options for the people who already love living here?

I believe that's one of the most important housing conversations established communities can have.

The importance of housing choices—not just more housing

When we talk about housing availability, the conversation often focuses on how many homes a city needs.

But I think we also need to talk about the kinds of homes people need.

A family looking for more bedrooms may have entirely different priorities than someone hoping to simplify their lifestyle.

A first-time buyer may be searching for an attainable path into homeownership.

Someone who has lived in the same community for decades may want to downsize without sacrificing independence, privacy, or a sense of belonging.

And a buyer interested in new construction may be willing to consider a smaller lot in exchange for the opportunity to create a home that truly fits.

No single development can solve every housing challenge.

And until pricing and construction details are established, it would be premature to characterize these homesites as affordable for any particular buyer group.

But expanding the variety of housing options available is meaningful in its own right.

Smaller-lot detached homes can fill a space between traditional large-lot single-family housing and more conventional attached townhome developments.

This is sometimes described as missing middle housing: residential options that offer a different scale, layout, or density than the housing types that have historically dominated many neighborhoods.

For Bloomington, projects like James Avenue CityHomes can help make that concept tangible.

Not just as a planning term.

But as actual places where people may one day build their homes.

An opportunity for creativity—and thoughtful development

As the daughter of a carpenter, I've always been fascinated by what can be created from a piece of land.

Long before there's a finished home, there's a vision.

A floor plan. A relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces. The way natural light enters a room. How a home functions for the people who will live there.

And when we're talking about building on smaller lots, thoughtful design becomes even more important.

Every square foot needs to work harder.

A well-designed home doesn't necessarily need to be large to feel spacious, comfortable, or beautiful.

It needs to be intentional.

That's part of what makes this project so interesting to me.

I can imagine future homeowners exploring efficient layouts, flexible living spaces, and designs that reflect their individual priorities, within the applicable development and building requirements.

I can also imagine builders bringing creative solutions to a property type that may become increasingly relevant as established communities look for ways to expand housing choices.

The possibilities are exciting, even as the specific designs and construction details remain to be determined.

A meaningful milestone—and an exciting next chapter

I want to sincerely thank the Bloomington City Council, city staff, and everyone who has contributed their time and consideration throughout the planning and approval process.

Land-use decisions are rarely simple.

They require balancing long-term community planning, neighborhood compatibility, infrastructure, development standards, and the needs of both current and future residents.

I appreciate the importance of those conversations and the careful consideration that goes into decisions like this.

Tonight's approval represents a meaningful step forward for James Avenue CityHomes and an opportunity to put longstanding land-use guidance into practice.

I'm grateful to be involved and genuinely excited about what comes next.

Because while this project may represent just nine future homes, I don't see it as just nine homes.

I see the possibility of someone remaining in a community they've loved for decades.

Someone creating a home that finally fits the way they want to live.

Someone finding an opportunity to build in a location they never thought would be available.

And nine different stories that haven't even begun yet.

That's what makes real estate so much more than buildings and property lines.

It's the people, the possibilities, and the places we get to call home.

Interested in James Avenue CityHomes? Let's stay connected.

Whether you're a builder interested in future homesite opportunities, a Bloomington resident considering right-sizing, or someone dreaming of building a home in the heart of the Twin Cities, James Avenue CityHomes is a development worth watching.

Details about homesite availability, pricing, construction requirements, and timelines will be shared as they become available.

I'm looking forward to helping bring these opportunities to the community and connecting future homeowners and builders with what's possible.

Nine homesites. Countless possibilities. One exciting new chapter for Bloomington. 💛

Kara Zahasky
Minnesota REALTOR® | eXp Realty | The Antonov Group
Bloomington • Lake Minnetonka • Greater Twin Cities

The Kara Edit — Real estate insight, local perspective, and the art of feeling at home.

Sources & further reading

• Bloomington Forward 2040 Comprehensive Plan