Lynn Coyne named interim Bloomington planning director

Lynn Coyne, a longtime Bloomington attorney, former Indiana University real estate official, and civic board member, has been named interim director of the city of Bloomington’s planning and transportation department. That’s according to a news release from the city of Bloomington issued on Friday (June 12), just before 5 p.m.

The interim appointment puts a familiar local-government and land-use figure into one of city hall’s most important jobs.

Coyne’s appointment comes as the department is losing David Hittle, whose last day as planning and transportation director is July 10.

The department oversees planning, zoning, transportation policy, development review and implementation of Bloomington’s land-use rules. Those rules in the last several years have produced frequent friction among the mayor’s office, city council, developers, neighborhood advocates and housing supporters.

Coyne brings to the interim role a long career with highlights in real estate, institutional land use and Bloomington civic development. According to Indiana University Maurer School of Law’s alumni profile, Coyne practiced law in Bloomington from 1972 to 1996, with an emphasis on real estate matters, before becoming Indiana University’s assistant vice president for real estate in 1996. During his 18 years at IU, Coyne also served as associate university counsel and special assistant to the vice president for capital planning and facilities.

Coyne has recently been involved in one of the city’s highest-profile planning efforts, which is Hopewell, the redevelopment site of the former IU Health hospital site. Bloomington mayor Kerry Thomson placed Coyne on her Hopewell advisory team in early 2024 right after she took office, along with other local figures including: Lisa Abbott, Barre Klapper, Matt Flaherty, Tim Henke, Sib Sheikh, Vi Simpson, Steve Smith, Hopi Stosberg and John West .

At the time, Bloomington’s economic and sustainable development director Jane Kupersmith described the purpose of the advisory group at the time as an “early-term community gut check” on whether Hopewell’s goals were achievable and aligned with available funding, while Thomson said she remained committed to Hopewell as a residential area within walking distance of downtown.

Coyne’s record of public service also includes a long-time role in economic development. Over a decade ago he served as president of the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation. He has also served on the boards of IU Health Bloomington Hospital, IU Health Southern Indiana Physicians, the Region 8 Workforce, the Indiana Small Business Development Center, and Ivy Tech Community College.

Coyne is quoted in the city’s late Friday news release saying, “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve Bloomington in this interim role and support Mayor Thomson’s priorities at an important moment for our community.”

Bloomington mayor Kerry Thomson is quoted in the release saying, “Our systems have to deliver for people. Lynn’s role is to help us keep moving.” Her quote continues: “We have important work ahead, and this appointment reflects our commitment to implementation, partnership, and accountability.”

According to the news release, Coyne’s appointment will need confirmation from the city’s plan commission, and assuming he is confirmed, he will start serving in July. The city plan commission’s meeting that month falls on July 13.