City Names Lynn Coyne Interim Director of Planning and Transportation

Mayor Kerry Thomson has appointed Lynn Coyne to serve as Interim Director of the City of Bloomington Planning and Transportation Department, pending a vote by the Bloomington Plan Commission before his official start date. Coyne succeeds David Hittle, who has accepted a position with the City of Charlotte, North Carolina. Hittle’s last day with the City of Bloomington will be July 10.

A longtime Bloomington civic and economic development leader, Coyne brings decades of experience in law, real estate, economic development, higher education, and civic leadership. His career has included work at the intersection of public policy, land use, institutional planning, business development, and community partnerships. He has served as President and CEO of the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation; Assistant Vice President for Real Estate at Indiana University; Associate University Counsel at Indiana University; and Special Assistant to the Vice President for Capital Planning and Facilities at Indiana University. He also practiced law in Bloomington with a focus on real estate, business transactions, and public sector matters.

“Bloomington’s Planning and Transportation Department has direct impacts on my priorities— housing people can afford, strong neighborhoods, safer streets, sustainability, inclusion, and a quality of life that makes people want to stay,” said Mayor Kerry Thomson. “The work now is making sure our systems can actually deliver on those priorities. Lynn understands Bloomington, and he understands where good projects get stuck. His experience will improve our processes, strengthen collaboration with residents, builders, employers, and community partners, and create more of the quality housing Bloomington needs.”

The interim appointment comes as the City moves through several related pieces of work, including a cross-departmental review of permitting and plan review processes, proposed Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) amendments related to housing and business compliance, and continued efforts to support attainable housing and neighborhood-scale development. Results from the permitting assessment are expected this summer. The UDO amendments remain on track for Council consideration after its summer recess.

“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,” said Coyne. “I look forward to helping advance this work and supporting decisions that serve Bloomington well.”

Coyne will serve in an interim capacity while the City continues evaluating the department’s long-term leadership needs.

“Our systems have to deliver for people. Lynn’s role is to help us keep moving,” said Thomson. “We have important work ahead, and this appointment reflects our commitment to implementation, partnership, and accountability.”

If confirmed by the Plan Commission, Coyne will begin serving in July 2026.