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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Planning and Zoning Commission
DATE: July 24, 2026
SUBJECT:
An Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use Permit for Educational Services (6100) to allow a parking lot expansion at Freeman Elementary School on the Property located at 134 S. Glenwood Place (West Aurora School District #129 / 26-0499 - AU20/3-26.195 - RZ/CU - KP - Ward 5)
PURPOSE:
The Petitioner, West Aurora School District #129, is requesting approval of a Conditional Use for Educational Services to allow for a parking lot expansion at Freeman Elementary School located at 134 S. Glenwood Place.
BACKGROUND:
The Subject property is located at 134 S. Glenwood Place. The property abuts Freeman Elementary School. The School District acquired this property with the intention of creating additional parking. To proceed, the property is being rezoned to match the current zoning of the Freeman Elementary School which is P(C) Park and Recreation with a Conditional Use for Education Services.
The Petitioner is requesting approval of a Conditional Use for Educational Services to allow for a parking lot expansion. Freeman Elementary School currently has 39 onsite parking spaces to accommodate a staff of 65 in addition to visitors. In February 2026, the School District acquired the property at 134 S. Glenwood Place, just north of the school's existing parking lot. The lot was improved with residential structures (a house and garage) that the School District is demolishing in anticipation of increasing onsite parking.
The new parking lot will create 25 additional parking spaces. It will have a new entrance from Glenwood Place and will be designed to connect to the existing parking lot with cross-access to the same general traffic pattern exiting to Randall Rd. The Petitioner is also proposing to install a 6-foot high board on board white composite fence along the new parking lot for the adjacent neighbor to match that neighbor's existing fence. Additionally, a Landscape Plan was provided which illustrates that upright Junipers and Boxwood shrubs will be provided along the perimeter of the parking lot for additional screening.
Concurrently with this proposal, Petitioner is requesting to rezone the property from R-1 One-Family Dwelling District to P Park and Recreation District. This zoning will match the zoning of the other parcel of Freeman Elementary School.
DISCUSSION:
Due public notice was given for the public hearing on this matter. As of the date of this memo, staff has not received public inquiries regarding this petition
Staff's Finding of Facts required for Conditional Use Petitions: A Conditional Use shall be granted only if evidence is presented to answer the following questions
1. Will the establishment, maintenance or operation of the conditional use be unreasonably detrimental to or endanger the public health, safety, morals, comfort, or general welfare?
The subject property is needed for the public school parking addition. The conditional use will not be detrimental or endanger the public health, safety, comfort, or general welfare. It is intended to improve the existing parking and traffic congestion in the area.
2. Will the conditional use be injurious to the use and enjoyment of other property in the immediate vicinity for the purposes already permitted or substantially diminish and impair property values within the neighborhood; factors including but not limited to lighting, signage and outdoor amplification, hours of operation, refuse disposal areas and architectural compatibility and building orientation?
The conditional use will not be injurious to the use and enjoyment of other property in the immediate vicinity or impair property values within the neighborhood. The proposed parking addition is intended to improve conditions related to parking on neighboring streets.
3. Will the establishment of the conditional use impede the normal and orderly development and improvement of surrounding property for uses permitted in the district?
Staff believe that because the surrounding properties have already been developed and are established around the public school, the conditional use will not impede development.
4. Will the proposal provide adequate utilities, access roads, drainage, and/or other necessary facilities as part of the conditional use?
The proposal will provide additional parking that is necessary for the existing use.
5. Does the proposal take adequate measures, or will they be taken to provide ingress and egress so designed to minimize traffic congestion in the public streets?
The purpose of this proposal is to improve the existing traffic congestion on neighboring streets.
6. Does the conditional use in all other respects conform to the applicable regulations of the district in which it is located, except as such regulations may in each instance be modified by the city council pursuant to the recommendations of the commission
There are no modifications for the Conditional Use, it conforms to all applicable regulations of the district.
POLICIES AND GUIDELINES:
The Staff’s Evaluation and Recommendation are based on the following Physical Development Policies:
10.0 To provide for the orderly, balanced and efficient growth and redevelopment of the City through the positive integration of land use patterns, functions, and circulation systems. To protect and enhance those assets and values that establishes the desirable quality and general livability of the City. To promote the City’s position as a regional center.
11.0 11.1(5) To guide the growth of the City in an orderly and structured manner. To guide and promote development to areas where public utilities, public roads and municipal services are either available or planned.
12.0 To plan and provide for the growth of the city through the integration of land use patterns and functions that promote complementary interactions between different land use components.
14.1(4) To encourage quality site design throughout the City. .
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended CONDITIONAL APPROVAL of An Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use Permit for Educational services (6100) on the Property located at 134 S. Glenwood Place with to the following condition:
1) That the parking lot be installed in accordance to the Site Plan date July 10, 2026 and the Landscape Plan dated July 10, 2026.
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit "A" Legal Description
Exhibit "B" Memorandum of Agreement
Site Plan dated July 10, 2026
Landscape Plan dated July 10, 2026
Land Use Petition and Supporting Documentation
Plat of Survey
Maps
Legistar Number 26-0449
cc:
Alderman Michael Saville, Chairperson
Alderwoman Patty Smith, Vice Chairperson
Alderman Javier Bañuelos
Alderwoman Juany Garza
Alderman Will White
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
ORDINANCE NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
An Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use Permit for Educational services (6100) to allow a parking lot expansion at Freeman Elementary School on the Property located at 134 S. Glenwood Place
body
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, West Aurora School District #129 is the owner of record of the real estate legally described on Exhibit “A”, attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth, and hereafter referred to as Exhibit “A”; and
WHEREAS, by petition dated June 24, 2026, West Aurora School District #129 filed with the City of Aurora a petition Requesting approval of a Conditional Use for Educational Services to allow for a parking lot expansion at Freeman Elementary School located at 134 S. Glenwood Place for the property described in Exhibit “A”; and
WHEREAS, after due notice and publication of said notice, the Planning and Zoning Commission conducted a public hearing on July 22, 2026, reviewed the petition and recommended CONDITIONAL APPROVAL of said petition; and
WHEREAS, on July 29, 2026, the Building, Zoning and Economic Development Committee of the Aurora City Council reviewed said petition and the before mentioned recommendations and recommended CONDITIONAL APPROVAL of said petition; and
WHEREAS, the City Council, based upon the recommendation and the stated standards of the Planning and Zoning Commission, finds that the proposed Conditional Use is not contrary to the purpose and intent of Chapter 49 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Aurora.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows:
Section One: That the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois finds as fact all of the preamble recitals of this Ordinance.
Section Two: That this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect, and shall be controlling, upon its passage and approval.
Section Three: That all Ordinances or part of Ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed insofar as any conflict exists.
Section Four: That any section, phrase or paragraph of this Ordinance that is construed to be invalid, void or unconstitutional shall not affect the remaining sections, phrases or paragraphs of this Ordinance which shall remain in full force and effect.
Section Five: In accordance with Sec. 104.3 of Chapter 49 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Aurora, being the Zoning Ordinance and the Zoning Map attached thereto, and Article V of Chapter 34 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Aurora, a Conditional Use permit is hereby granted for a Educational services (6100) for the real estate property legally described in Exhibit “A”.
Section Six: That this Conditional Use permit hereby granted is solely for the purpose of a Educational services (6100) and is subject to all of the conditions set forth herein which shall be binding and remain in full force and effect upon the property, the petitioner and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors, assigns and devisees for the duration of said Conditional Use.
Section Seven: That the petitioner agrees to sign the Memorandum of Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit “B” within fourteen (14) days from the date of passage of this Ordinance and that said Conditional Use permit is granted specifically contingent upon the following conditions:
1) That the parking lot be installed in accordance to the Site Plan date July 10, 2026 and the Landscape Plan dated July 10, 2026.
Section Eight: That should any of the above-stated conditions not be met or that the property described in Exhibit “A” is not developed in accordance with the Conditional Use the City Council shall take the necessary steps to repeal this Ordinance.
Section Nine: That future proposals for expansion or intensification of whatever kind for the property legally described in said Exhibit “A”, except as provided for herein, shall be considered only upon proper application, notice and hearing as provided by Article V of Chapter 34 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Aurora.
Section Ten: That the property legally described in Exhibit “A” shall remain in the underlying zoning classification of R-1 One Family Dwelling District and upon termination of the use of said property for a Educational services (6100), this Conditional Use permit shall terminate and the classification of R-1 One Family Dwelling District shall be in full force and effect.
Section Eleven: That this Educational services (6100) shall remain subject to compliance, except as herein modified, with the minimum standards of all applicable City Ordinances.