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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Planning Commission
DATE: July 20, 2018
SUBJECT:
A Resolution Approving a Final Plan located east of Reimer Drive, between W. Galena Boulevard and Downer Place for Educational Services (Whitt Law LLC - 18-0521 / AU19/2-15.273-SUPD/Fpn - TV - Ward 5)
PURPOSE:
The Petitioner, Whitt Law LLC on behalf of West Aurora School District #129, is requesting approval of a Final Plan for property located east of Reimer Drive, between W. Galena Boulevard and Downer Place which includes the reuse of the existing building for the District's Learning Center and the construction of the Weisner Family Technical Center.
BACKGROUND:
The Subject Property is the former Dreyer Medical Clinic Campus with O(S) Office zoning, which is part of the Clinic Corporation Special Use Planned Development. In November of 2016, the West Aurora School District acquired this property through a 3-party agreement involving the Dreyer Medical Clinic, the West Aurora School District and the City of Aurora. Additional information on the legislative history of the property can be found in the attached Property Information Sheet.
The Petitioner is requesting approval of a Final Plan. The details of the request include the reuse of the existing 31,858 square foot building for the District's Learning Center which is located along W. Galena Boulevard. The Learning Center will house the School District's Success Academy, Transition Program, early Childhood Program, Pathways to Prosperity, and its District Assessment clinic for incoming early learning students. It will also house administrative offices, dining and food preparation area, and multi-purpose rooms for training and well as babysitting space.
The Petitioner is also proposing the construction of the 16,550 square foot Weisner Family Technical Center just north of the detention pond within the parking area along Reimer Drive. The building will have workshops for training students in welding, machining, and other skilled trades. It will also house administrative offices. The proposal shows a fenced paved area on the south of the building which will be used primarily for deliveries, trash, recycling, and occasional overnight storage of material prior to them being moved into the workshops for use. The parking lot is being slightly reconfigure to accommodate the proposed building and a student drop off zone. The campus will have a total of 299 parking spaces.
The Final Plan proposal also includes a Landscaping Plan which supplements additional landscaping around the Weisner Family Technical Center building. The Petitioner is also improving the detention pond by removing the existing weeds and dead vegetation and adding new rip rap stone and additional landscaping around it.
The building elevations consist of a combination of metal wall panels and brick. The north, east, and west facades are majority blue metal panels with an accent of red metal panels and red brick while the south facade consists entirely of blue metal wall panels. There is a metal canopy over a portion of the east elevation which matches the grey metal roof of the building.
Concurrently with this proposal, the Petitioner is requesting approval to establish a new Special Use for a Planned Development for the Subject Property. The details of the request include modifications to the standard O Office zoning regulations allowing Education Services and related uses as additional permitted uses. The Plan Description allows for a black-vinyl coated chain link fence with black slating around the paved area south of the Weisner Family Technical Center as well as three signs adjacent to the entrance along each of the public right of ways. It also codifies the reduced setbacks from the previously approved special use planned development.
DISCUSSION:
Staff has reviewed the Final Plan petition and have sent comments back to the petitioner on those submittals. The petitioner has made the requested revisions to these documents and they now meet the applicable codes and ordinances, with the exception of the items reflected in the conditions listed in the Staff Recommendation below.
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 To guide the growth of the City in an orderly and structured manner.
14.1(4) To encourage quality site design throughout the City.
14.1(5) To provide for the visual enhancement of the City through attractive landscaping, quality signage and diverse building design and arrangement.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Planning Commission recommended CONDITIONAL APPROVAL of the Resolution Approving a Final Plan located east of Reimer Drive, between W. Galena Boulevard and Downer Place for Educational Services, with the following conditions:
1. That the vinyl banner on the existing signs be replaced with a permanent sign face.
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit "A-1" Final Plan
Exhibit "A-2" Landscape Plan
Exhibit "A-3" Building and Signage Elevations
Fire Access Plan
Landscape Material Worksheet (1-23)
Land Use Petition with Supporting Documents
Property Research Sheet
Legistar History Report
Legistar Number: 18-0521
cc:
Alderman Michael B. Saville, Chairman
Alderman Sherman Jenkins, Member
Alderman Carl Franco, Member
Alderman William "Bill" Donnell, Alternate
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution Approving a Final Plan located east of Reimer Drive, between W. Galena Boulevard and Downer Place for Educational Services
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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, by petition dated June 14, 2018, Whitt Law LLC on behalf of West Aurora School District filed with the City of Aurora a petition requesting approval of a Final Plan for property located east of Reimer Drive, between W. Galena Boulevard and Downer Place and related required documents as attached hereto as Exhibits "A-1" through Exhibit “A-3”; and
WHEREAS, after referral of said petition from the Aurora City Council, the Aurora Planning Commission conducted a hearing on July 18, 2018, reviewed the petition and recommended CONDITIONAL APPROVAL of said petition; and
WHEREAS, on July 18, 2018, the Planning and Development Committee of the Aurora City Council reviewed said Final Plan and the before mentioned recommendations and recommended CONDITIONAL APPROVAL of said petition; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, finds as facts all of the preamble recitals of this Resolution and hereby grants CONDITIONAL APPROVAL of said Final Plan with the following conditions:
1. That the vinyl banner on the existing signs be replaced with a permanent sign face.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Aurora hereby adopts the Final Plan and related required documents, as attached hereto as Exhibit "A-1" Final Plan, Exhibit “A-2” Landscape Plan, and Exhibit “A-3” Building and Signage Elevations, along with any easement dedications or vacations deemed necessary by the Aurora City Engineer.