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TO: Mayor Thomas J. Weisner
FROM: Planning Commission
DATE: June 19, 2014
SUBJECT:
Resolution approving a Final Plan Revision on 10.13 acres converting the existing detention pond on Prairie Street to a structured detention pond with landscaping, eliminating the STEM west parking lot and expanding STEM south parking lot, expanding Parking Lot E east of football field, and adding permeable parking on vacated Southlawn Place for Aurora University located at 347 S. Gladstone Avenue (Aurora University - AU20/4-13.491-Fpn/R - ES Ward 4)
PURPOSE:
Final Plan Revision on 10.13 acres converting the existing detention pond on Prairie Street to a structured detention pond with landscaping, eliminating STEM west parking lot and expanding STEM south parking lot, expanding Parking Lot E east of football field, and adding permeable parking on vacated Southlawn Place for Aurora University located at 347 S. Gladstone Avenue.
BACKGROUND:
Aurora University is proposing a Final Plan Revision for multiple modifications to parts of the campus. The first is to convert the existing detention pond along Prairie Street south of the new Parking Lot G to a structured detention system to allow landscaping to be placed above the structure. The other modifications primarily relate to modifications of parking lots. Parking Lot H west of the new STEM partnership school is proposed to be eliminated, along with its 92 parking spaces, to expand the quad and open space along the interior of the campus. Those parking spaces would be made up with a modification of two existing parking lots, and an additional parking area. The STEM South Parking Lot will be modified to add 22 spaces (118 to 140). Parking Lot E, east of the football field, will be reconfigured to add 14 spaces (65 to 79), and the vacated Southlawn Place right of way that is owned by the University will add 56 perpendicular parking spaces, thus making up for the 92 lost. The school bus drop off will remain on the campus south of the STEM building as shown. Landscaping will be supplemented in those areas.
DISCUSSION:
Staff has reviewed the Final Plan petition and has sent comments back to them on those submittals. The petitioner has made all the requested changes to these documents and they now meet all of the applicable codes and ordinances. The Final Plan Revision is consistent with the approved 2012 University Master Plan and the City Comprehensive Plan designation as Quasi-Public. The overall parking on campus will increase to 1057. During construction of the STEM addition and Welcome Center, parking has been temporarily reduced to 881 spaces resulting in parking pressure on the surrounding neighborhood streets. The City has been very firm that this issue will need to be resolved and is encouraged that we can work together with the University to support the continued growth of AU's student population without creating negative impacts on its neighbors. The University has indicated it will move this Fall to a free on-campus parking system for it's students. In addition, some activities are being moved off-site to the AU Orchard Center on Sequoia Drive. The University is also looking at the future picture of working jointly with the City to create a new Master Plan that recognizes that parking is a key issue and that the current parking ratio is outmoded and does not adequately address parking needs and that factors other than the current formula should be considered in the new Master Plan.
Public Input: There have been no public inquiries to the City as this is not a public hearing.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
The Planning and Zoning Division would anticipate that this project will increase the City's overall tax base and viability which will offset any incidental Department or staffing impacts.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Planning Commission recommends Conditional Approval of the Final Plan Revision with the following conditions:
1) That Aurora University work with the City to submit a revised Master Plan to the Aurora City Council, that will address parking as a key issue, and reconsiders the currently used parking formula. Said Master Plan shall be submitted to the City within one year of this Final Plan Revision approval.
2) That Aurora University will adopt, in the Start of Fall 2014 semester, free on-campus parking in order to incent on-campus parking by students.
3) That Aurora University work with the City on an appropriate transition on Southlawn Place at the end of the proposed parking area prior to the installation of parking.
4) That Aurora University submit a landscape plan for revised Parking Lot E that is consistent with City requirements prior to the installation of parking.
5) That Aurora University replace any landscaping that may be lost with the Southlawn Place improvements within sixty (60) days of the installation of parking.
6) That an additional tree be added to each of the 4 islands in the STEM south parking lot prior to a final occupancy permit being issued for the STEM building.
7) That the Final Engineering Plans shall be approved by the City Engineer.
ATTACHMENTS:
Property Research Sheet
Planning Council Report
Land Use Petition
Qualifying Statement
May 21, 2014 Memo
Signage Plan
Final Plan
Fire Plan
Landscape Plan
Planning Commission Report
Cc: Planning and Development Committee:
Alderman Saville, Chairman
Alderman Donnell
Alderman Irvin
Alderman Hart-Burns, Alternate
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution approving a Final Plan Revision on 10.13 acres of the southern campus for Aurora University located at 347 S. Gladstone Avenue
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
WHEREASby petition dated April 15, 2014, Aurora University filed with the City of Aurora requesting a Final Plan Revision on 10.13 acres converting the existing detention pond on Prairie Street to a structured detention pond with landscaping, eliminating STEM west parking lot and expanding STEM south parking lot, expanding Parking Lot E east of football field, and adding permeable parking on vacated Southlawn Place for Aurora University located at 347 S. Gladstone Avenue as described on Exhibit "A" attached hereto; and
WHEREAS, said Final Plan Revision was duly referred on May 27, 2014, by the Aurora City Clerk to the Aurora City Council, who, in turn, referred said Final Plan Revision to the Aurora Planning Council and Aurora Planning Commission for study and recommendation, and to the Planning and Development Committee of the Aurora City Council for final decision; and
WHEREAS, said Final Plan Revision has been determined to be in substantial conformance with the Aurora Municipal Code, Chapter 43 entitled "The Aurora Subdivision Control Ordinance" and with the "Aurora Zoning Ordinance" Number 3100; and
WHEREAS, said Final Plan Revision has been determined to be in substantial conformance with the Plan Description approved by the Aurora City Council on February 28, 2012 by Resolution Number O12-007; and
WHEREAS, on June 17, 2014, the Aurora Planning Council recommended that said Final Plan Revision be moved forward for consideration; and
WHEREAS, on June 18, 2014, the Aurora Planning Commission reviewed said Final Plan Revision and recommended Conditional Approval of said petition; and
WHEREAS, on June 26, 2014, the Planning and Development Committee of the Aurora City Council reviewed said Final Plan Revision 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 fact all of the preamble recitals of this Resolution and hereby grants said Final Plan Revision with the following conditions:
1) That Aurora University work with the City to submit a revised Master Plan to the Aurora City Council, that will address parking as a key issue, and reconsiders the currently used parking formula. Said Master Plan shall be submitted to the City within one year of this Final Plan Revision approval.
2) That Aurora University will adopt, in the Start of Fall 2014 semester, free on-campus parking in order to incent on-campus parking by students.
3) That Aurora University work with the City on an appropriate transition on Southlawn Place at the end of the proposed parking area prior to the installation of parking.
4) That Aurora University submit a landscape plan for revised Parking Lot E that is consistent with City requirements prior to the installation of parking.
5) That Aurora University replace any landscaping that may be lost with the Southlawn Place improvements within sixty (60) days of the installation of parking.
6) That an additional tree be added to each of the 4 islands in the STEM south parking lot prior to a final occupancy permit being issued for the STEM building.
7) That the Final Engineering Plans shall be approved by the City Engineer.
PASSED AND APPROVED on ______________.
AYES ____ NAYS ____ NOT VOTING ____ ABSENT ____
____________________________ __________________________
Alderman Bohman, Ward 1 Alderman Garza, Ward 2
____________________________ __________________________
Alderman Mesiacos, Ward 3 Alderman Donnell, Ward 4
____________________________ __________________________
Alderman Peters, Ward 5 Alderman Saville, Ward 6
____________________________ __________________________
Alderman Hart-Burns, Ward 7 Alderman Mervine, Ward 8
____________________________ __________________________
Alderman Bugg, Ward 9 Alderman Johnson, Ward 10
____________________________ __________________________
Alderman Irvin, At Large Alderman O'Connor, At Large
ATTEST:
____________________________ __________________________
City Clerk Mayor
Legistar Number: 14-00328
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit "A" Plan Information Sheet
EXHIBIT "A"
PLAN INFORMATION SHEET
For the Final Plan Revision for the property located at 347 S. Gladstone Avenue
Case File Number: AU20/4-13.491-Fpn/R
Tax Parcel Number: 15-20-451-004 & 15-20-453-025
Owner:
Aurora University
347 S. Gladstone Avenue
Aurora, IL 60506
Plan Prepared By:
Wills Burke Kelsey Associates, Ltd.
116 W. Main Street, Suite 201
St. Charles, IL 60174
Date Plan Received: 6/12/2014
Landscape Plan Prepared By:
W. E. Mundy Landscaping
1135 Mitchell Road, P.O. Box 1462
Aurora, 60505
Date Landscape Plan Received: 6/12/2014
NOTE: A COPY OF THESE DOCUMENTS AS REFERENCED HEREON ARE ON FILE IN THE CITY OF AURORA PLANNING AND ZONING DIVISION OFFICE ON THE SECOND FLOOR, 1 SOUTH BROADWAY, AURORA, ILLINOIS, 60505.