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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Alessandro (Alex) Minnella, Senior Planner
Kevin Anderson, Traffic Engineer
Roopa Anjanappa, Traffic Engineer
DATE: April 8, 2025
SUBJECT:
A Resolution Adopting the 2025 City of Aurora's Bicycle Pedestrian Plan.
PURPOSE:
To adopt an updated Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan to formalize the City's commitment to provide comprehensive improvements and enhancements to the bicycle and pedestrian facilities within the City of Aurora.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Aurora's Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan provides guidance and sets goals for improving the City's pedestrian and bicycle mobility. The plan was approved by the City Council on July 14, 2009, with Resolution R09-274. The plan was intended to be flexible and adaptive over time to reflect the changing needs and goals of the community and so it was not meant to be a static document. Given the time that has since passed, the new facilities that have been built, new neighborhoods that have been developed, and changes in technology, it is now time to update the plan.
DISCUSSION:
Since 2009, the City's landscape has changed. There are entirely new neighborhoods, redeveloped sites, and new pedestrian and bicycle facilities throughout the City. Given these physical changes along with shifts in socio-economic trends, it is imperative that the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan be updated to reflect this progress.
In 2023, the City of Aurora published a Request for Qualifications and selected Epstein Global, a multi-disciplinary design and construction company, as the consultant responsible for preparing the study of the existing conditions, evaluating the City needs and ultimately recommending improvements, enhancements, policies and programs.
The City's residents and visitors are fortunate to have an active downtown, beautiful pathways along the Fox River and Waubonsee Creek, and multi-use trails throughout the City. The updated plan will provide guidance reflecting updated goals, current trends, and current design standards that will help us improve access to these amenities and to increase mobility, thus adding to the vibrancy of our beautiful city.
Public Engagement began in June 2023 and lasted throughout the duration of the project.
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 the Aurora Bicycle and Pedestrian plan.
POLICIES AND GUIDELINES:
The Staff’s Evaluation and Recommendation are based on the following Physical Development Policies:
12.0 To plan and provide for the growth of the city through the integration of land use patterns and functions that promote complimentary interactions between different land use components.
12.1(3) To encourage residential development in close proximity to places of work, shopping and recreation.
23.1 (3) To encourage quality design and practical innovations in both housing structures and site development.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends ADOPTION of the 2025 City of Aurora's Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan.
ATTACHMENTS:
- R09-274 Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan
- Exhibit A - 2025 Bicycle, Pedestrian Plan
- Chicago Tribune: Proof of Publication
- Legistar History Report
- Bicycle Pedestrian Plan PowerPoint
- Bicycle Pedestrian Plan Presentation (pdf)
cc: Edward T. Sieben, Zoning & Planning Director
John P. Curley, Chief Development Services Officer
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution Adopting the 2025 City of Aurora's Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan.
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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 the City of Aurora has a history of creating long-range planning documents that have been used successfully to help guide growth and redevelopment; and,
WHEREAS, on April 3, 1984, the Aurora City Council adopted the current Comprehensive Plan which established a general development plan for the City of Aurora and its environs, and is embodied in Ordinance No. O84-5279; and
WHEREAS, a Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan was approved by the City Council by Ordinance Number R09-274 on July 14, 2009, which added certain goals, objectives and maps to the Comprehensive Plan with regards to the Bicycle and Pedestrian long-range plan for the City of Aurora; and
WHEREAS, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan is designed to enhance bicycle and pedestrian facilities, network connectivity, access to business, schools, recreation amenities and transit centers, encourage healthy lifestyles, increase safety, enhance neighborhoods, businesses, educational institutions and advance the quality of life for all City of Aurora citizens and visitors; and
WHEREAS, an updated Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan is needed to meet the current standards and trends; to meet the on-going demands for network connectivity and safety; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora is currently recognized as the Bicycle Friendly Community at the Bronze Level from the League of American Bicyclists; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to achieve a Gold level recognition from the League of American Bicyclists in the near future which the updated Bicycle Pedestrian Plan lays a pathway to attain and maintain the Gold status; and
WHEREAS, an updated Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan (2025) is shown as "Exhibit A; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, hereby adopts the 2025 Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan.