cover
TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Tracey Vacek, Zoning & Planning Director
John P. Curley, Chief Development Services Officer
Alison Lindburg, Director of Sustainability
DATE: March 9, 2026
SUBJECT:
An Ordinance Amending Chapter 49 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Aurora, by modifying Section 49-103.3 Definitions and Section 49-108.10 “ORI” Office, Research and Light Industry District regarding warehouses and Section 49-108.10 “ORI” Office, Research and Light Industry District, Section 49-109.2 "M-1" Manufacturing District, Limited and Section 49-109.3 "M-2" Manufacturing District, General regarding performance standards
PURPOSE:
In response to the moratorium approved on September 25, 2025, pursuant to Ordinance No. O25-064, the purpose of this ordinance is to establish separate data center facilities regulations from warehouses regulations, recognizing that data centers have fundamentally different land use, infrastructure, environmental, and community impacts than traditional warehouses.
BACKGROUND:
On September 25, 2025, pursuant to Ordinance No. O25-064, a moratorium was approved to allow Staff time to:
• Research national best practices and safeguards implemented through zoning ordinances and building codes.
• Study the environmental, stormwater, and utility impacts of data centers and warehouses.
• Assess fiscal impacts, including long-term service and infrastructure costs.
• Develop potential zoning and performance standards.
• Report findings to City Council within three months.
• Create a definition for data centers and warehouses.
Based on the above research, Staff has drafted the attached Exhibit "A".
The intended sequence to pass the ordinance is through the following process:
Zoning and Planning Commission
Rules, Administration and Procedure Committee
Building, Zoning, and Economic Committee (information only)
Committee of the Whole
City Council (final vote)
DISCUSSION:
Since the adoption of the moratorium, Staff has conducted research into best practices from comparable municipalities and prepared the draft text amendment. These regulations are intended to preserve the City’s remaining limited supply of ORI Office, Research and Light Industrial zoned land for higher-value research, innovation, and light manufacturing uses that generate employment opportunities and long-term economic benefit rather than warehouse and distribution activities.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
This text amendment is intended to have a positive impact by establishing clear standards and reasonable limitations that ensure the City’s limited ORI parcels are developed and utilized in a manner consistent with its long-term economic development objectives.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended APPROVAL of the Ordinance Amending Chapter 49 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Aurora, by modifying Section 49-103.3 Definitions and Section 49-108.10 “ORI” Office, Research And Light Industry District regarding warehouses and Section 49-108.10 “ORI” Office, Research And Light Industry District, Section 49-109.2 "M-1" Manufacturing District, Limited and Section 49-109.3 "M-2" Manufacturing District, General regarding performance standards
cc:
Alderman Michael Saville, Chairperson
Alderwoman Patty Smith, Vice Chairperson
Alderman Javier Bañuelos
Alderwoman Juany Garza
Alderman At-Large Will White
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
ORDINANCE NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
An Ordinance Amending Chapter 49 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Aurora, by modifying Section 49-103.3 Definitions and Section 49-108.10 “ORI” Office, Research and Light Industry District regarding warehouses and Section 49-108.10 “ORI” Office, Research and Light Industry District, Section 49-109.2 "M-1" Manufacturing District, Limited and Section 49-109.3 "M-2" Manufacturing District, General regarding performance standards
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, on September 25, 2025 by Ordinance O25-064, the City Council enacted a temporary moratorium, on new warehouse an to allow time for City staff to study best practices, evaluate community impacts, and develop appropriate standards specific to warehouses; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Aurora has determined that it is necessary and desirable to amend Chapter 49 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Aurora, being the Zoning Ordinance, in order to update and improve certain Sections of said Ordinance to better carry out the purpose and intent of said Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, on February 18, 2026, the Planning and Zoning Commission, after publication of notice, held a public hearing on the amendments to said Ordinance and recommended approval of the amendment attached hereto and incorporated herein and hereinafter referred to as Exhibit “A”.
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: The amendment set forth in Exhibit “A” shall not apply to the properties identified in Exhibit “B,” as those sites are in various stages of development and have proceeded in reliance on the regulations in effect at the time of application. Any pending or approved applications for those properties shall continue to be reviewed and acted upon in accordance with the provisions of the previous ordinance.
Section Five: 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 Six: That the amendments to Chapter 49 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Aurora, being the Zoning Ordinance, are hereby adopted as set forth in said Exhibit “A”.