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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Planning and Zoning Commission
DATE: November 20, 2025
SUBJECT:
A Resolution Approving a Moratorium Hardship Appeal for a warehouse on property located at 560 Exchange Court and 580 Exchange Court (Loaves & Fishes Community Services - 25-0900 / NA21/1-25.357 - MHA - TV - Ward 10)
PURPOSE:
The Petitioner, Loaves & Fishes Community Services, is requesting approval of a Moratorium Hardship Appeal to allow construction of a proposed addition to the existing warehouse prior to the expiration of the moratorium, for the property located at 560 Exchange Court and 580 Exchange Court
BACKGROUND:
On September 25, 2025, the City Council approved an 180-day moratorium on data center facilities and warehouses in all zoning districts to allow Staff time to establish zoning regulations for these uses.
As part of the approved ordinance, an applicant may seek an exception from the moratorium pursuant to Section 8 Hardship Appeals Process (see attached ordinance).
To obtain this exception, the applicant must demonstrate by clear evidence that:
i. The effect of the Temporary Moratorium has caused or will cause an economic hardship on the applicant;
ii. The applicant cannot yield a reasonable return on the property if a datacenter or warehouse is not allowed;
iii. The applicant has made substantial investment in the development of a data center or warehouse that is affected by the Temporary Moratorium, which investment was made in reasonable reliance on the regulations in effect prior to the Temporary Moratorium and without knowledge of pending changes in such regulations (including this Temporary Moratorium), and based on a reasonable probability of zoning approval by the City;
iv. The datacenter or warehouse would have been allowed as a matter of right under the pre-existing Zoning Ordinance; and
v. The datacenter or warehouse as proposed complies with all other applicable City ordinances, regulations, and rules.
The Petitioner has submitted the application along with supporting documentation outlining how they believe they meet the hardship criteria necessary to allow construction of a proposed addition to the existing warehouse prior to expiration of the moratorium.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the Resolution Approving a Moratorium Hardship Appeal for a warehouse on property located at 560 Exchange Court and 580 Exchange Court.
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit "A" Legal Description
Hardship Appeal Application
Hardship Letter
PowerPoint Presentation
Maps
cc: City Council
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution Approving a of a Moratorium Hardship Appeal for a warehouse on property located at 560 Exchange Court and 580 Exchange Court.
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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, Loaves & Fishes Community Services, 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 October 27, 2025, Loaves & Fishes Community Services filed with the City of Aurora a petition requesting approval of a Moratorium Hardship Appeal for a warehouse on property located at 560 Exchange Court and 580 Exchange Court; and
WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Commission conducted a public hearing on November 19, 2025, reviewed the petition and recommended APPROVAL of said Moratorium Hardship Appeal; 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 APPROVAL of said Moratorium Hardship Appeal.