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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Planning Commission
DATE: October 4, 2018
SUBJECT:
A Resolution Approving a Revision to the Final Plat located north of Prairie Street, east of S. Evanslawn Avenue, south of Marseillaise Place, west of S. Gladstone Avenue and establishing Lot 1 of Aurora University 2nd Resubdivision (Aurora University - 18-0788 / AU20/4-18-125-V/Fsd/Fpn/R - TV - Ward 4)
PURPOSE:
The Petitioner, Aurora University, is requesting approval of a Final Plat Revision consolidating the Aurora University Property into one lot.
BACKGROUND:
The Subject Property currently includes Aurora University, a private, post-secondary institution of higher education with accredited Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral level programs. The Campus currently consists of approximately 40 acres and includes 18 major buildings, 7 parking lots and a football field/soccer field with bleachers. The University has acquired all but one property on the south side of Southlawn Place, which is currently a single-family dwelling with R-1 One-Family Dwelling District zoning. Some of the homes acquired have been demolished and have been devoted to open space until redevelopment occurs. The remaining acquired homes are being used for University offices, classrooms and a studio.
The Petitioner is requesting approval of a Final Plat Revision. With the approval of the 2018 Plan Description and Master Plan, it is anticipated that the University owned lots would be consolidated and Southlawn right of way would be vacated as the properties are acquired and incorporated into the University’s Master Plan. The proposal is to consolidate the property that is currently owned by the Aurora University into one lot. The property north of Marseillaise Place, which is also owned by Aurora University, is not anticipated to be consolidated, therefore, is not part of this plat.
Concurrently with this proposal, Petitioner is also requesting approval of a Plat of Vacation for a portion of Southlawn Place right of way. The University now owns all of the properties on Southlawn Place except for one privately owned homes. Since the University has to maintain the public right of way to this house, they are only requesting to vacate the right of way along 1424 Southlawn Place.
The Petitioner is also requesting approval of a Final Plan with a variance. The details of the request include the construction of a 147,600 sq. ft. 4-story parking deck, with a total of 503 parking spaces. This will bring the total campus parking to 1560 parking spaces. Access into the parking deck is located at the northwest corner and on the east side of the building. The drive aisle along the east side of the parking deck is being widened to accommodate a left turn bay at the intersection with Prairie Street. The gate located on the vacated portion of Southlawn Place is being moved to the west between the proposed parking deck and the adjacent property to alleviate traffic on Southlawn Place. A structured detention system is being proposed under the parking deck to fulfill the stormwater requirements.
The building elevation for the parking deck is a combination of red brick, precast, and glass. The Petitioner is proposing Aurora University signage along the east elevation and the inlay of the Aurora University's logo on the north elevation. Landscaping is being implemented around the entire building. As part of the proposal, the Petitioner is requesting a variance to increase the height of the parking deck from 35' to an average of 41' 7 23/32" and a maximum of 55' 10 1/2". Per the Aurora University plan description, this variance does not require a public hearing.
DISCUSSION:
Staff has reviewed the Final Plat Revision 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:
11.1 (5) To guide and promote development to areas where public utilities, public roads and municipal services are either available or planned.
11.1(3) To encourage new development contiguous to existing development.
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 APPROVAL of the Resolution Approving a Revision to the Final Plat located north of Prairie Street, east of S. Evanslawn Avenue, south of Marseillaise Place, west of S. Gladstone Avenue and establishing Lot 1 of Aurora University 2nd Resubdivision
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit "A" Final Plat
Planning and Zoning Staff Review comments dated September 25, 2018
Land Use Petition with Supporting Documents
Property Research Sheet
Legistar History Report
Legistar Number: 18-0788
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 Revision to the Final Plat located north of Prairie Street, east of S. Evanslawn Avenue, south of Marseillaise Place, west of S. Gladstone Avenue and establishing Lot 1 of Aurora University 2nd Resubdivision
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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 August 28, 2018, Aurora University filed with the City of Aurora a petition Requesting approval of a Final Plat Revision consolidating the Aurora University Property into one lot and related required documents as attached hereto as Exhibits "A"; and
WHEREAS, after referral of said petition from the Aurora City Council, the Aurora Planning Commission conducted a hearing on October 3, 2018, reviewed the petition and recommended APPROVAL of said petition; and
WHEREAS, on October 11, 2018, the Planning and Development Committee of the Aurora City Council reviewed said Final Plat Revision and the before mentioned recommendations and recommended 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 APPROVAL of said Final Plat Revision.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Aurora hereby adopts the Final Plat and related required documents as attached hereto as Exhibit "A" Final Plat along with any easement dedications or vacations deemed necessary by the Aurora City Engineer