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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Planning Commission
DATE: October 18, 2019
SUBJECT:
A Building, Zoning and Economic Development Committee Resolution Approving a Revision to the Final Plan on Lot 1 of Aurora University 2nd Resubdivision to remove of the gate across Southlawn Place to allow vehicle access entering or leaving the Campus by means of Southlawn Place located at 1405 Prairie Street (Aurora University - 19-0857 / AU20/4-19.178-Fpn/R - TV - Ward 4)
PURPOSE:
The Petitioner, Aurora University, is requesting approval of a Final Plan Revision to remove the gate across Southlawn Place to allow vehicle access entering or leaving the Campus by means of Southlawn Place located at 1405 Prairie Street.
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 19 major buildings, and a football field/soccer field with bleachers, 7 parking lots and a parking deck. 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. All of homes acquired along Southlawn have been demolished for the newly constructed parking deck. The remaining acquired homes are being used for University offices, classrooms and a studio.
The Petitioner is requesting approval of a Final Plan Revision. In October of 2018, the Petitioner received approval for a 503 space parking deck at the end of Southlawn Place, north of Prairie Street. At that time, the Plan showed a gate across Southlawn Place just west of the deck's entrance/exit so that no vehicle could travel west. The intent was to filter the vehicles to the Prairie Street entrance which aligns with Randall Road.
As the parking deck has been built and will be ready to open sometime in November, Aurora University is now concerned that without opening Southlawn Place for vehicle movement, there will be a backup of vehicles trying to enter and exit the parking deck. Therefore, the Petitioner is seeking the removal of the gate across Southlawn Place to allow for access to be more evenly distributed.
DISCUSSION:
Staff has reviewed the Final Plan Revision petition and have determined that it meets the applicable codes and ordinances.
Aurora University has been mindful of the impact of traffic to the residents who lived along Southlawn Place, however, the majority of the homes have been purchased by the University and the construction of the parking deck has created a need for additional access.
The Aurora University's Master Plan shows Southlawn Place as an access into the Campus. The intent of the Master Plan is to eventually vacate the remaining portion of the Southlawn Place for the use by the University. This vacation will not occur until such time that the one remaining home on Southlawn Place is acquired by the University.
Staff worked with the Aurora University for several years with regards to the construction of a parking deck on Campus to help alleviate parking issues within the neighborhood. By making the parking deck more easily accessible, this Final Plan Revision will help in maximizing the use of parking deck, which in turn, will facilitate the goal of the Master Plan of reducing parking within the neighborhood and surrounding streets.
As of the date of this memo, staff has received one public inquiry requesting additional information on this petition and raising concerns regarding the traffic towards Evanslawn Avenue.
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 Building, Zoning and Economic Development Committee Resolution Approving a Revision to the Final Plan on Lot 1 of Aurora University 2nd Resubdivision to remove of the gate across Southlawn Place to allow vehicle access entering or leaving the Campus by means of Southlawn Place located at 1405 Prairie Street
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit "A" Final Plan
Land Use Petition with Supporting Documents
Property Research Sheet
Legistar History Report
Legistar Number: 19-0857
cc:
Building, Zoning and Economic Development Committee:
Alderman Michael B. Saville, Chairperson
Alderman Sherman Jenkins, Vice Chairperson
Alderman Carl Franco
Alderman Robert J. O’Connor
Alderman Juany Garza
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Building, Zoning and Economic Development Committee Resolution Approving a Revision to the Final Plan on Lot 1 of Aurora University 2nd Resubdivision to remove of the gate across Southlawn Place to allow vehicle access entering or leaving the Campus by means of Southlawn Place located at 1405 Prairie Street
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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 September 19, 2019, Aurora University filed with the City of Aurora a petition requesting approval of a Final Plan Revision to remove the gate across Southlawn Place to allow vehicle access entering or leaving the Campus by means of Southlawn Place located at 1405 Prairie Street 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 16, 2019, reviewed the petition and recommended APPROVAL of said petition; and
WHEREAS, on October 23, 2019, the Building, Zoning and Economic Development Committee of the Aurora City Council reviewed said Final Plan Revision and the before mentioned recommendations and recommended APPROVAL of said petition; and
WHEREAS, the decision of the Building, Zoning and Economic Development Committee with respect to a Final Plan Revision is subject to appeal to the City Council in the manner set forth in the City of Aurora Zoning Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, no person authorized under City of Aurora Zoning Ordinance to appeal such decision having done so in the manner set forth in the Ordinance, the Decision of the Building, Zoning and Economic Development Committee constitutes final action on the proposed Final Plan; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Building, Zoning and Economic Development Committee of the City of Aurora, Illinois, finds as facts all of the preamble recitals of this Resolution and hereby grants APPROVAL of said Final Plan Revision.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Building, Zoning and Economic Development Committee of the City of Aurora hereby adopts the Final Plan Revision and related required documents, as attached hereto as Exhibit "A" Final Plan Revision along with any easement dedications or vacations deemed necessary by the Aurora City Engineer.