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TO: Mayor Thomas J. Weisner
FROM: Planning Commission
DATE: October 8, 2015
SUBJECT:
An Ordinance Amending Ordinance Number 3100, being the Aurora Zoning Ordinance and the Zoning Map attached thereto, by Rezoning Property located at 551 4th Ave from R-2(S) One Family Dwelling District to O - Office District (Northern Lights Development Corporation - L15-00710 / AU27/2-15.057-Rz - TV - WARD 3)
PURPOSE:
The Petitioner, Northern Lights Development Corporation is requesting to rezone the property at 551 4th Avenue from R-2(S) One Family Dwelling District to O - Office District for an office use.
BACKGROUND:
The Subject Property is located at 551 4th Avenue, which is at the southwest corner of the 4th Avenue and Jackson Street, and is the former Emmanuel Lutheran School building which closed approximately 10 years ago. The property is currently zoned R-2(S) One Family Dwelling District with a Special Use for the school which was granted in 1982 as part of the Central East Side Area Neighborhood comprehensive downzoning initiative.
The Petitioner, Northern Lights Development Corporation, recently purchased the property and is requesting to rezone the property from R-2(S) One Family Dwelling District to O - Office District. The proposal consist of converting the former school to office uses which will house the Northern Light Development Corporation. No changes will be made to the gym portion of the building which will remain while the classroom portion will be converted to offices. The Corporation will have up to 10 employees. Emmanuel Lutheran Church will remain across the street and continue to be able to use the parking lot for services to mitigate parking issues in the neighborhood.
DISCUSSION:
Staff has reviewed the Rezoning petition and found that this rezoning will have a positive impact by adding investment into the neighborhood and by adding value to a building which has been vacant for the last 10 years.
POLICIES AND GUIDELINES :
The Staff’s Evaluation and Recommendation are based on the following Physical Development Policies:
11.0 To guide the growth of the City in an orderly and structured manner.
22.1(5) To recognize the unique characteristics of individual neighborhoods and promote their positive attributes.
40.1(1) To attract and encourage industrial, office and office-research development to planned sites where requisite public facilities are either present or proposed.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Planning Commission recommends CONDITIONAL APPROVAL of the Ordinance Amending Ordinance Number 3100, being the Aurora Zoning Ordinance and the Zoning Map attached thereto, by Rezoning Property located at 551 4th Ave from R-2(S) One Family Dwelling District to O - Office District with the following condition:
1. That a Landscape Plan shall be provided and subject to approval by the Planning and Zoning Division prior to a temporary occupancy permit or occupancy permit being issued for the project. Said Landscape Plan shall include a mixture of canopy trees, shrubs, grasses, and perennials along the north and west side of the building and within the first 5 feet of the parking lot along Jackson Street.
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit “A” Legal Description
Land Use Petition with Supporting Documents
Plat of Survey
Property Research Sheet
Legistar Number: L15-00710
cc: Alderman Saville, Chairman
Alderman Donnell
Alderman Irvin
Alderman Hart-Burns, Alternate
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
ORDINANCE NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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An Ordinance Amending Ordinance Number 3100, being the Aurora Zoning Ordinance and the Zoning Map attached thereto, by Rezoning Property located at 551 4th Ave from R-2(S) One Family Dwelling District to O - Office District
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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, Northern Lights Development Corporation is the owner of record of the real estate legally described on Exhibit “A”, attached hereto; and
WHEREAS, by petition dated August 4, 2015, Northern Lights Development Corporation filed with the City of Aurora a petition Requesting to Rezone property at 551 4th Avenue from R-2(S) One Family Dwelling District to O Office District legally described on said Exhibit “A”; and
WHEREAS, after referral of said petition from the Aurora City Council, and after due notice and publication of said notice, the Aurora Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on September 2, 2015, reviewed the petition and recommended CONDITIONAL APPROVAL of said petition; and
WHEREAS, on October 8, 2015, the Planning and Development Committee of the Aurora City Council reviewed said Rezoning and the before mentioned recommendations and recommended CONDITIONAL APPROVAL of said petition; and
WHEREAS, the City Council, based upon the recommendation and the stated standards of the Planning Commission, finds that the proposed Rezoning is not contrary to the purpose and intent of Ordinance Number 3100, being the Aurora Zoning Ordinance.
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 all Ordinances or part of Ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed insofar as any conflict exists.
Section Three: That Ordinance Number 3100, being the Aurora Zoning Ordinance and the Zoning Map attached thereto be, and the same are, hereby amended to rezone the real estate property described in Exhibit “A”, from R-2(S) One Family Dwelling District to O - Office District with the following conditions:
1. That a Landscape Plan shall be provided and subject to approval by the Planning and Zoning Division prior to a temporary occupancy permit or occupancy permit being issued for the project. Said Landscape Plan shall include a mixture of shrubs, grasses, and perennials along the north and west side of the building and within the first 5 feet of the parking lot along Jackson Street.
Section Four: That this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect, and shall be controlling, upon its passage and approval.
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.