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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Jill N. Morgan, Senior Planner
DATE: September 18, 2025
SUBJECT:
An Ordinance Vacating a Water Main Easement and Cross Access Easement on the Property located south of Bilter Road and west of N. Eola Road, in Dupage County, Aurora, Illinois 60502 (Edged - 25-0738 / NA05/1-25.236 - Vac/E - JM - Ward 10)
PURPOSE:
The Petitioner, Edged, is requesting the Vacation of a Cross Access Easement and Watermain Easement for the property at 2815 Bilter Road which includes vacating easements no longer needed in order to develop a large data center building.
BACKGROUND:
The Subject Property is currently vacant with PDD Planned Development District zoning, which is part of the Butterfield Planned Development.
The Petitioner is also requesting the Vacation of Easements that are no longer needed with the one larger building.
Concurrently with this proposal, the Petitioner is requesting approval of a Final Plat Revision consolidating Lots 1 & 5 of Butterfield Phase II Unit 5A Subdivision, and establishing Lot 1 of Butterfield Phase II Unit 5A Resubdivision No. 1. The details of the request include consolidating two smaller lots into one large lot along with associated easement dedications
The Petitioner is also requesting approval of a Final Plan Revision for Butterfield Phase II Unit 5A Subdivision and the new Butterfield Phase II Unit 5A ReSubdivision No. 1 for a Warehouse, Distribution, and Storage Services (3300) Use in the form of a data center. The details of the request include the development of a 376,850 square foot data center. The approved Final Plan for Butterfield Phase II Unit 5A Subdivision was for an electronic data center complex consisting of two 209,967 square foot buildings and one 415,934 square foot building along with an electrical substation. The first 209,967 square foot building has been constructed, and the substation is in the process of submitting for permits. Instead of the two smaller buildings, the developers are proposing one larger building. While the Final Plat is just for the two-lot consolidation, the Final Plan is for the entire complex as the modification from three buildings to two buildings slightly changed the overall complex. The building will still be accessed off the complex’s private drive aisle with emergency access only from Eola Road. The building is set further back from Bilter Road and is situated vertically on the site with walled generator yards on the east and west elevations. The main entrance is located on the south elevation facing Eola Road. The drive aisle and entrance for the passenger vehicle electric charging area will be constructed with this building along with five spaces.
The proposed data center will utilize advanced energy-efficient cooling systems and a high-performance building envelope to reduce power consumption with the goal of achieving ENERGY STAR certification. Edged utilizes a closed-loop cooling system, which does not use water for cooling to minimize water consumption.
The developers conducted an acoustic study of the project. To control noise, the chillers will be enclosed by solid concrete parapet walls ranging in height from four feet to twelve feet.
Acoustical modeling of worst-case conditions as set forth in the acoustical report - assuming all chillers and generators are operating simultaneously (a very rare scenario) - shows that predicted sound levels will comply with State of Illinois regulatory limits.
The revised Landscape Plan generally adheres to the original Landscape Plan with some modifications to accommodate the larger building. The Landscape Plan still shows that the views of the buildings and substation are heavily buffered by berms and trees. Most of the berms and landscaping along the roadways have been installed. The revised Landscape Plan shows the interior landscaping around the ponds being installed with this building along with the landscaping around the substation.
Staff worked with the developers to upgrade the elevations of the buildings, including relocating the entrance of the building to the south elevation with a longer storefront to provide a more attractive façade facing Eola Road. While no longer an entrance, the north elevations has been upgraded with additional spandrel glass to resemble an entrance.
DISCUSSION:
Staff has reviewed the Vacation Ordinance - Easement 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.
POLICIES AND GUIDELINES:
The Staff’s Evaluation and Recommendation are based on the following Physical Development Policies:
10.0 To provide for the orderly, balanced and efficient growth and redevelopment of the City through the positive integration of land use patterns, functions, and circulation systems. To protect and enhance those assets and values that establishes the desirable quality and general livability of the City. To promote the City’s position as a regional center.
11.1 (5) To guide and promote development to areas where public utilities, public roads and municipal services are either available or planned.
12.0 To plan and provide for the growth of the city through the integration of land use patterns and functions that promotes complementary interactions between different land
use components.
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.
40.1 (5) To plan and promote the extension of the office and office-research corridor along the tollway in the City of Aurora.
40.1 (6) To promote attractive, well-maintained industrial and office-research areas through landscaping and site design.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends APPROVAL of the An Ordinance Vacating a Water Main Easement and Cross Access Easement on the Property located south of Bilter Road and west of N. Eola Road, in Dupage County, Aurora, Illinois 60502.
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit "A" Legal Description
Exhibit "B" Plat of Vacation - Watermain
Exhibit "C" Plat of Vacation - Cross Access
Legistar Number: 25-0738
cc:
Alderman Michael B. Saville, Chairperson
Alderman Patty Smith, Vice Chairperson
Alderman Javier Bañuelos
Alderwoman Juany Garza
Alderman Will White
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
ORDINANCE NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
An Ordinance Vacating a Water Main Easement and Cross Access Easement on the Property located south of Bilter Road and west of N. Eola Road, in Dupage County, Aurora, Illinois 60502.
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, the territory legally described in Exhibit “A”, both hereto attached and incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth and hereinafter referred to as said Exhibit “A” was heretofore reserved and granted to the City of Aurora for purposes of installing utilities and providing access; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Aurora has determined that said vacation described in Exhibit “A” will have no adverse effect upon the provision for utilities or access for which said easement was granted.
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: 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 Five: That part of the easement heretofore reserved and granted to the City of Aurora and shown on Exhibit “B” Plat of Vacation - Watermain and Exhibit "C" Plat of Vacation - Cross Access attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth and hereafter referred to as said Exhibit “B” and Exhibit "C" shall be, and is, hereby vacated.
Section Six: That the City Clerk be and is hereby authorized and directed to cause these Plats of Vacation attached hereto as Exhibit “B” and Exhibit "C", to be placed on record forthwith with the applicable County Recorder of Deeds.