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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Planning and Zoning Commission
DATE: September 17, 2026
SUBJECT:
A Resolution Approving a Preliminary Plan and Plat for LouJake Waterford Center Subdivision Addition Number 3, on vacant land located at 1680 Montgomery Road (Macy Storage Company/ AU36/1-26.208 - CUPD/R/Psd/Ppn - AM - Ward 3)
PURPOSE:
The Petitioner Macy Storage Company is requesting approval of a Preliminary Plan and Plat for common corridor climate control Mini-Storage facility located at 1680 Montgomery Road.
BACKGROUND:
The Subject Property is currently zoned PDD Planned Development District. The property consists of Lots 3, 4, 5, and 7 of the Loujake Waterford Center Subdivision which is located within Parcel 4 of the Waterford Planned Development District. Lots 3 and 7 are currently undeveloped parcels, while Lots 4 and 5 contain a dry detention basin that serves the subject property and surrounding commercial properties.
The petitioner is requesting approval of a Preliminary Plat and Plan. The detail of the Plat entails the resubdivision of the property to create the proposed development and accommodate internal circulation. Lot 1 will consist of the proposed mini storage facility. Lot 2, which fronts Waterford Drive, and Lot 3, which fronts Montgomery Road, will remain vacant for future commercial development. Lot 4 will remain as a stormwater detention facility.
The details of Plan include a three-story, climate-controlled mini-storage facility containing 103,400 square feet, of which approximately 72,930 square feet is rentable storage space and approximately 900 square feet is office space. The building is designed to allow vehicles to be able to drive into the building to unload within an enclosed space.
Concurrently with this proposal, the petitioner is also requesting the approval of the amendment to the Waterford Plan Description. The details of the request include adding mini storage but limit to climate control common corridors as a permitted use, establishing parking regulations for the mini storage, and allowing for the creation of the subdivision.
DISCUSSION:
Staff has reviewed the Preliminary Plan and Plat Resolution 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.
While there is currently storage facility in the area, the proposed development provides additional climate-controlled storage options, as the other facility is primarily cold storage with limited climate-controlled storage. Therefore, staff does not anticipate this creating an adverse impact on the existing facility as the proposed climate-controlled facility reaches another type of consumer. Climate controlled facilities are marketed to items sensitive to temperature and humidity, such as household goods while non-climate controlled facilities are often used for items that do not require a controlled environment, such as equipment, construction materials, and recreational items.
In addition, the unusual configuration of the lot being an "L" shape makes it difficult for the rear portion to develop with a commercial use as it is set back from the street; however, this configuration lends itself well to storage, a destination place that can be tucked behind other uses.
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.
11.1 (3) To encourage new development contiguous to existing development.
12.0 To plan and provide for the growth of the city through the integration of land use patterns and functions that promote complementary interactions between different land use components.
14.1 (4) To encourage quality site design throughout the City.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended CONDITIONAL APPROVAL of the resolution approving a Preliminary Plan and Plat for LouJake Waterford Center Subdivision Addition Number 3, on vacant land located at 1680 Montgomery Road with the following conditions:
1) That the storage facility have manned management staff on-site during all operational hours or if on-site management staff will not be present during any period when the building is accessible to the public, the following security measures shall be implemented in addition to any additional requirements imposed by the Aurora Police Department:
a. 24/7 monitored security alarm system with the following features
i. Keypad entry systems at only the required exterior entry doors
ii. Interior motion detection system notifying of any afterhours building activity
iii. All Emergency only exits doors shall notify the alarm system and set a local alarm with "Alarm will sound" signage
iv. After hour security response plan and contacts shall be shared with Aurora's Emergency responders.
v. No Trespassing signage and agreements shall be signed and instituted at the direction of the Police department.
vi. No unused units shall be left unsecured at anytime
vii. Current rent rolls and security access activity shall be made available on- demand on-site to our emergency responders
viii. Additional Emergency keyboxes as required by our emergency responders
ix. Connection of the security system to our incident response system if desired by our emergency responders.
2) That the lease shall contain the following provisions:
a. Holding open doors for other individuals will constitute a violation of the lease and may result in termination of the lease.
b. Staff shall have the right to enter any storage unit when there is reasonable suspicion of illegal activity occurring within the storage unit
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit "A-1" Preliminary Plan
Exhibit "A-2" Preliminary Plat
Land Use Petition with Supporting Documents
Letter in Opposition - 2026-08-18
Maps
Legistar: 26-0495
cc:
Alderman Michael Saville, Chairperson
Alderwoman Patty Smith, Vice Chairperson
Alderman Javier Bañuelos
Alderwoman Juany Garza
Alderman Will White
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution Approving a Preliminary Plan and Plat for LouJake Waterford Center Subdivision Addition Number 3, on vacant land located at 1680 Montgomery Road
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, by petition dated July 8, 2026, Macy Storage Company filed with the City of Aurora a petition requesting approval of a Preliminary Plan and Plat for Macy Storage Company, a Climate Controlled Mini-Storage, Common Corridor Units (3340) Use located at 1680 Montgomery Road and related required documents as attached hereto as Exhibits "A-1" through Exhibit “A-2”; and
WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Commission conducted a hearing on August 19, 2026, reviewed the petition and recommended CONDITIONAL APPROVAL of said petition; and
WHEREAS, on August 26, 2026, the Building, Zoning and Economic Development Committee of the Aurora City Council reviewed said Preliminary Plat and Plan and the before mentioned recommendations and recommended CONDITIONAL 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 CONDITIONAL APPROVAL of said Preliminary Plan and Plat with the following conditions:
1) That the storage facility have manned management staff on-site during all operational hours or if on-site management staff will not be present during any period when the building is accessible to the public, the following security measures shall be implemented in addition to any additional requirements imposed by the Aurora Police Department:
a. 24/7 monitored security alarm system with the following features
i. Keypad entry systems at only the required exterior entry doors
ii. Interior motion detection system notifying of any afterhours building activity
iii. All Emergency only exits doors shall notify the alarm system and set a local alarm with "Alarm will sound" signage
iv. After hour security response plan and contacts shall be shared with Aurora's Emergency responders.
v. No Trespassing signage and agreements shall be signed and instituted at the direction of the Police department.
vi. No unused units shall be left unsecured at anytime
vii. Current rent rolls and security access activity shall be made available on- demand on-site to our emergency responders
viii. Additional Emergency keyboxes as required by our emergency responders
ix. Connection of the security system to our incident response system if desired by our emergency responders.
2) That the lease shall contain the following provisions:
a. Holding open doors for other individuals will constitute a violation of the lease and may result in termination of the lease.
b. Staff shall have the right to enter any storage unit when there is reasonable suspicion of illegal activity occurring within the storage unit
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Aurora hereby adopts the Preliminary Plat and Plan and related required documents as attached hereto as Exhibit "A-1" Preliminary Plat and Exhibit “A-2” Preliminary Plan.