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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Tracey M. Vacek
DATE: September 3, 2021
SUBJECT:
A Resolution Approving a Final Plan for a new Residence Hall on the Aurora University Campus located north of Prairie Street and east of S. Evanslawn Avenue (Aurora University - 21-0413 / AU20/4-21.161-Fpn - TV - Ward 4)
PURPOSE:
The Petitioner Aurora University is requesting approval of a Final Plan for a new residence hall on the Aurora University Campus.
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, a parking deck 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. Most of the homes acquired have been demolished for redevelopment. The remaining acquired homes are being used for University offices, classrooms and a studio.
The Petitioner is requesting approval of a Final Plan. The details of the request include the construction of a 5-story residence hall for undergraduate student housing. There will be a total of 88 rooms consisting of single, double and triple rooms. The first floor will be a mixed use consisting of a lounge and single rooms for autistic students. As part of the proposal, the University will be reconfiguring the circulations pattern to create a plaza area between the proposed residence hall and the existing residence hall to the east. In order to create the plaza, the University will be removing 36 parking spaces with a total of on-campus parking being 1,481 parking spaces which still meets the requirement.
The elevation is a brick building consisting of two hues of red brick with accents of blue metal paneling along the top of the building, around the windows, and on the front entrance. The entrance consists of insulated glass panels for the full length of the first floor.
The Petitioner is proposing hardscape beds around the residence hall consisting decorative stone. Canopy trees are being implemented along the west side of the building. In addition, canopy trees and three landscape beds are be proposed within the plaza area on the east side of the building.
DISCUSSION:
Staff has reviewed the Final Plan 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, except for 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:
Staff recommends CONDITIONAL APPROVAL of the Resolution Approving a Final Plan for a new Residence Hall on the Aurora University Campus located north of Prairie Street and east of S. Evanslawn Avenue with the following conditions:
1) That the Final Plan approval shall be contingent upon Final Engineering approval.
2) That a Plat of Vacation for all city utilities being removed shall be approved by the City Council and fully executed prior to issuance of the building permit.
3) That the Petitioner provide proof to the City of Aurora that all easements have been vacated for any other utilities being removed prior to issuance of the building permit.
4) That a Plat of Easement for any city utilities being constructed be recorded prior to occupancy permit.
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit "A-1" Final Plan
Exhibit "A-2" Landscape Plan
Exhibit "A-3" Building and Signage Elevation
Fire Plan
Land Use Petition and Supporting documents
Legistar History Report
Maps
Legistar Number: 21-0413
cc: Edward T. Sieben, Zoning & Planning Director
John P. Curley, Chief Development Services Officer
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution Approving a Final Plan for a new Residence Hall on the Aurora University Campus located north of Prairie Street and east of S. Evanslawn Avenue
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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 June 1, 2021, Aurora University filed with the City of Aurora a petition requesting approval of a Final Plan for a new residence hall on the Aurora University Campus located north of Prairie Street and east of S. Evanslawn Avenue and related required documents as attached hereto as Exhibits "A-1" through Exhibit “A-3”; and
WHEREAS, on September 15, 2021, the Building, Zoning and Economic Development Committee of the Aurora City Council reviewed said Final Plan and the before mentioned recommendations and recommended CONDITIONAL APPROVAL of said petition; and
WHEREAS, the decision of the Building, Zoning and Economic Development Committee with respect to a final plan 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 CONDITIONAL APPROVAL of said Final Plan with the following conditions:
1) That the Final Plan approval shall be contingent upon Final Engineering approval.
2) That a Plat of Vacation for all city utilities being removed shall be approved by the City Council and fully executed prior to issuance of the building permit.
3) That the Petitioner provide proof to the City of Aurora that all easements have been vacated for any other utilities being removed prior to issuance of the building permit.
4) That a Plat of Easement for any city utilities being constructed be recorded prior to occupancy permit.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Aurora hereby adopts the Final Plan and related required documents, as attached hereto as Exhibit "A-1" Final Plan, Exhibit “A-2” Landscape Plan, and Exhibit “A-3” Building and Signage Elevations, along with any easement dedications deemed necessary by the Aurora City Engineer.