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TO: Mayor Thomas J. Weisner
FROM: Planning Commission
DATE: October 23, 2014
SUBJECT:
A Resolution Approving a Revision to the Final Plan for Unit 1 Lot 1 of Aurora Public Library Subdivision located at 101 S River Street, Aurora, Illinois 60506 (Aurora Public Library - L14-00869 / AU21/3-13.256-Fpn/R - SP - Ward 4)
PURPOSE:
The Petitioner, Aurora Public Library, is Requesting approval of a Final Plan Revision for the new Aurora Public Library at 101 S River Street for a 0.256 acre plaza on the west side of the building. The details of the proposal include the enhancement and expansion of the previously approved Middle Avenue Plaza area, thanks to a generous donation by the Parker family for the design and construction of this "memory garden".
BACKGROUND:
The Subject Property is located at 101 S River Street and is currently under construction to be the new home of the Central Aurora Public Library and is expected to be open to the public in late Spring 2015. The property is generally located south of Benton Street, between Middle Avenue and River Street. The Subject Property is part of the original City and was zoned "F" Industrial District on the 1929 zoning map and then designated as B-3 Business and Wholesale District, Limited on the 1957 zoning map.
The property was historically home of the Beacon News until they relocated out of Downtown and a developer purchased the property and raised the building to prepare it for re-development. The Aurora Public Library purchased the property in 2013 with the intention of relocating the Central Aurora Public Library from the existing facility at 1 East Benton to the new facility now being constructed on the site.
The City approved a Rezoning and Special Use on the Subject Property in April of 2013m rezoning the property from B-3 to DF(S) with a special use for a planned development. The City also approved as part of that Ordinance O13-016 a Final Plat and Plan for a two lot subdivision and the 95,673 square foot state of the art public library facility, the ancillary parking lot with 138 spaces and a concept for public plaza in what was Middle Avenue adjacent to the building. It was the intent of the Library Board to solicit donations to design and build this plaza and that they would return to the City with a revised plaza plan in the future. The elements of the plaza include a children's nature garden and an adult reading area.
In addition to these two outdoor spaces the Aurora Public Library has received a charitable gift of $100,000 from the Parker Family for the new Parker Memory Garden intended for the use of Alzheimer's patients and other individuals with similar medical challenges, with a $40,000 challenge grant that will give the community an opportunity to participate in the construction of the garden with naming opportunities (see press release attached). The plaza will be expanded from the originally proposed foot-print to accommodate the Parker Memory Garden, the expansion involves displacing nine (9) parking spaces in the City's Benton Street Lot adjacent to Middle Avenue. The arrangements for the use of this public property, along with that portion of Middle Avenue, was approved on October 14, 2014 by the City of Aurora City Council with an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Library by Resolution R14-260.
The revision to the Final Plan is in keeping with the overall vision of the Final Plan, as stated in the Library's qualifying statement "The addition of these three outdoor pedestrian focused elements will serve to beautifully complement and enhance the downtown Aurora experience as well the purpose and function of the indoor library facility. The tactile and sensory experiences of each outdoor physical environment represent unique, reflective, and enriched settings designed to serve a wide ranging population base. This approach supports the Library's mission and commitment to lifelong learning and access to information, knowledge and ideas, and to nurture an educated, enlightened and diverse community."
DISCUSSION:
Staff has reviewed the Final Plan Revision petition, and finds that it is in conformance with the recently approved Intergovernmental Agreement, meets all of the applicable codes and ordinances and is in keeping with the spirit of the previously approved Final Plan to provide a unique public plaza as part of the new library facility.
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.
11.0 To guide the growth of the City in an orderly and structured manner.
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 promotes complementary interactions between different land use components.
93.1(1) To encourage the use of aesthetically pleasing urban design, architectural styles, and landscape architecture.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Planning Commission recommended APPROVAL of the Revision to the Final Plan for Unit 1 Lot 1 of Aurora Public Library Subdivision located at 101 S River Street, Aurora, Illinois 60506
ATTACHMENTS:
Press Release - Parker Memory Garden
Land Use Petition
Qualifying Statement
Legistar History Report
Property Research Sheet
Final Plan Revision
Landscape Plan
Design Guide
cc:
Planning and Development Committee:
Alderman Saville, Chairman
Alderman Donnell
Alderman Irvin
Alderman Hart-Burns, Alternate
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution Approving a Revision to the Final Plan for Unit 1 of Aurora Public Library Subdivision located at 101 S River Street, Aurora, Illinois 60506.
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 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 October 8, 2014, Aurora Public Library filed with the City of Aurora requesting a Final Plan Revision for Aurora Public Library Subdivision Unit 1 Lot 1 as described on Exhibit "A" attached hereto; and
WHEREAS, on October 22, 2014, the Aurora Planning Commission reviewed said Final Plan Revision and recommended APPROVAL of said petition; and
WHEREAS, on October 30, 2014, the Planning and Development Committee of the Aurora City Council reviewed said Final Plan Revision and before mentioned recommendations and recommended 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 Final Plan Revision with the following conditions:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Aurora hereby adopts the Final Plan Revision as described on Exhibit "A" along with any dedications deemed necessary by the Aurora City Engineer.
PASSED AND APPROVED on ______________.
AYES ____ NAYS ____ NOT VOTING ____ ABSENT ____
____________________________ __________________________
Alderman Bohman, Ward 1 Alderman Garza, Ward 2
____________________________ __________________________
Alderman Mesiacos, Ward 3 Alderman Donnell, Ward 4
____________________________ __________________________
Alderman Peters, Ward 5 Alderman Saville, Ward 6
____________________________ __________________________
Alderman Hart-Burns, Ward 7 Alderman Mervine, Ward 8
____________________________ __________________________
Alderman Bugg, Ward 9 Alderman Johnson, Ward 10
____________________________ __________________________
Alderman Irvin, At Large Alderman O'Connor, At Large
ATTEST:
____________________________ __________________________
City Clerk Mayor
Legistar Number: L14-00869
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit "A" Plan Information Sheet
EXHIBIT "A"
PLAN INFORMATION SHEET
For the Final Plan Revision for the property located at 101 S River Street
Case File Number: AU21/3-13.256-Fpn/R
Tax Parcel Number: 15-22-311-002; 15-21-477-010
Owner:
Aurora Public Library
1 E. Benton Street
Aurora, IL 60505
Plan Prepared By:
Engineering Enterprises, Inc.
52 Wheeler Road
Sugar Grove, IL 60554
Date Plan Received: 10/8/2014
Landscape Plan Prepared By:
Schoppe Design Associates
126 S. Main Street
Oswego, 60543
Date Landscape Plan Received: 10/8/2014
NOTE: A COPY OF THESE DOCUMENTS AS REFERENCED HEREON ARE ON FILE IN THE CITY OF AURORA PLANNING AND ZONING DIVISION OFFICE ON THE SECOND FLOOR, 1 SOUTH BROADWAY, AURORA, ILLINOIS, 60505.