VILLAGE OF NORTH AURORA
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES
JUNE 1, 2015
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Berman called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL
In attendance: Mayor Dale Berman, Trustee Laura Curtis, Trustee Mike Lowery, Trustee Chris Faber, Trustee Mark Carroll, Trustee Mark Gaffino, Trustee Mark Guethle, Village Clerk Lori Murray.
Staff in attendance: Village Administrator Steve Bosco, Finance Director Bill Hannah, Community & Economic Development Director Mike Toth, Police Chief Dave Summer, Public Works Superintendent Mike Glock, Water Superintendent Paul Young, Village Attorney Kevin Drendel.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS – None
TRUSTEE COMMENTS – None
DISCUSSION
1. Discussion of T.I.F. Grant Application for 18 S. Lincolnway
Property owner is seeking a matching amount of $13,200 for the TIF façade grant to do siding and railing along the property. Resolution for final approval will be on the agenda for the next Village Board meeting.
2. Discussion of a Mixed-Use Concept Plan for Oak St and Orchard Road Property
The Village has been working with Continental Properties over the past few months. The proposed concept plan shows 300 units as part of a mixed-use concept at the corner of Oak and Orchard Roads.
Attorney John Philipchuck, Erik Hahn, Director of Development for Continental Properties and consultant Steve Caton of Caton Commercial in Naperville, IL were in attendance. Atty. Philipchuck said that Continental Properties would like to bring a forty million dollar plus property to the Village. The property at the northeast corner of Oak & Orchard is under an annexation agreement. The petitioner would be seeking a special use for a PUD, mixed use development for 8 acres of commercial along the Orchard Road frontage and 18 acres of Class A market rate apartments.
Erik Hahn noted that Continental Properties is a national developer of hospitality, apartment development and retail properties throughout the U.S. Continental has 73 different properties including 3.2 million s.f. of retail space, 7,000 multi-family units in 27 separate communities and one 250 room hotel. Multi-family development consists of over 10,000 units in 15 states. Continental develops, owns and manages all of its trademark Springs communities.
Springs at Orchard Road would provide a new class A rental housing option in the area. It would also provide a smooth transitional use from the owner occupied townhomes east of the site to the Orchard Road commercial corridor to the north and south. It would be a 2-story building, 35 feet in height. The 300 units would be built on a portion of the 25 acres. There would be a mix of studio, 1, 2 and 3-bedroom offerings. Rent for the studio would begin at $1,000/unit and the larger apartment would be $1800/unit. This will be an amenity driven community and will feature a large 4000 s.f. clubhouse and leasing center near Oak Street, outdoor pool, 24 hour fitness center and pet playgrounds. It will be a fenced and secured gated community.
Trustee Curtis asked about the zoning for the parcel behind Woodmans. Curtis noted that this parcel at Orchard and Oak is valuable land and would rather see a big box instead of residential. Toth said the property behind Woodmans is currently unincorporated and does not have an underlying annexation agreement or any underlying zoning opportunities or entitlements. The petitioner said they had reached out to the developer and the developer was not willing to sell to a multi-family development. Curtis asked if there has been any additional interest in this property. Toth said no.
Trustee Carroll asked how long it would take to complete phase I. The petitioner said that they would develop the apartment portion in a single phase and would lease it up over the course of 18 months to 2 years. Within 6 months, the developer will have the first 20 units of one building ready for turnover. Then, every 6 weeks thereafter a building would turn. Trustee Guethle asked how high the fence is that surrounds the property. Petitioner stated it varies by site but usually between 5 and 6 feet. Trustee Guethle asked how far the setback is for the retention pond. Toth said it is a 25-foot setback. The width of the retention pond is over 100 feet. Trustee Faber asked how much retail square footage could fit in the 8.3 acres. Petitioner said 10,000 s.f. of leaseable retail space per acre.
Steve Caton of Caton Commercial mentioned that big boxes are pulling back on sizes and shopping patterns and demographics have changed in recent years. The Village has over 300 acres in the Comp Plan slated for commercial, which is a 20-25 year if ever build-out time.
From a retailers standpoint, the Randall Road Corridor is overbuilt and big box developments are not willing to build in the area. Caton noted that demographics and population need to change. North Aurora has an occupancy level of 69%.
Trustee Carroll said he liked the plan and felt it was a good fit for the parcel and will bring an additional 575 people to the Village who will be paying taxes and purchasing items in North Aurora. Trustees Guethle and Lowery were also in agreement. Trustee Gaffino said he liked the plan as well as the detention as a buffer from the townhomes.
Mayor Berman said he was impressed with Continental’s similar property in Plainfield and added that the proposed plan for the Village of North Aurora will be an asset to the community.
Marcia Watkins of the Waterford Oaks Subdivision said that on behalf of the Homeowners Association, that they wholeheartedly support the plan.
3. Discussion of Branding Guidelines, Logo and Tagline
Steve Bosco provided the final rendering of the new Village logo. The formal adoption of the logo will take place at the June 15th meeting. The website is slated to change over on June 16th, assuming it is approved on the 15th. That is the day the Village will launch “northaurora.org”.
4. Discussion of a Potential Community Building/Space for North Aurora
There was a goal out of the strategic plan last year to discuss whether there should be a future location for an activity center.
Previous to the meeting, Steve Bosco had asked the trustees for answers to the following questions:
Do you believe there is a need to provide a building for community use? – Majority said yes.
What type of uses do you envision? Room for community events, community meeting space, multipurpose room, gymnasium, kitchen, programs for seniors, potential home for Friday Nite Spot and use for civic groups.
Do you believe the Village should consider providing a building for community use in North Aurora? Majority said yes. Couple of comments mentioned: If the Village pursues a building of its own, make sure there are programs and activities that are scheduled enough to keep the building used at all times.
Would you consider partnering with any municipal entities? If the Village were to partner with another entity, the Village should retain some ownership of the program.
Would you consider a company to perform a needs assessment? Majority said they were interested in doing a study. Some requested seeing the pricing first before approving the study. Bosco noted that there is money in the budget for this specific study.
Trustee Carroll said he wants this to be a Village building maintained by the Village and not by the park district. Bosco confirmed that it would be a Village building.
The Village Board suggested moving forward with a cost analysis and feasibility study.
TRUSTEE COMMENTS – None
EXECUTIVE SESSION
1. Review of Executive Session Minutes dated 4/20/15 and 5/18/15
(There was no executive session due to no changes on the executive session minutes of 4/20 and 5/18. Minutes will be placed on the Consent Agenda for the June 15th Village Board meeting).
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Gaffino. All in favor. Motion approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori J. Murray
Village Clerk
