[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5975223,"mediaKeyId","5855105-2a962ae1a98b033c37f82b5a68d8b881","parentId",5855105,"title","Aurora council approves resurfacing projects, grants and insurance rates in unanimous consent vote","audioSeconds",202,"startMs",3986000,"endMs",4188000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5855105-2a962ae1a98b033c37f82b5a68d8b881&start=3986&end=4188","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5855105-2a962ae1a98b033c37f82b5a68d8b881/thumbnail_3986000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5975223/Aurora/DuPage-County/Illinois/Aurora-council-approves-resurfacing-projects-grants-and-insurance-rates-in-unanimous-consent-vote","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975223-b38b4ec8801663a8725e88917797aa7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771090890&Signature=jnfwE1diiAT4o2QoV2Qt3lWtAyikMF3VJXYhtNHu3xc77eC1114xtd9b-Z-LAfMOS4yjyShNF-jM061jRFRIw0WmyhoMdBdnyhUlAO2M01x2~HSDivxN6gCmnVy5kUmKwTacghtaKVVt104c3~O8nJOUs8i85FgqUqAqQ-K5Dxg9ITbu2ZhIDqnIxeiNsDXvvVWXyA0E0g6SbuK~hazu-qW3bmxvUB5oeGG6n74MIYKXNp1-qLsmHG8yZVNkFdO6bMcHUCNgMxSAZcmU9pJE8bRU9W8E7yxq8Z61TrCJKUOQSr2h6vek7MEi4MZFimTxb20oHRpSnUXkqhPPejd3Mg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Aurora, IL","date","2025-09-24T12:23:35Z","article","The Aurora City Council on Sept. 23 approved a multi‑item consent agenda that included resurfacing projects, grant agreements, historic preservation funding, and insurance‑rate resolutions.

Key consent items read into the record included: a resolution authorizing a grant and an appropriation of $960,000 for the Farnsworth/2 E Ola resurfacing project (with a grant not‑to‑exceed amount of $275,341 listed in the agenda), a joint funding agreement and phase 3 construction engineering agreement for Stonebridge Boulevard with a not‑to‑exceed engineering amount of $251,247 and an appropriation of $755,000, and a combined resurfacing package for Randall/Leola/Coutts/Ellington/Keating with a phase 3 engineering not‑to‑exceed amount of $343,221 and an appropriation of $1,185,000. The consent agenda also included a change order authorization for a fire station alerting system contract, approval of the summer 2025 historic preservation grants, and approvals related to retiree health and dental insurance rates and COBRA rates for 2026.

Other consent items recorded were: authorization related to property acquisitions for the Farnsworth Pilcher Church roadway widening project, approval for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois for group health care services for 2026, approval of minutes from the Sept. 9, 2025 council meeting, and acceptance of improvements and maintenance security for the Liberty Meadows subdivision.

A motion to approve both the direct‑to‑council consent agenda and the consent agenda was made by Alderman Franco and seconded by Alderman Seville. The clerk called the roll; the result was 11 yes, 0 no and the motion carried. No council questions were recorded on the consent items prior to vote.

Ending: The council approved the consent agenda unanimously by roll call and moved on to other agenda items. The approved consent items include project appropriations, contract authorizations for engineering services, grant agreements and year‑ahead insurance rate settings for city benefit programs.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Streaming LIVE: Aurora City Council Meeting | 09-23-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved a consent agenda that included multiple resurfacing projects with associated joint funding agreements and engineering contracts, historic preservation grants, insurance rate approvals for 2026 and other routine matters in an 11–0 roll call vote.","taxTitle","Aurora, DuPage County, Illinois","taxId",2648,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5975228,"Residents and Westin Bridges ask Aurora to expand pathways to employment for neurodiverse adults",525,2783000,3308000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5855105-2a962ae1a98b033c37f82b5a68d8b881&start=2783&end=3308","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5855105-2a962ae1a98b033c37f82b5a68d8b881/thumbnail_2783000.jpg","/articles/5975228/Aurora/DuPage-County/Illinois/Residents-and-Westin-Bridges-ask-Aurora-to-expand-pathways-to-employment-for-neurodiverse-adults","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975228-90b76353e8ca51bc53b56fcb4e86b620/orig.mp4?Expires=1771090890&Signature=k6nhqRYDc10Nq0dXQNsFAoww97iUamDRTzO6nZ8pUl4VXyHqD4ctofzmWsqU1uNUO6BC5EsBrJWhvtbKVTq5xznlgwotSOFygjEWu02Emeai~OJzAVQWSv1FQWdk4Ycj1BhzhZMSSPBhjbqyeQnTD2um7OopFvyv~rM68I9tDnY6KFAqf8cCpLau6wOWuFa8G8k3aleUvb7b9dvPiDzns8bYr4Zl9hbiA3X7X4BrCdurA7dzQIYE~ihCcczoiYSOz7ns51i-3cWh4rHeoZ0F6MA36CzWxQ9Jmg55mPPY09cetNP8S1a8qI3FIm3U3JLiYbe3t~8b1EjjyHbRZgNEFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Advocates and residents from Westin Bridges told the Aurora City Council on Sept. 23 that neurodiverse adults living at the community face substantial barriers to local employment and asked the city to help create pathways to work.

Why it matters: Employment for differently‑abled adults provides income, independence and community engagement; speakers said many residents currently must search for jobs outside Aurora because suitable opportunities are not connected to them locally.

Lisa Fauver, identified by the transcript as director of outreach and networking at Westin Bridges, framed the request as an inclusion and workforce development issue. “Employment is more than just a paycheck. It provides dignity, independence, and a sense of belonging,” Fauver told the council. She said Westin Bridges opened in 2022 and provides stable housing for differently‑abled adults; residents participate in local cultural life but struggle to find paid work in Aurora.

Fauver urged partnerships among the city, local businesses and service organizations, and suggested expanding job training programs, incentivizing inclusive hiring, and creating city‑supported internships that could lead to permanent jobs. Two residents who spoke — Megan Davis and David Ogilvy — described personal experience with unsuccessful job searches in Aurora and noted the burden of longer commutes for positions they did find outside the city. Davis said she “loved working with kids” and had taken a position in Naperville because she could not find suitable local work.

Council and staff response: The council did not adopt any new program or directive during public comment. At the end of the remarks, the mayor noted Community Services Director Nicole Mullins was in the room and could follow up; staff policy announced at the start of the public comment period also directs staff to follow up with people who raise concerns within the scope of the city's authority.

Discussion versus decision: The speakers presented concerns and recommendations (discussion). There was no council motion or formal action recorded on employment programs at the meeting (no decision). Staff offered a follow‑up contact for residents.

Ending: Advocates asked the city to treat inclusive hiring as a workforce and equity priority; staff indicated they will connect residents with city services and the community services department after the meeting.","Speakers representing Westin Bridges urged the council to help neurodiverse adults secure jobs in Aurora, proposing training, incentives and city‑supported internships; staff offered to follow up with residents after the meeting.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5975233,"Aurora staff proposes 180-day moratorium on data centers and warehouses to study noise, energy and environmental impacts",264,1094000,1358000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5855105-2a962ae1a98b033c37f82b5a68d8b881&start=1094&end=1358","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5855105-2a962ae1a98b033c37f82b5a68d8b881/thumbnail_1094000.jpg","/articles/5975233/Aurora/DuPage-County/Illinois/Aurora-staff-proposes-180-day-moratorium-on-data-centers-and-warehouses-to-study-noise-energy-and-environmental-impacts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975233-61883f278f66d3d7ac83ebc443989e91/orig.mp4?Expires=1771090890&Signature=kNGa9T88-Y~HDLtCLOUM~jOvAYHwcZ1CaesaVHXVJxsGHrFhR47600jT-u8M88X3nssCgFXQ1lKByj3pl0YKXNZ6i~HRqPqnxsQhrSfzUMmrDVebdEbMp8KLe~etJu1wwuTs5~-L-fzWpWNn6m6nz-8XjZn7Hxuo07RJOgH8XdCpLUkZV5MdjAcjFBRaln~rrNliepA678TuJri-UFna5e0g2aEWiv2XzvcOAwHbphgn05t9fPymEo-f8zxV6XTeen8sqx5hG52fYgbqI7mw9vxAvWx48ny9Zymxsm7pxuXJMdkbGdwcxxoI7Yyu~FP0T~g2zx7X-Gj~hxJycfzECA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented a proposal to the Aurora City Council on Sept. 23 to impose a 180‑day moratorium on new data center and warehouse approvals so the city can study community and environmental impacts and craft new regulations. The presentation was given by John Curley, chief development services officer, and Lisonbee Lindberg, director of sustainability.

Why it matters: Residents have filed complaints about ongoing noise and generator testing at existing facilities, and staff said rapid increases in data center interest require updated zoning and operational rules. Staff and several aldermen said the moratorium period would give the city time to research best practices used elsewhere and draft regulations that address noise, traffic, energy demand, water use and air quality.

Staff outlined the issue and the proposed moratorium during the mayor's report. “We are seeing an increased number of data centers and warehouse development requests,” Lindberg said in presenting the item. Under current Aurora zoning, staff said, data centers are treated as a subtype of “warehouse distribution and storage service facility” and are permitted in a range of industrial districts and some planned developments. Staff told council members they want time to separate data centers from the general warehouse category and adopt distinct requirements.

City staff identified two categories of impacts they plan to study: community impacts (noise, traffic and higher electricity use) and environmental impacts (water use, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions). Lindberg described noise as a recurring complaint: “The constant noise that's occurring at data centers is the cooling systems,” and she noted neighbors have also reported noise and vibration during emergency generator testing. On energy, staff cited estimates that data center electricity demand is rising nationally and noted single buildings can draw tens of megawatts at peak.

Staff proposed the moratorium last week to allow formation of a working group that would include internal and external partners, conduct technical study, and return to council with recommendations. The draft moratorium described a 180‑day pause with a possible 30‑day extension, a 90‑day preliminary report to council, hardship exceptions (described in the posted agenda’s Section 8), and a conditional processing option that would allow applicants to submit materials but require compliance with any new rules adopted after the moratorium. Lindberg summarized those elements and told council the ordinance language includes a hardship test and limited exceptions.

Council members asked staff for regional coordination and more detail about impacts and timing. Alderman Nunez asked, “How close are we following the development over there, and what are some initial findings that we've taken away from that?” Staff said the city is working with neighboring municipalities and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus to take a regional approach but has not yet drawn firm conclusions from nearby cases. Alderman Bade said temporary moratoria are a tool the city has used before to allow ordinances to catch up with development trends and called the request reasonable.

Staff emphasized there was no final council vote on the moratorium at the Sept. 23 meeting. Instead, they said the council would consider the ordinance at a special council meeting later in the week; staff also announced a Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing scheduled for the following day. Staff committed to return preliminary findings to council in 90 days and to bring formal recommendations for any ordinance changes.

Discussion versus decision: Staff described the proposed moratorium and the technical reasons for it (discussion and direction). The council did not adopt the moratorium at this meeting; staff said a special meeting is scheduled to consider formal action (no formal action recorded at this meeting).

Next steps: staff will convene a working group, study noise/energy/water/traffic/land‑use issues, present preliminary findings to council at 90 days, and return with recommended ordinance language for council consideration. The Planning & Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing before council action. Staff also encouraged aldermen to submit questions to staff ahead of the special meeting.

Ending: The city framed the moratorium as a temporary pause to allow research and stakeholder engagement. If council adopts the moratorium, staff said it will include hardship provisions and conditional processing to reduce impacts on applicants already deep in the approval process.","City staff told the Aurora City Council they will ask the council to adopt a 180‑day moratorium (with a possible 30‑day extension) on new data center and warehouse approvals so staff can study noise, traffic, energy, water and air impacts and return recommendations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Aurora council approves resurfacing projects, grants and insurance rates in unanimous consent vote

Residents and Westin Bridges ask Aurora to expand pathways to employment for neurodiverse adults

Aurora staff proposes 180-day moratorium on data centers and warehouses to study noise, energy and environmental impacts