Orchard Gateway widening will require sign-setback text amendment for two dealership corners

Village staff and trustees discussed April 7 how the Orchard Gateway Road project’s roadway widening and signalization will affect auto-dealer signage near Hansen and Orchard Gateway.

Nathan, a village staff member, said the North Aurora sign code contains a special North Aurora Auto Mall signage district that governs dealership signs but defaults to a five-foot setback where the special district does not specify a setback. "The new right of way line comes within 1 foot of the Kia sign," Nathan said, and the change would similarly affect the Dodge/Jeep/Ram sign on the opposite corner. He said there is no vision-triangle safety concern because the intersection will be signalized and the right-of-way acquisition is a wide corner clip.

Staff recommended a text amendment to the auto-mall signage district that would allow a one-foot setback at the two corner locations (Hansen and Orchard Gateway) so the existing signs could be made legal without relocating them. Steve and trustees expressed general support; trustees said the proposal "looks good". Staff said the amendment will return for a final vote at a future meeting.

Why it matters: the Orchard Gateway project is a multi-million-dollar road project with a large federal grant; the village plans to use a larger portion of motor fuel tax (MFT) funds this year to match timing and funding rules. The chosen remedy — a narrowly tailored text amendment for two corner locations within the Auto Mall signage district — would maintain existing signage while accommodating the new curb line and signal infrastructure.

Next steps: staff will draft the text amendment and bring it back for a final vote at the next meeting.