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North Aurora panel considers zoning text change to allow small private event spaces
Summary
Staff proposed adding a "private event space" definition to North Aurora's zoning code to permit venues under 50 people in B-2 and B-3 zones, avoiding special-use review for small gatherings; trustees expressed support and the proposal was sent to the Planning Commission for review.
A staff member presented a proposed text amendment to North Aurora's zoning code on Nov. 3, 2025, to define "private event space" as a small-venue land use and allow it by right in B-2 and B-3 commercial zones. The change would distinguish small, private events from larger "banquet halls," which would remain a special-use category.
The staff member said the property across the street from the meeting site, the former Moves dance studio, has been purchased and the new owner "would like to do private event spaces in there, including everything from yoga classes, birthday parties, lectures, anything like that." He told trustees that staff drafted a definition for "private event space" capped at fewer than 50 attendees and left "banquet hall" to apply to venues above 50.
"We came up with a private events based definition of a small venue less than 50 people," the staff member said, adding that "banquet halls are a special use" because larger gatherings raise concerns about parking, live entertainment and noise. The staff explanation referenced an existing example, Sage event space on Oak Street, which staff said can handle "upwards of a 100 people," to illustrate why a separate category is needed for very small venues.
Under the proposal, private event spaces would be permitted in B-2 and B-3 districts; the staff member said the amendment was brought to the Community of the Whole on an accelerated timeline because the prospective operator is preparing to open. "So we're in a rush a little bit," the staff member said, and the amendment is scheduled for review by the Planning Commission the next day.
Trustees at the meeting expressed general support. Several trustees said they were "fine with it" and thanked staff for moving the item forward to accommodate the prospective business. No members raised formal objections during the discussion recorded in the transcript.
There was no formal vote on the zoning text amendment at the Community of the Whole meeting; the meeting concluded after a procedural motion to adjourn carried on a voice vote.
