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Committee replaces sidewalk requirement with fee-in-lieu for 1125 Aurora Ave final-plan revision
Summary
The committee approved a final-plan revision for 1125 Aurora Ave that removes a condition requiring a 5-foot sidewalk along Route 25 frontage and replaces it with a fee-in-lieu to be held by the city until IDOT-coordinated intersection improvements can include needed sidewalks.
The Building Zoning and Economic Development Committee approved resolution 25-0579 to modify a condition on the May 2024 final plan for 1125 Aurora Ave. Under the approved change, the petitioner will pay a fee in lieu of constructing a 5-foot sidewalk along the Route 25 (Aurora Avenue) frontage; the city will hold those funds and apply them to intersection or sidewalk improvements when the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) programs work at that location.
Steven Bravo, planner in the City of Aurora zoning division, told the committee that IDOT determined adding the sidewalk now is not required and could trigger substantial intersection and interchange improvements that would likely force removal and replacement of any sidewalk built at this time. Bravo said engineering staff determined a fee in lieu is more cost-effective and allows the city to coordinate with IDOT for a future, comprehensive improvement. "If we get a fee in lieu... we would take that money, put it aside and then when IDOT is looking to do the intersection improvements... we would use that money toward that improvement," he said.
Committee members sought clarification on who would pay the fee and on the timing of improvements; staff confirmed the developer will pay the fee and that IDOT is not currently scheduling improvements at the intersection, so there is no set timeline for construction. The site was previously approved in May 2024 for redevelopment as a gas station with two retail spaces and a drive-through restaurant.
A motion to approve the final-plan revision and accept a fee in lieu was made, seconded, and the committee voted to approve the change. Staff noted Alderman Seville had been briefed and supports the fee-in-lieu approach.
