Aurora committee backs Orchards Crossing rezoning despite opposition to proposed Kwik Trip

The City of Aurora Planning, Zoning and Development Committee on Nov. 26 voted to recommend approval of the Orchards Crossing plan description, a rezoning and plan‑of‑development that would convert a long‑vacant parcel along Orchard Road into a mixed‑use project with residential townhomes, retail pads and a convenience store with fuel pumps.

The committee’s recommendation allows the Kwik Trip fuel/convenience store as a conditional use in the plan description even though staff had recommended prohibiting a fuel center to align with the city’s sustainability goals. Jill Morgan, the city’s senior planner, summarized the project as roughly 10 acres of residential, 11 acres of commercial and 8.3 acres of stormwater detention and said staff’s recommendation was to approve the plan description while prohibiting a fuel center.

The planning commission, however, unanimously recommended approval with the gas station permitted. John Curley, the city’s chief…