Development

Aurora's Development Services Department works to coordinate the efforts of the various city divisions involved in bringing development and public works projects to life.

About Development Services

The Development Services Department operates as the central coordinator of all development within the City of Aurora. It assists in the coordination and cooperation among various city departments to achieve common development goals and implements plans and policies established by the Mayor and City Council.

Quick Links

Recent Code of Ordinances Development Related Updates

The Zoning and Planning Division has been working to expand and update the Definitions section of the Zoning Ordinance. Staff has identified that several use categories and other key terms are either undefined or lack sufficient clarity and we have been working on adding or updating these definitions. Specifically, this text amendment defines the differences between manufactured homes and modular homes. It also defines direct sales and mail order as a home occupation, specifically providing examples of those type of uses and clarifying uses that are excluded. For full details, please review Ordinance O26-053 that is available here.

Mission

  • Provide support and oversight to the Planning & Zoning, Building & Permits, Property Standards, and other major functions of economic development.
  • Provide support to the Mayor and City Council for projects and programs important to the community.
  • Facilitate interaction among divisions involved in the development process.
  • Provide decision making and oversight to the many and varied public infrastructure projects.

2022 Major Accomplishments

  • Maintained a better than 40% on-line rental housing licensing renewal rate while incorporating more self-service data entry for a more efficient system.
  • Maintained the best ranking in the State Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule for residential and commercial classifications per the Insurance Service Organization (ISO).
  • Opened Hobbs, Lofts on Broadway (formerly Hotel Arthur), BloomHaven (former Copley Hospital), & Fox Valley Apartments
  • Adopted Humane Pet Sales regulations
  • Resumed post-pandemic interior inspections program for Residential Rental Properties
  • Aurora was sought out for Several national presentations on International Existing Building Codes studies and our redevelopment incentive programs.
  • Entitlements for East Bank (DAC), Lincoln/Todd Schools, Storage of America.
  • Obtained 3 million in State Grants for Broadway Restoration

2021 Major Accomplishments

  • Implemented a FREE city-wide Business Registration program
  • Achieved a 42% on-line rental housing licensing renewal rate.
  • Maintained the best ranking in the State Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule for residential and commercial classifications per the Insurance Service Organization (ISO).
  • Updated the Signage Ordinance to conform with the constitution
  • Expanded the RERZ – River Edge Redevelopment Zone
  • Expanded On-Line Permit offerings
  • RDAs completed for East Bank (DAC), Pacific Square

2020 Major Accomplishments

  • Implemented the TRAKiT enterprise resource platform (ERP) system for development and license processing.
  • Implemented a process to track projects from economic development prospecting through the issuance of certificates of occupancy.
  • Implemented department-wide customer satisfaction surveys.
  • Updated the Municipal Code with regard to animal control, signage and zoning.
  • Expanded Love-A-Bull Spay/Neuter program to 100 dogs.
  • Maintained the best ranking in the State Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule for residential and commercial classifications per the Insurance Service Organization (ISO).
  • Expanded the reach of our Moment of Service Transparency Satisfaction surveys (MOST)

2019 Major Accomplishments

  • Approved RDAs with more than 100 new residential units and 5 restaurants in Downtown; Plus 152 residential units at the former Copley Hospital.
  • Completed the Route 59 Comprehensive Plan Revision
  • Assisted the Director of Development Strategy & Facilitation to update the boundary agreements with neighboring municipalities.
  • Implemented the ERP system for all development-related departments/divisions in the city.
  • Reduced the development cycle timeline.
  • Worked with Animal Control to improve the Division’s cost recovery rate.
  • Streamlined the permit process to provide over the counter zoning related permits.
  • Completed a comparison study and streamlined the zoning entitlement process per the consultant’s findings and industry standards
  • Developed a free spay/neuter program for pit bull-type dogs owned by Aurora Residents.
  • Re-organized the Customer facing Customer Service Representatives on the first floor of DSC to now report to the department in lieu of the two divisions separately.
  • Maintained the best ranking in the State Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule for residential and commercial classifications per the Insurance Service Organization (ISO).
  • Reimplemented a Historic Preservation Grant Program

2018 Major Accomplishments

  • Executed RDA for Pacifica Square at former Yorkshire Plaza.
  • Implemented the reorganized Economic Development Division’s delivery of service.
  • Researched and implemented ordinance and/or comprehensive plan revisions within the realm of the Zoning & Planning, Building & Permits, Property Standards, and Animal Control Divisions to improve the residents’ quality of life.
  • Facilitated the opening of a new multi-family residential buildings in the downtown.
  • Developed a new urban wildlife response policy in line with industry standards.
  • Maintained the best ranking in the State Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule for residential and commercial classifications per the Insurance Service Organization (ISO).
  • Consolidated the FoxWalk Design Review Committee and the Riverwalk Commission
  • Received Metropolitan Mayor’s Caucus and Sol-Smart National GOLD designation for our solar-friendly development processes
  • Implemented adoption and local amendments for the 2015 I series Codes.
  • Adopted the Lodging house standards to address safety and neighborhood concerns with this type of 1 & 2 Family structure use

2017 Major Accomplishments

  • Assisted Invest Aurora with redevelopment agreements for three major buildings in the downtown. (Linked to the city's strategic plan)
  • Facilitated the construction of the remaining 30,000 square foot building to complete the expansion of the Chicago Premium Outlets. (Linked to the city's strategic plan)
  • Finalized the inspection of the multi-family development at Station Boulevard for the issuance of occupancy permits.
  • Lobbied for the extension of the Illinois Historic Preservation Tax
  • Credit Program for the River Edge Redevelopment Zone. (Linked to the city's strategic plan)
  • Researched and promoted new programs and processes to increase customer service to the development community. (Linked to the city's strategic plan)
  • Assisted in the sale of the ballfields located at the airport.

2016 Major Accomplishments

  • Updated the Seize the Future master plan for the downtown area.
  • Assisted in the development process resulting in the re-use of several key downtown buildings.
  • Developed a revitalization plan for the Route 59 retail corridor in conjunction with the State Route 59 widening project north of New York.
  • Developed a revitalization plan for the Lake Street corridor.

Contact Us

Phone

630-256-3130

Fax

630-256-3109

Location

77 S. Broadway, 1st Floor
Aurora, IL
60505
View Map

Hours

Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Mailing Address

44 E Downer Place
Aurora, IL 60507

In This Section

Personnel

Development Services Staff

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