North Aurora trustees open to building warehouses on golf course

North Aurora trustees gave a development company a 'thumbs-up' to continue making plans to build warehouses where a golf course stands.

They are willing to consider selling few acres of wetlands west of Valley Green Golf Course, 314 Kingswood Drive, so a road or private drive could be built for the three buildings proposed. The access would be off Poplar Place.

A representative of Pizzuti Development said that was crucial to know before it invested any more time or money in making plans. The connection will make it possible for semitrailer trucks to access the property from both directions of Route 31. Otherwise the only other opening to the development, which also includes land east of the golf course, would be restricted to right turns in and out.

That's not good, the representative said, given that they expect the trucks to come from and return to I-88, which is south of the site.

Trustee Mike Lowery was worried about the appearance of a 300,000-square-foot warehouse building on Route 31, saying he had campaigned for office on a promise to beautify Route 31. Even so, he acknowledged it could be a positive for the village. Trustee Laura Curtis said there is a "mishmash" of offices, gas stations, stores and housing on Route 31, and that a well-designed warehouse park, with a minimum required landscaping setback of 50 feet, could go a long way to improving the looks of Route 31. Trustee Mark Gaffino agreed, and said the area he thinks really needs beautifying is farther north.

Lowery also said he is concerned about residents who live north of the golf course. Even though a wide ComEd easement separates them from the course, the prospect of hearing trucks backing up and seeing loading docks likely won't be popular, according to Trustee Chris Faber.

"Nobody is going to be happy about losing their view of the golf course in their backyards, but they live under the high (-voltage) lines already," Faber said. " ... Just show us you are going to tree and berm the hell out of it."

Monday's discussion was about the concept. If the developer proceeds, it would need the village to rezone the land. It would also have to present a formal site plan, landscaping plan, and details about how it would handle stormwater runoff, among other things.

A public hearing would also be required.