N. Aurora weighs zoning change

The undeveloped northeast corner of Oak Street and Orchard Road in North Aurora has been the subject of controversy over the last year, but developers and residents said Monday they are hoping for a good fit.

Meanwhile, the village will look at updating its zoning codes to help determine what can go at the corner.

Last year, North Aurora rejected a Wal-Mart Supercenter at the corner, and now owners Location Finders International is asking to annex the land to make the property more enticing to prospective buyers.

LFI is seeking to change the land, currently zoned in Kane County for agricultural uses, to allow for business uses, said LFI attorney Robert Kenny. Having an annexation agreement in place would send a clear message that the village wants commercial at the corner, he said.

Although LFI and the village are working on an annexation agreement, the property would not annex to the village until a user is ready to come to town, Kenny said.

Trustees expressed doubts about allowing the business zoning. Trustees Max Herwig and Bob Strusz said what can, and cannot, go on the corner needs to be clarified.

Board members said they would review the zoning code. Any changes -- if completed before the property annexes -- would apply to Oak and Orchard.

LFI Director of Acquisitions Michael Mills said the village needs to clearly state what it wants in its business zoning.

"We have been marketing the property for 11 months with no inquiries. If (the village) doesn't like what is in its zoning, please don't take this out on the petitioners. We need this parcel to be marketable," Mills said.

He added that the market will probably not allow LFI to bring a commercial project to the village until 2009 or 2010.

Brian O'Connor, attorney for the citizens group North Aurora Together -- which opposed the Wal-Mart -- said his group wants a commercial development at the property. However, the group would like that business to complement other businesses and be kind to residential neighbors.

"Communications this time are tremendously better," O'Connor said.

Discussion of the annexation agreement will continue at next Monday's board meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. at village hall.