North Aurora sets business moratorium

North Aurora wants more time to figure out where some types of businesses belong in the community.

The village board this week approved a moratorium on certain types of businesses as it prepares to rework a zoning code that many trustees feel is out of date, officials said.

"This (moratorium) gives us a chance to address concerns that were in a very old ordinance," Village Administrator Sue McLaughlin said.

"The moratorium gives us time to think things over," Trustee Linda Mitchell said.

The moratorium can run for up to six months and restricts 35 uses, including churches, tobacco shops, service stations and taverns, Community Development Director Scott Buening said.

The purpose of the moratorium is to act as a "stop-gap" toward any business that is not harmonious with its neighbors from entering the village before the zoning code is updated later this year Buening said.

Mitchell said the moratorium should not be extended because it could hurt commercial growth in the village.

Trustee Mark Gaffino agreed with Mitchell, saying the village does not want to send a message it is against commercial growth.

Three key areas village officials will look at as it revamps its zoning code are 24-hour businesses, big-boxes -- or businesses of more than 100,000 square feet -- and tall buildings, Buening said. Currently, the village places no restrictions on those businesses.

The effect of having no control could be a big-box moving in next to residential areas, a situation similar to a controversial proposal last year that would have put a Wal-Mart Supercenter within 200 feet of a townhouse development.

Trustee Max Herwig said last month he would like it if both 24-hour and big-box businesses are special uses requiring board approval.