The FoxWalk Overlay District Design Guidelines Regulations and Procedures Aurora, Illinois 2008 Edition The FoxWalk Overlay District Design Guidelines-Regulations and Procedures Forward to the Revised Edition, 2008 Beginning in 1974, the City of Aurora, in collaboration with a succession of expert consultants, set out to draft a series of plans and regulations to guide the redevelopment of downtown Aurora. These documents laid the foundation for efforts that have been implemented over the past 30+ years, including: • the creation of the FoxWalk Overlay District, encompassing the Downtown Core and Downtown Fringe zoning districts; • design guidelines for the restoration of existing structures; • principles to inform the architecture of new buildings; and • specifications for the Riverwalk, a two-tiered walkway to be built around Stolp Island and along the east and west banks of the Fox River, named “the FoxWalk” in 1992 by local schoolchildren. The first volunteers were appointed to the Riverwalk Commission (1989) and the FoxWalk Overlay District Design Review Committee (1993) by Mayor David L. Pierce to oversee construction of the public walkway system along the Fox River and development within the DC/DF zoning districts. Looking backward from our current vantage point, it is clear that these plans and the people who helped formulate them served the redevelopment of downtown Aurora well. Over 1100 Certificates of Appropriateness have been issued since the creation of the original design guidelines and the Design Review Committee. Construction permits valued at over $103 million have been issued within the boundaries of the FoxWalk District since January 1, 1993. Substantial sections of the FoxWalk/Riverwalk have been built. During 2006 and 2007, the City Council approved a number of documents and actions intended to direct future development of the Fox River corridor – both within the FoxWalk Overlay District, and extending to the “bookends” of downtown, i.e., North Avenue and Illinois Avenue: 9 adoption of the Seize the Future Master Plan (June, 2006) 9 adoption of the Aurora Riverfront Vision Plan (June, 2006) 9 adoption of the Revised FoxWalk/Riverwalk Master Plan (September, 2007) 9 adoption of the Master Plan for RiverEdge Park (September, 2007) 9 demolition of an entire city block (14 buildings) bounded by Downer Place, River Street, and Galena Boulevard to accommodate a new downtown campus for Waubonsee Community College (September, 2007) In keeping with the spirit of what has been accomplished already and what is envisioned for the future, it is appropriate that we revisit our architectural design guidelines and implementation strategies. This revised edition of the FoxWalk Design Guidelines, Regulations and Procedures is based on our collective experience over the past 15 years. It is intended to provide page 1 4/22/2008 The FoxWalk Overlay District Design Guidelines-Regulations and Procedures clarification, while leading the way to continued, sensitive redevelopment of downtown Aurora. It is our hope that collaboration among developers, citizen volunteers, elected officials, and staff will result in restoration projects and new development that reflect the highest standards of design and execution – and in which future Aurorans will take great pride. The FoxWalk Overlay District Design Review Committee Don Truax, Chair Michael E. Beilman John Jaros Hal Beebee William Marzano Clara Diaz Kevin Ream Janice Hill Bob Reuland Mike Holmes Charlie Zine The Aurora Riverwalk Commission Alderman Mike Saville, Chair Ed Barsotti Mike Holmes Manny Maysonet Jeff Palmquist Bob Reuland John Savage John Sullivan Charlie Zine David Zine City of Aurora Elected Officials Mayor Thomas J. Weisner Alderman Abby Schuler (Ward 1) Alderman Juany Garza (Ward 2) Alderman Stephanie Kifowit (Ward 3) Alderman Rick Lawrence (Ward 4) Alderman John “Whitey” Peters (Ward 5) Alderman Michael B. Saville (Ward 6) Alderman Scheketa Hart-Burns (Ward 7) Alderman Chris Beykirch (Ward 8) Alderman Leroy Keith (Ward 9) Alderman Lynda Elmore (Ward 10) Alderman Bob O’Connor (at-large) Alderman Richard Irvin (at-large) City of Aurora Staff: Karen F. Christensen, Downtown Development Director/Riverwalk Administrator Linda Chomiak, Administrative Aide page 2 4/22/2008 Tlte FnxWa/1.. 01•erlay District Design Guitieliues-Regulatinm and Prncetlmes FOXWALK OVERLAY DISTRICT DESIGN GUIDELINES, REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES 2008 Edition TABLE OF CONTENTS Section 1. General Information 1.1 Title ......................................................................................................5 1.2 Resolutions and Ordinances........................................................................ 5 1.3 Maps A. Boundaries/Zoning Map............................................................... 7 B. District Map by Blocks ................................................................. 8 C. Topography .............................................................................. 9 D. Floodplain ............................................................................... lO 1.4 Legal Description .................................................................................... 11 1.5 Zoning Classification and Information .............. ........................ ..................... 12 1.6 Definitions........................................................................................... 14 1. 7 History and Character of the District............................................................ 22 1.8 Purpose and Goals of the District. ............................................................... 24 1.9 Land Use Survey ....................................................................................27 Section 2. Design Guidelines and Regulations for Alterations to Existing Structures 2.1 Purpose and Goals ...................................................................................36 2.2 Building Program ........... ........................ ....... ... ... ... ..................... .. .......... 36 2.3 Ground Floor Use .................................................................................... 37 2.4 Building Exteriors: Materials, Scale and Detail ................................................37 2.5 Maintenance of Building Exteriors .............................................................. .40 2.6 Alterations to Building Exteriors ........................................................ ... ...... 42 2.7 AdaptiveRe-Use of Buildings Adjacent to the FoxWalk!Riverwalk................... .. .43 Section 3. Design Guidelines and Regulations for New Construction 3.1 Purpose and Goals .................................................................................. .. 45 3.2 New Building Fa~ade Design ..... .... ........................ ........ .... ........ .... ...............45 3.3 Site Development Location ......................................................................... 47 3.4 Service Areas ........................................................................................ 47 3.5 Building Height/Massing ......................................................................... 48 3.6 RoofDesign ......................................................................... ............... .49 3.7 Building Exteriors: Materials, Scale and Detail. .............................................. 49 page 3 4122/2008 Tire Fox Walk Overlay District De.'>ign Guiclelines-Re~ulatiom a11d Prncetlures Section 4. Commercial Signage Regulations 4.1 General Provisions .......................................................................... 50 4.2 Prohjbited Signage ......................................................................... 50 4.3 No Certificate of Appropriateness Required ............................................. 50 4.4 Certificate of Appropriateness and Sign Permit Required ............................. 52 4.5 Sign Lighting .................................................................................57 4.6 Historic Signage. .............................................................................58 4.7 Modifications from Signage Provisions ...................................................59 4.8 Non-Conforming Signage .................................................................. 59 4.9 Off-Premises Commercial Signage ........................................................ 59 Section 5. Administrative Provisions 5.1 Design Review Committee ............................................................... .60 5.2 Procedures: Certificates of Appropriateness ............................................61 Section 6. Accomplishments: Implementation of the Perkins & Will Concepts 6.1 FoxWalk!Riverwalk and Public Amenities ...............................................65 6.2 Policies and Programs.................................................................. .. 68 Section 7. Next Steps 7.1 Perkins & Will Recommendations Yet to Be Accomplished .......................... 70 Section 8. Specifications for Public Improvements 8.1 Street Furlliture and Signage .......................................................... ...... 71 8.2 Sidewalks and Paving ....................................................................... .. 71 8.3 Bridge Maintenance and Restoration .......................................................72 Section 9. Aurora FoxWalk!Riverwalk- The Revised Master Plan ............. 73 page 4 4122/2008 Tire Fox Walk Overlay District De.'>ign Guiclelines-Re~ulatiom a11d Prncetlures Section 1. General Information