Meeting report · Building, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee
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Building, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee — May 27, 2026
The meeting was characterized by active scrutiny of developer plans, particularly regarding infrastructure and community amenities, rather than outright conflict.
Public impact
Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01
Kingsley Row Townhome Development
A 185-unit residential development requiring rezoning and significant roadway infrastructure improvements. Affected: Local residents near Ogden Avenue and 75th Street
zoning change
Decisions logged
Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Approval of the minutes from the April 29, 2026, meeting.
Motion by Alderwoman Smith, seconded by Alderwoman Garza.
4-0
Ordinance 25-1-0-4-1 (Tortilleria El Rey Conditional Use) and Resolution 25-1-0-4-2 (Final Plan).
Motion by Alderwoman Smith for the first item, seconded by Alderman Bañuelos for the second.
4-0
Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an inter-agency agreement with the State of Illinois Division of Aeronautics for aviation fuel tax funds.
Motion by a speaker, seconded by Alderwoman Smith and Alderwoman Garza.
Passed (unanimous)
Topics discussed
Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
▶ 00:20 Approval of Minutes
The committee reviewed and approved the minutes from the BZNE committee meeting held on April 29, 2026.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 01:29 Tortilleria El Rey Development Plan
Discussion regarding a conditional use and final plan for a food and textile production facility (tortillas and chips) at 1955 East New York Street, including parking improvements and local hiring plans.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 07:49 Kingsley Row Townhome Development
A proposal by M/I Homes for a 185-unit townhome development east of Ogden Avenue and 75th Street, involving rezoning and infrastructure improvements like the Commons Drive extension.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 57:49 Aurora Municipal Airport Aviation Fuel Tax Funds
A resolution to authorize the Mayor to enter an inter-agency agreement with the State of Illinois to receive approximately $800,000 in aviation fuel tax funds.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
Controversy & dissent
Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.
Potentially controversial issues
01
Kingsley Row Townhome Development
The project involves significant rezoning and infrastructure changes. Key points of contention include the adequacy of recreational open space for potential child residents and the impact of traffic/roadway improvements on the local area.
Board position: The board signaled a cautious approach, ultimately choosing to hold the items to allow for further developer revisions regarding open space and development agreements.
medium concern
02
Tortilleria El Rey Development Plan
Concerns were raised regarding local economic impact—specifically whether the facility would hire residents from Aurora or bring in workers from Chicago.
Board position: The board approved the plan after receiving assurances regarding local hiring.
low concern
Community vs. board tension
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Action items
Who owes what, by when.
Re-evaluate open space/green space options (e.g., gazebo, pergola, or park benches) to accommodate potential child residents and provide a response to the committee.
Assigned: M/I Homes (Attorney) · Due: Next BZNE meeting (approx. 2 weeks)
Prepare a draft development agreement for the city.
Assigned: M/I Homes (Attorney) · Due: Next BZNE meeting (approx. 2 weeks)
Hold Kingsley Row items (26-0334 and 26-0335) for the next meeting to allow for development agreement review and open space clarifications.
Assigned: Staff/Committee · Due: Next scheduled meeting
Notable statements
We're gonna hire locals... for starters, at least twenty-five. — Anthony Galdi (Petitioner) · Responding to concerns about whether employees would be brought from Chicago or hired locally. ▶ 05:34
Our request of you is Zero. This important public improvement... is being undertaken and funded, 100 percent by the private developer. — Russ Whitaker (M/I Homes) · Highlighting that the developer will fund the Commons Drive extension/improvements rather than using city funds. ▶ 31:00
I do know it's gonna generate kids... so maybe expand upon what you can do to cover that. — Alderman Javier Bañuelos · Expressing concern regarding the lack of dedicated recreational open space in the townhome plan. ▶ 51:58
Member positions
4 issues · 0 explicit · 6 inferred
Michael Saville
Present
Chair
Approval of Minutes
YES
~
Tortilleria El Rey Development Plan
YES
~
Aurora Municipal Airport Aviation Fuel Tax Funds
YES
~
Patty Smith
Present
Vice Chair
Approval of Minutes
YES
✓
Tortilleria El Rey Development Plan
YES
✓
Aurora Municipal Airport Aviation Fuel Tax Funds
YES
✓
Juany Garza
Present
Member
Approval of Minutes
YES
✓
Tortilleria El Rey Development Plan
YES
~
Kingsley Row Townhome Development
✓
Expressed concern regarding lack of usable green space/amenities for families.
Aurora Municipal Airport Aviation Fuel Tax Funds
YES
✓
Javier Bañuelos
Present
Member
Tortilleria El Rey Development Plan
YES
✓
Kingsley Row Townhome Development
✓
Expressed concern about providing recreational space for potential child residents.
Will F. White
Present
Member
Approval of Minutes
YES
~
Tortilleria El Rey Development Plan
YES
~
Aurora Municipal Airport Aviation Fuel Tax Funds
YES
~
Positions marked ~ are inferred from context and may not reflect the member's explicitly stated position.
Public comment
What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
6
Total speakers
3
Addressed
2
Partial
1
Not addressed
Patty Smith (Alderman)
Addressed
She inquired about the jurisdiction over traffic lights and turning lanes on 75th Street given the planned work on Commons Drive. She also questioned the unusually long length of the staff report.
Key concern
Traffic infrastructure jurisdiction and the length of the staff report.
Board responseStaff explained that the Department of Transportation would have jurisdiction and that the report was long due to the complexity of the rezoning and roadway details.
Staff provided direct answers to both the jurisdictional question and the reasoning behind the report's length.
null
Addressed
The speaker (identified in context as an Alderman) asked about the typicality of the R4A zoning for townhomes and the purpose of the OS-1 conservation zoning.
Key concern
Zoning classifications and their purposes.
Board responseThe senior planner confirmed R4A is typical for townhomes and explained OS-1 is for stormwater detention.
The staff member provided immediate clarification for both zoning questions.
Russ Whitaker
Addressed
Representing MI Homes, he provided a detailed presentation on the proposed townhome development. He discussed the site history, the necessity of the project due to housing shortages, and how the developer is funding the Commons Drive improvements.
Key concern
Presenting the development proposal and addressing historical context.
Board responseThe board members asked several follow-up questions regarding pricing, traffic, and open space.
The presentation was the primary focus of the segment and was met with active engagement/questioning from the board.
Juany Garza (Alderman)
Partial
She questioned the actual amount of usable land designated as open space versus detention area. She also expressed concern that the development will generate children who will need recreational space.
Key concern
Quality and quantity of usable open space/recreation for families.
Board responseThe developer admitted they didn't have a specific calculation but agreed to look into adding amenities like gazebos or pergolas and to revisit the open space plan.
While the developer agreed to revisit the issue, they could not provide an immediate answer or specific plan during the meeting.
null
Partial
The speaker expressed concerns regarding the lack of greenery/space for children and noted that the area might not be ideal for families, despite the likelihood of generating students.
Key concern
Lack of adequate green space for families/children.
Board responseThe developer acknowledged the concern and promised to review outdoor area options.
The concern was acknowledged and a promise to review it was made, but no immediate resolution was reached.
Javier Bañuelos (Alderman)
Addressed
He asked if the first entrance on the west side of Route 34 would include a designated deceleration/turn lane.
Key concern
Traffic safety/turn lane implementation at the entrance.
Board responseThe developer stated it was not required by current calculations but would be built if mandated by IDOT.
A direct answer was provided regarding the current status and potential future requirements of the turn lane.
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Report composed by
grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-05-30.