Aurora residents who live behind the proposed site for a Burger King on Farnsworth Avenue near Molitor Road, expressed concern at the Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting Tuesday.
Jim and Linda Wrona are two of several residents who are opposed to the vacant lot being developed for the restaurant. Concerns include flooding, noise, and the constant smoke from the grill. City staff members have been working with the developer, Agree Realty Corporation, to address the residents’ concerns. There were 183 signatures collected to prevent approval of the restaurant. Changes proposed include altering the front yard setback from 30 to 13 feet to allow more distance from the building to the homes; increasing the size of the culvert and encapsulating all drain water to the Farnsworth Avenue drainage system; an exhaust filter to reduce grilled burger smoke; landscaping; and a fence.
Alderman-at-large, Sherman Jenkins said, “They (the developer) have gone out of their way to be a good corporate citizen.”
The property now meets all requirements and can now proceed.
• Considered was a resolution to seek Kane County Riverboat Fund grant assistance to return the Sentry Statue to its post on top of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Memorial Museum on Downer Place. City officials are requesting approval to apply for a Kane County Grand Victoria Riverboat Fund grant in the amount of $33,000, to assist in ultimately returning the Sentry Statue to the top of Aurora’s historic GAR Museum.
The Sentry Statue stood on top of the GAR building from its opening in 1878 until 2008, when the Statue was taken down during repair of the GAR Museum roof. After 130 years, the Statue was in poor condition, and actually broke apart during the removal process. Today, the GAR Memorial Museum and the GAR Memorial Commission, sub-divisions of the Innovation and Core Services Department, are working to recreate the Sentry Statue and ultimately have it returned to the roof. The project temporarily will involve repairing the original Sentry Statue, and putting it in a place of prominence inside the GAR Museum until more funds are secured to elevate it to the roof.
The Sentry Statue project is an important piece of the overall restoration of the GAR Museum. The Sentry was in the plans for the GAR Post 20 Hall from the very beginning. The symbolism to the men and women who designed the GAR Hall was clear. It was a memorial to the common soldier who did his duty at the front lines and perhaps gave his life to preserve and protect our Nation. In 2017, the City was awarded a $2,700 grant from the Kane County Grand Victoria Riverboat fund to assist in the Sentry Statue project. The GAR Memorial Commission had applied to another local funding source for the majority of the needed funding. That request was denied. It left the project short of funds.
The GAR Museum has received rough estimates from three companies which specialize in restoration of historic sculptures and artifacts. The average estimate for the work to create a new, bronze Sentry Statue and install it on the top of the GAR Museum was $48,000. The city government of Aurora Community Services Division has designated $6,000 toward the project.
• Considered was a resolution to purchase 24 tactical ballistic vests to be used by the Aurora Police Special Response Team during the execution of high-risk narcotic search warrants and other tactical operations. The lowest bidder is Kiesler Police Supply, Inc. $80,123.92.
The current tactical ballistic vests used the Special Response Team personnel are beyond the five year service life stated by the manufacturer.
• Considered was a resolution establishing rules to provide that public comment will be a regular item of business before the Council and its committees. No vote will be required or authorized to allow for public comment. No person may speak longer than three minutes at each meeting nor may any person yield his or her time to another person. The total time for public comment at any meeting may not exceed 30 minutes.
Mayor Richard Irvin or the committee chairperson, as the case may be, will have the discretion to adjust the order of business at meetings to facilitate public comment when necessary.
The agenda items listed could be passed upon approval at the full City Council meeting Tuesday.