Comp Plan Steering Committee Packet 2015 07-16-15
AGENDA
COMP PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
Thursday, July 16, 2015
7:00 P.M.
City Hall Council Chambers
800 Game Farm Road
1. Welcome
2. Roll Call
3. Previous Meeting Minutes: May 21, 2015
4. Citizen’s Comments
5. New Business:
a) State of the City Report Presentation
1. Introductory Chapters
2. Overview of Land Use Issues
3. Overview of Transportation and Infrastructure Issues
4. Overview of Major Planning Issues
5. Questions and Comments
b) Project Schedule Update
1. State of the City Report Revisions Timeline
2. Phase 2 Visioning Overview
3. Community Workshop #2
6. Adjournment
United City of Yorkville
800 Game Farm Road
Yorkville, Illinois 60560
Telephone: 630-553-4350
www.yorkville.il.us
DRAFT
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
COMP PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
Thursday, May 21, 2015 7:00pm
Yorkville City Hall, Conference Room
800 Game Farm Road
In Attendance:
Committee Members
Amy Cesich, Park Board James Weaver, Plan Commission
Tom Kozlowicz, Chamber Member Bill Gockman, Resident
Joel Frieders, Alderman Tim Shimp, Yorkville School District
Bob Delo, Windett Ridge Reagan Flavin Goins, Zoning Board of Appeals
Russ Walter, Library Board Erin Dickens, Resident
City Officials
Krysti Barksdale-Noble, Community Development Director
Mr. Chris Heinen, City Planner
Other Guests
Nick Kalogeresis, Lakota Group
Justin Weidl, Lakota Group
Zach Lowe, Goodman Williams Group
Linda Goodman, Goodman Williams Group
Welcome
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Amy Cesich at 7:00pm.
Roll Call
Roll call was taken and a quorum established.
Previous Meeting Minutes January 22, 2015
The minutes were approved as read on a motion by Tom Kozlowicz and second by Bob Delo. Voice
vote approval.
Citizen Comments None
New Business
Community Engagement Activity Review
Mr. Kalogeresis said a State of the City will be presented at the next meeting. A workshop was held a
month ago with 30 people attending and he provided details of the recent activities in which the Comp
Plan Team has engaged.
Page 1 of 4
Stakeholder Interview
Sessions
Mr. Kalogeresis said his team has spoken with about 62 different persons/groups including city staff,
business owners, Wrigley, hospitals, BKFD, County, township, etc. and received excellent feedback.
He provided an overview of each of the bullet points from the draft Public Input Summary Report that
each committee member received:
●Downtown Yorkville
The improved Rt. 47 is a blessing and a curse, truck traffic is fast, making it difficult to cross the street,
barriers are not aesthetically pleasing, bridge and train tracks are barriers, downtown parking is a
problem, viewpoint expressed that City needs to take a more active role in providing parking, many
development opportunities along riverfront, promote downtown, promote/develop “Hydraulic” street
name. Mr. Weidl said the feeling was that the downtown was under-utilized and the character of the
downtown must be determined.
●Land Use and Development
Existing infrastructure should be developed, concentrate on downtown and Rt. 34/47, strong desire for
southside grocer, update subdivision codes and appearance codes, possible residential in the downtown,
look at Rt. 34 & Eldamain corridor growth, need diversity of housing products/range of options,
consider smaller lots, need for a Metra station. There was also a discussion of condos and the legal
definitions. In a future workshop, feedback will be invited regarding condos.
●Infrastructure Systems
City does good job on infrastructure, some sanitary system issues, water master plan needs updating,
●Open Space and Recreation
Need for southside park, need redevelopment of some parks, many trails planned, but not built, need
good bike trail, many parks are private, determine how much open space to keep, formation of park
district in future?
●Institutions
Schools are doing their own planning and project 1-2 additional schools if full buildout of Yorkville.
Transportation is not easy for schools and plowing is an issue.
●Urban Design
Need placemaking using banners, signs, etc to bind the community
Community Workshop #1, April 16, 2015
Exhibits were displayed, demographic information was provided and transportation infrastructure was
discussed. A questionnaire was given to participants for basic feedback regarding bicycling and
walking. It was also noted that there are many pockets of land not in the City limits and how should
those should be addressed?
Page 2 of 4
●Station 3 Route 47 Focus Area
Workshop participants were asked to place stickers on a map to indicate where they wanted to see
certain amenities/businesses. The most interest was shown for the water park area and people
suggested hotels, restaurants, sports, ballfields. Mr. Weidl questioned whether the City should define
itself by agriculture at the northern entrance or where the entrance sign should be placed.
●Eldamain Focus Area
Ms. Cesich questioned the zoning on Eldamain. It is zoned business and the land is a special use for
agriculture. Alderman Frieders noted that the dynamics would change if there was a bridge on
Eldamain.
●Downtown Focus Area
The team divided the downtown in four quadrants. Mr. Weidl said the downtown is under-utilized and
it was questioned how it could be made unique. He suggested the sawmill could offer a workshop on
woodworking, there are cooking classes already and brewing classes could be offered. Many
participants felt the City should have a presence in the downtown, even suggesting a city hall there.
●Overall City Map
Ideas included senior housing and civic uses. The southern gateway to the City should be promoted.
Preliminary Online Survey Results
Mr. Weidl said 152 people took the survey that was available for three months. In general, city services
were rated good. Housing information was surveyed and many felt more retail was needed especially
downtown. Many felt they would like the population to grow. Shopping, trails, destination shopping,
bed and breakfasts were also desired. Another survey will be done at a later time. Mr. Walter asked
how many participants answered the library question so he can report back to the Library Board.
Overview of Major Planning Issues
Mr. Kalogeresis summarized the information from the bullet points above. He also mentioned a
“conservation subdivision” where development is concentrated in one area with open space in the rest,
however, Ms. Barksdale-Noble said it was rejected by developers and the Zoning Commission
recommended against preservation areas. She added that Lakota could create an overlay district and
this concept could be added back in the zoning districts. Mr. Weidl asked the committee to review
Section 4 prior to the next meeting and send feedback via email to Krysti or Justin. The committee will
meet again in July.
Project Schedule Update
A state of the City report will be given on June 26th to summarize all analyses and a July meeting will
be held for revisions and then on to the planning portion. In late September-early October, the next
workshop will be held and choices will be presented.
Mr. Delo asked if the City Council will receive the final report and he said it must constantly be
evolving. It will be used for direction by staff when special projects or developments come forward.
Ms. Cesich commented that the County 10-year plan did not account for the recession that occurred
and the foreclosures were very high.
Additional Business
Chairman Cesich asked that members not present at the last meeting, introduce themselves.
Page 3 of 4
Adjournment
There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 8:23 on a motion by Mr. Frieders and
second by Mr. Weaver.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Marlys Young, Minute Taker
Page 4 of 4
LAKOTA
JULY 8, 2015
DRAFT
State of the City Report
THE YORKVILLE PLAN
CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
ELECTED OFFICIALS
Gary J. Golinski, Mayor
Beth Warren, City Clerk
Ken Koch, Alderman Ward 1
Carlo Colosimo, Alderman Ward 1
Larry Kot, Alderman Ward 2
Jacquelyn Milschewski, Alderman Ward 2
Joel Frieders, Alderman Ward 3
Chris Funkhouser, Alderman Ward 3
Diane Teeling, Alderman Ward 4
Seaver Tarulis, Alderman Ward 4
PLAN COMMISSION MEMBERS
Randy Harker, Chairman
Charles Kraupner
Jack Jones
Mike Crouch
James Weaver
Deborah Horaz
Reagan Flavin Goins
Chuck Galmarini
Richard Vinyard
PLANNING TEAM
The Lakota Group
Goodman Williams Group
T.Y. Lin International
STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Amy Cesich, Park Board
Deb Horaz, White Oaks Estates HOA
Rose & Bob Delo, Windett Ridge HOA
James Weaver, Planning Commission
Mary Shilkaitis, Rush Copley Hospital
Tom Kozlowicz, Chamber Member
Bill Gockman, Resident
Reagan Goins, Zoning Board of Appeals
Joel Frieders, EDC Member
Russell Walter, Library Board
Tim Shimp, Yorkville School District
Erin-Mikal Dickens, Resident
Adalma Stevens, Resident
Anthony Hansen, Resident
UNITED CITY OF
YORKVILLE STAFF
Bart Olson, City Administrator
Rob Fredrickson, Director of Finance
Eric Dhuse, Director of Public Works
Rich Hart, Chief of Police
Krysti Barksdale-Noble, Community Development Director
Chris Heinen, Planner
Pete Ratos, Building Inspector/Zoning Officer
Tim Evans, Director of Parks and Recreation
Engineering Enterprises, Inc., City Engineering Consultant
Michelle Pfister, Library Director
PLAN ACRONYMS
AADT – Annual Average Daily Traffic
CDBG – Community Development Block Grant
CLG – Certified Local Government
CMAP - Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
CM2020 - Chicago Metropolis 2020
CUSD - Community Unit School District
DOJ – U.S. Department of Justice
FAR – Floor Area Ratio
FEMA – Federal Emergency Management Agency
FHWA - Federal Highway Administration
FPA - Facility Planning Area
GIS – Geographic Information System
HUD – U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
IEPA – Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
IDNR – Illinois Department of Natural Resources
IDOT – Illinois Department of Transportation
IHPA – Illinois Historic Preservation Agency
IHDA - Illinois Housing Development Authority
IL - Illinois Railway
NRPA - National Recreation and Parks Association
PUD - Planned Unit Development
RTA - Regional Transportation Authority
TIF – Tax Increment Financing
TOD - Transit Oriented Development
YBSD - Yorkville-Bristol Damitary District
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION
Overview 6
Comprehensive Plan Purpose 6
Relationship to the Go To 2040 Regional Comprehensive Plan 7
Community Profile 8
Demographic Characteristics 8
Household Characteristics 9
Employment Trends 10
Quality of Life 12
Shopping Districts 12
Parks and Open Space 12
Schools 12
Community Services 12
Regional Context 13
Historic Context 13
Form of Governance 13
Previous Plans and Studies 14
2008 Yorkville Comprehensive Plan 14
2005 Downtown Vision Plan 14
2008 Parks and Recreation Master Plan 14
2014 South Side Commercial District Market Study 15
SECTION 2: PLANNING PROCESS
Methodology 16
Phase 1: State of the City 18
Phase 2: Community Visioning 19
Phase 3: Final Comprehensive Plan Update 19
Planning Area 19
SECTION 3: YORKVILLE LAND USE
Existing Land Use 20
Land Uses within the Planning Area 22
Land Uses within the Municipal Boundary 23
Zoning Districts 24
Residential Land Use 26
Existing Residential Areas 26
Housing Conditions and Residential Market Opportunities 28
Residential Zoning Districts 36
Undeveloped Residential Zoning Areas 37
Summary of Key Residential Land Use Observations 38
Commercial Land Use 40
Downtown Yorkville 40
Downtown Zoning Districts 42
Illinois Route 47 and U.S. Route 34 Corridors (North) 43
Illinois Routes 47 Corridor (South) 43
Commercial Market Data and Analysis 44
Commercial Zoning Districts 47
Undeveloped Commercial Zoning Areas 49
Summary of Commercial Land Use Observations 49
Industrial Land Use 50
Existing Industrial Areas 50
Industrial Market Data and Analysis 51
Industrial Zoning Districts 52
Undeveloped Industrial Zoning Areas 53
Summary of Industrial Land Use Observations 53
Public / Quasi-Public Land Use 54
Existing Public / Quasi-Public Areas 54
Public / Quasi-Public Land Use Needs Analysis 55
Summary of Public / Quasi-Public Land Use Observations 55
Parks and Open Space Land Use 56
Existing Parks and Open Space Areas 56
Parks and Open Space Needs Analysis 57
Open Space Zoning Districts 58
Summary of Parks and Open Space Land Use Observations 59
Agricultural Land Use 60
Existing Agricultural Areas 60
Agricultural Market Data And Analysis 60
Agricultural Zoning Districts 61
Summary of Agricultural Land Use Observations 61
Planned Unit Developments 62
Existing PUD Areas 62
Undeveloped PUD Zoning Areas 63
Historic Resources 64
SECTION 4: TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Current Conditions 65
Roadway Network 65
Bicycle Network 67
Pedestrian Network 68
Transit 69
Rail Freight 69
Planned Improvements 70
Summary of Transportation Observations 71
Utility Infrastructure 72
Water Supply 72
Sanitary System 72
Summary of Utility Infrastructure Findings 73
Planning Area, Municipal Boundaries, and Growth Management 74
Municipal Planning Area and Extraterritorial Jurisdiction 74
Municipal Boundaries And Growth Management 74
Summary of Municipal Boundaries
and Growth Management Issues 76
SECTION 5: PUBLIC INPUT SUMMARY
Stakeholder Listening Sessions 77
Infrastructure Systems 77
Open Space and Recreations 77
Land Use and Development 77
Urban Design 77
Institutions 77
Downtown Yorkville 77
Community “Speak-Out” Workshop #1 78
Station 1: Project Introduction 78
Station 2: Transportation And Infrastructure 78
Station 3: Route 47 Focus Area 79
Station 4: Eldamain Focus Area 79
Station 5: Downtown Focus Area 79
Station 6: Overall City Map 79
Online Survey 80
Summary of Demographic Responses 80
Summary of Community Quality Responses 80
Summary of Housing Responses 80
Summary of Business Responses 80
Summary of Overall Community Responses 80
SECTION 5: SUMMARY OF PLANNING ISSUES
Summary of Planning Issues 81
6
SECTION 1 - INTRODUCTION
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE DRAFT
SECTION 1 - INTRODUCTION
A Comprehensive Plan is a document prepared by the Plan Commission which sets forth policies for the future
development of the community. It is the result of considerable study and analysis of existing physical, economic,
and social characteristics, and includes a projection of future needs and conditions. The value and purpose of
a Comprehensive Plan is to rationally and objectively identify the timing and location of land and infrastructure
development - something that zoning and subdivision regulations alone cannot accomplish.
OVERVIEW
In 2014, the United City of Yorkville, in collaboration
with Yorkville citizens and stakeholders, initiated a two-
year-long process to update its 2008 Comprehensive
Plan. This updated Comprehensive Plan comes at
a time when the Chicago metropolitan region is
emerging from one of the more significant economic
recessions in recent decades with many communities
like Yorkville seeking ways to enhance the overall
quality of life for their residents while addressing the
issues of growth and development, changing economic
conditions, infrastructure needs and limited financial
resources.
This Comprehensive Plan was developed to provide
a new strategic vision and direction for Yorkville –
one that capitalizes on its existing assets, including
its traditional downtown core and neighborhoods,
location along the Fox River, existing commercial
areas, manufacturing base, schools and community
services – while considering planning strategies for
renewed but sustainable growth, revitalizing the
downtown, diversifying its industrial and employment
base, and adding new recreational and open space
amenities. Furthermore, this Plan is being prepared
with extensive community participation throughout
the planning process. Specific questions were asked
of Yorkville residents and stakeholders: What makes
Yorkville a good place to live and work? What parts
of Yorkville should be preserved or changed? What
amenities in the neighborhoods, commercial districts or
parks should be enhanced or added? What makes up
Yorkville’s future industrial and manufacturing base?
What should Yorkville’s image and brand identity be
within the region?
Yorkville is known in the Chicago area for its housing
opportunities, location near natural resource and
recreational amenities, schools and proximity to
regional transportation services, including Interstate 88.
Its location near Aurora and other Fox Valley suburbs
also provides the community with access to the region’s
employment centers, and other educational institutions
and cultural attractions. However, like many Chicago
outer-ring suburbs, Yorkville has several challenges that
will require new approaches than what has been tried
and implemented before. Due to the 2008 economic
recession, recently planned residential subdivisions
have yet to be fully built-out; commercial activity has
Bicentennial Riverfront Park and the Fox River, downtown Yorkville
failed to materialize on land zoned for such uses, and
parking and brownfield issues need to be addressed
before any substantial redevelopment activities can
take place in Yorkville’s traditional downtown district.
In addition, new infrastructure investments may be
needed to support any future development activity.
The United City of Yorkville has made significant strides
in recent years to update its land use regulations, spur
development activities in its commercial areas and
residential subdivisions, and to enhance its municipal
services to better meet the quality of life needs for
its residents. Yorkville stakeholders recognize that
in order to adequately address the issues that matter
the most to them, it must continue to explore all
opportunities for growth and development that build
on its existing assets, including its people, businesses
and institutions.
With these opportunities and challenges in mind, the
United City of Yorkville has understood that a new
Comprehensive Plan can serve as the roadmap for
undertaking new initiatives and in coordinating the
efforts and activities of other key partners, such as the
Park and Library departments, School District, business
and property and owners, local industries and other
organizations, agencies and entities. A fully up-to-
date Comprehensive Plan can also help to make more
informed decisions on critical issues related to land
use, transportation, and capital improvements, issues
that can have significant impacts on how Yorkville
develops in the future. Change will always occur — a
Comprehensive Plan that responds to local conditions
effectively can help address the challenges that change
always presents.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PURPOSE
In 2014, the United City of Yorkville, in collaboration
with Yorkville citizens and stakeholders, have initiated
a process to prepare an update to its Comprehensive
Plan since 2008 — a Comprehensive Plan that
represents the community’s consensus and vision
for Yorkville’s future. The process for developing
the Comprehensive Plan included an assessment
and evaluation of existing conditions in Yorkville
in order to identify specific issues, constraints and
opportunities for enhancing the community’s land
uses, transportation and infrastructure systems,
economic development and quality of life. This State
of the City Report provides a “snapshot” of Yorkville’s
existing conditions, community outreach efforts
during the planning process thus far, and a summary
of key issues and opportunities to be addressed in the
Comprehensive Plan document.
The Yorkville Comprehensive Plan is a guide for the
people of Yorkville to accomplish the vision set forth
in this document. Therefore, as a guidebook, the
Comprehensive Plan will assist local planners and
government officials determine and understand the
appropriate types of development that should be
permitted and encouraged in the City, realizing that
each new development creates a lasting impact on the
City’s character. The Plan should also influence policy
decisions in a broad range of areas including, but not
limited to, the following:
• Land Use,
• Transportation,
• Infrastructure and Utilities,
• Environmental and Agricultural Preservation,
• Economic Development,
• Recreation and Open Space, and
• Housing.
Finally, the Plan should be re-evaluated periodically in
light of changing conditions so that it remains the true
vision of the community. The 2015 Comprehensive Plan
is intended to guide the community for the next 5 to 10
years at which point an update should be considered by
the United City of Yorkville.
“Change will always occur — a Comprehensive Plan that responds to
local conditions effectively can help address the challenges that change
always presents.”
7
SECTION 1 - INTRODUCTION
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTUREDRAFT
In summary, the Comprehensive Plan serves several
key purposes:
• Future Vision. This Comprehensive Plan will
serve as an important document in informing
current and future community stakeholders
about Yorkville’s long term vision. Above all,
preparing a Comprehensive Plan represents a
collaborative process between the United City
and its citizens in determining Yorkville’s future.
• Land Use Framework. The Plan provides a
land use framework and strategy that seeks
to promote the highest and best uses of
land while reducing land use conflicts and
increasing the benefits the land can provide
in terms of residential and employment
opportunities, transportation options,
clean water, and recreational and open
space. Benefits must also be enduring and
sustainable so that current and succeeding
generations of Yorkville residents can enjoy an
enhanced quality of the life. In addition, the
Plan sets forth broad strategies that can be
used to review and refine current and future
community development initiatives, as well as
adjust zoning and land use regulations that
ensure such projects are in conformance with
the goals, policies and objectives set forth in
this Comprehensive Plan.
• Public Investment Guide. The Yorkville City
Council should use the Comprehensive Plan to
guide decision-making regarding investments
in infrastructure, community facilities, and
other capital improvements. The Plan can also
be used in seeking grants and other sources of
financial assistance at the regional, state and
federal levels.
RELATIONSHIP TO THE GO TO 2040
REGIONAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
(CMAP) is the official regional planning organization
for the northeastern Illinois counties of Cook, DuPage,
Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will. The Agency
developed and now guides the implementation
of GO TO 2040, metropolitan Chicago’s first
comprehensive regional plan in more than 100 years.
To address anticipated population growth of more
than 2 million new residents, GO TO 2040 establishes
coordinated strategies that will help the region’s 284
communities address transportation, housing, economic
development, environmental, and other quality-of-life
issues.
Although this Comprehensive Plan is not funded by
CMAP, it is the desire of Yorkville elected leaders
and officials that the Yorkville Comprehensive Plan is
aligned with the regional planning goals represented
in GO TO 2040 and to take into account the larger
regional economic and social changes and forces that
may have an impact on Yorkville’s future.
GO TO 2040 states that “municipalities are critical
to the success of GO TO 2040 because of their
responsibility for land use decisions, which create the
built environment of the region and determine the
livability of its communities. The most important thing
that a municipality can do to implement GO TO 2040 is
to take this responsibility very seriously.” By developing
a new comprehensive plan, Yorkville has taken
responsibility for guiding its future and demonstrated
its commitment to helping shape the future of the
region as well.
• Private Investment Guide. Developers,
industries, entrepreneurs and others
interested in investing in Yorkville can use
the Comprehensive Plan to gain insight into
the City’s development and land use policies.
Such investors also view sound comprehensive
planning as critical to ensuring the viability and
long-term success of their investments in the
community.
• Community Engagement Tool. The process in
creating this Comprehensive Plan will provide
an opportunity for local leaders, stakeholders
and residents to understand and evaluate
community strengths and weaknesses, and
to craft strategies and recommendations
for addressing critical planning issues.
Future implementation and planning efforts
for Yorkville’s residential, commercial,
industrial, and open space and park areas as
recommended in this Comprehensive Plan
will also provide additional opportunities to
engage Yorkville’s stakeholders on important
development issues.
• Implementation Strategy. A detailed
implementation strategy proposed in
the Comprehensive Plan will prioritize
specific planning actions, outline roles and
responsibilities between the United City of
Yorkville and other agencies, organizations
and entities, and identify other stakeholders
and groups that could participate in
implementation efforts now and into the
future.
“With these opportunities and
challenges in mind, the United City
of Yorkville has understood that a
new Comprehensive Plan can serve
as the roadmap for undertaking
new initiatives and in coordinating
the efforts and activities of other
key partners, such as the Park
and Library departments, School
District, business and property and
owners, local industries and other
organizations, agencies and entities.”
“A fully up-to-date Comprehensive
Plan can also help to make more
informed decisions on critical issues
related to land use, transportation,
and capital improvements, issues
that can have significant impacts
on how Yorkville develops in the
future. Change will always occur — a
Comprehensive Plan that responds to
local conditions effectively can help
address the challenges that change
always presents.”
8
SECTION 1 - INTRODUCTION
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE DRAFT
20
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2000 2010 2014
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Change %
2000 - 2014
19 or Younger 2,006 5,491 5,593 + 178.8
20 - 24 338 840 971 + 187.3
25 - 44 2,081 5,793 5,362 + 157.7
45 - 54 721 2,107 2,430 + 237.0
55 - 74 736 2,120 2,849 + 287.1
75 or More 307 570 672 + 118.9
Median Age 33.2 32.4 34.6 + 4.2
COMMUNITY PROFILE
The United City of Yorkville is located approximately
50 miles southwest of Chicago in Kendall County,
Illinois, considered in the last decade to be one of the
fastest-growing counties in the country.1 Yorkville is
currently the seat of Kendall County government with
complexes located in downtown Yorkville and along
Illinois Route 34 at John Street and Cornell Lane.
Yorkville is located along the Fox River between the
communities of Sugar Grove to the north, Montgomery
and Oswego to the east, Plano to the west, and mostly
unincorporated Kendall County land to the south.
Yorkville’s approximate land area, including land and
water, is 20 square miles. Two of Illinois’ largest cities –
Aurora and Joliet – lie ten miles to the northeast and 20
miles to the southeast, respectively.
DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS
According to the 2010 United States Census,
Yorkville’s population was 16,921, a more than two-
fold increase since the year 2000 due to new
residential development and growth. That growth, not
surprisingly, came to an end with the housing market
crisis and national recession that began in late 2007
and continued through mid-2009. Post-recession
population gains have been much more modest, with
the City adding, by current estimates, fewer than 1,000
new residents between 2010 and 2014. Growth for the
next five years is projected by Esri Business Analyst
to be somewhat more robust, however, with the City
adding approximately 300 new residents per year, for
an annual growth rate of 1.5 percent.
By current estimates, Yorkville is home to 6,240
households with an average size of 2.85 persons per
household. Household size has risen slightly since
2000 when the average size stood at 2.76 persons,
reflecting the City’s growing attractiveness to families
with children. Over the next five years, Yorkville is
projected to add roughly 460 households, with the
average household size rising to 2.87 persons. The
estimated median age of Yorkville residents stands at
34.6 years, slightly higher than that of Kendall County
as a whole at 33.7 years.
Interestingly, like many areas of the country, Yorkville’s
population is aging. By 2019, the median age within
the City is expected to have risen to 35.1 years as the
proportion of residents age 20 to 34 falls from 19.4
to 18.6 percent, while that of residents age 55 and
above increases from 19.7 to 20.5 percent. Notably,
the proportion of residents age 35 to 54 – the primary
target market for much of the single family housing
built over the last two decades within the City – is
expected to remain essentially unchanged.
2000
CENSUS
2010
CENSUS
CHANGE
2000-2010
2014
ESTIMATE
2019
PROJECTION
CHANGE
2014-2019
Population
Total Population 6,189 16,921 173.4%17,878 19,313 8.0%
Median Age 33.2 32.4 -2.4%34.6 35.1 1.4%
Households
Total Households 2,220 5,912 166.3%6,240 6,701 7.4%
Average
Household Size 2.76 2.84 2.9%2.85 2.87 0.7%
Family Households 1,665 4,389 163.6%4,773 5,112 7.1%
Average Family Size 3.22 3.31 2.8%3.27 3.29 0.6%
Income
Total Households $60,391 $82,007 35.8%$90,653 $100,891 11.3%
Table 1.1: Demographic Trends Chart
Table 1.2: Resident Age Distribution Chart
Source: U.S. Census Bureau and Esri Business Analyst (estimates and projections)
1 Kendall County Website. Kendall County, retrieved June 1, 2015
2 Esri Business Analyst, Goodman William Group
The median age of Yorkville residents fell through the 2000s as younger families with children moved
to the City. However, in the last five years it has risen significantly as these families have aged.
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Graph 1.1: Population by Age
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9
SECTION 1 - INTRODUCTION
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTUREDRAFT
TOTAL
HOUSEHOLDS
2000 CENSUS 2014 ESTIMATE
2,256 100.0%6,240 100.0%
<$15,000 124 5.5%205 3.3%
$15,000-$24,999 175 7.8%302 4.8%
$25,000-$34,999 193 8.6%268 4.3%
$35,000-$49,999 405 18.0%580 9.3%
$50,000-$74,999 652 28.9%986 15.8%
$75,000-$99,999 382 16.9%1,119 17.9%
$100,000-$149,999 246 10.9%1,742 27.9%
$150,000-$199,999 35 1.6%649 10.4%
$200,000+44 2.0%389 6.2%
Median HH
Income $60,391 $90,653
Table 1.3: Household Income Distribution Chart
HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISTICS
Yorkville exhibits considerable income strength, with a
2014 estimated median household income of $90,653.
This is slightly higher than that of Kendall County, at
$89,472, and considerably higher than the Chicago
metropolitan area as a whole, at $62,118 (by 2013 Census
estimates). Nearly two thirds of Yorkville households
have incomes of $75,000 or more, and almost 45
percent have incomes of $100,000 or more. At the
other end of the spectrum, less than 13 percent of
households have incomes of $35,000 or less.
As illustrated in the accompanying map, higher income
households are most prevalent in the far eastern and
southern portions of the City, where median household
income stands above $100,000. In other areas,
median income ranges from $75,000 to $100,000. In
comparison to neighboring communities, Yorkville is
in the middle of the median household income range.
The map also outlines the highly irregular municipal
boundaries of Yorkville, a result of the numerous
annexations of farmland for planned and built
subdivisions.
2015 Median Household Income by Census Block Group
Source: Esri Business Analyst Online
Median household income rose 50% between 2000 and 2014. The percent of Yorkville households earning $75,000 or more rose from 31% in 2000 to 63% in 2014.$
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10
SECTION 1 - INTRODUCTION
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE DRAFT
EMPLOYMENT TRENDS
The most recent American Community Survey (ACS)
estimates Kendall County had a resident workforce
of 51,874 people in 2010. Of these, slightly more than
28 percent worked within the County itself, with the
majority (nearly 72 percent) of residents commuting
outside the County, primarily to DuPage, Kane, and
Cook Counties for work.
Year-over-year employment growth in Kendall County
flagged after 2008 as the regional economy, like the
nation as a whole, suffered through the economic
recession.
However, unlike many other counties in metropolitan
Chicago, Kendall County experienced just one year
of employment losses. After this, employment growth
resumed. Indeed, the County has seen the addition of
more than 2,800 jobs since cyclical labor market lows
were experienced in 2010, with total employment now
standing some 1,900 jobs higher than that reached in
2009 during the previous high.
EMPLOYED IN WORKERS %
Kendall 14,583 28.1
Du Page 13,626 26.3
Kane 10,242 19.7
Cook 6,429 12.4
Will 4,687 9.0
De Kalb 777 1.5
Grundy 394 0.8
McHenry 186 0.4
Other 950 1.8
Total 51,874 100.0
Table 1.4: Kendall County Resident
Workforce by County of Employment
Graph 1.2: Trends in Nonfarm Employment - Kendall County, Illinois
Graph 1.3: Year-Over-Year Change in Employment - Kendall County and Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL Metropolitan Division
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2006-2010 American Community Survey Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
25.000
15,000
5,000
-4%
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20.000
2014
2014
2013
2013
2012
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11
SECTION 1 - INTRODUCTION
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTUREDRAFT
However, it should be noted, given the importance
of the regional labor market to residents of Kendall
County, employment within the eight-county Chicago
metropolitan area as a whole, has yet to fully recover
from employment losses experienced in 2008 and
2009 and, as of the end of 2014, remained some 72,000
jobs below levels seen in 2007.
The largest private employer in Kendall County is
heavy equipment manufacturer Caterpillar, Inc.,
which employees approximately 2,500 people at
its Montgomery/Oswego facility. The Menard’s
Distribution Center, located in Plano across Eldamain
COMPANY # OF
EMPLOYEES INDUSTRY LOCATION
Top Kendall County Employers
Caterpillar, Inc.2,500 Manufacturing Montgomery/Oswego
Menard’s Distribution Center 600 Distribution Plano
Plano Molding 310 Manufacturing Plano/Sandwich
Walmart 500 Retail/Commercial Oswego/Plano
Wrigley Manufacturing 355 Manufacturing Yorkville
Top Yorkville Private Employers, 2012
Raging Waves Water Park (seasonal)450 Entertainment Route 47
Wrigley Manufacturing Company LLC 355 Manufacturing Route 47
Super Target 180 Retail/Commercial Kendall Marketplace
Menards Mega Store Yorkville 140 Retail/Commercial Yorkville Crossing
Jewel/Osco 130 Retail/Commercial Yorkville Marketplace
Newly Weds Foods 130 Retail/Commercial Route 47
Kohl's 115 Retail/Commercial Kendall Marketplace
Boombah, Inc 90 Wholesale Route 47
Hillside Health Care Center 90 Medical Route 34
Home Depot 85 Retail/Commercial Kendall Marketplace
Top Yorkville Public Employers, 2012
Kendall County 345 Public Service -
Yorkville School District #115 550 Public Service -
United City of Yorkville 145 Public Service -
United States Postal Service 100 Public Service -
Table 1.5: Major Employers in Kendall County and Yorkville
Sources: Economic Development of Kendall County, Yorkville Economic Development Corporation
Graph 1.4: Metropolitan Chicago Trends in Employment
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
3,000
3,500
4,000
3,750
3,250
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Road from the Yorkville’s municipal limits, is the
County’s second largest employer, with 600 workers.
The largest private employer in the City of Yorkville is
Raging Waves Water Park, which employs 450 people
seasonally. Wrigley Manufacturing Company, with 355
workers, is the City’s second largest employer. Wrigley
is planning to add 75 jobs in 2015 by expanding their
capacity to produce Skittles at the Yorkville location. In
the public sector, Kendall County employs 345 people
at its offices and locations in Yorkville, while Yorkville
School District Number 115 employs 550 teachers and
staff.
12
SECTION 1 - INTRODUCTION
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE DRAFT
QUALITY OF LIFE
The Yorkville community has a number of assets – its
downtown and other commercial districts, schools,
parks and amenities – that define its overall quality of
life. It is these assets that the United City of Yorkville
seeks to maintain and enhance in order to attract
new residents, businesses and investment and in turn,
diversify the tax base and provide for an increasing
level of community services and amenities in the long
term.
SHOPPING DISTRICTS
Yorkville’s shopping areas are generally comprised of
the traditional downtown core located along Illinois
Route 47 between the Fox River and East Fox Street,
and the newer auto-oriented commercial areas along
Illinois Routes 34 and 47 corridors between Beecher
Road west to East Countryside Parkway on the east
and Kennedy Road north to Landmark Avenue to the
south. Downtown Yorkville is home to a number of
dining and entertainment establishments housed in
traditional commercial buildings, the historic Kendall
County Courthouse and other governmental offices,
and a number of buildings housing light industrial
and manufacturing companies. Downtown also offers
access to the Fox River from Bicentennial Riverfront
Park and the Marge Cline Whitewater Course, a
significant recreational attraction for the community.
The Illinois Route 34 commercial corridor provides a
wide diversity of shopping and dining opportunities in
various commercial developments. Stores and retail
venues located here include Starbucks and Panera
Bread, Jewel-Osco, Menards, Home Depot, Target,
Kohls and other small and mid-sized brand retailers.
Smaller shopping strips and commercial centers are
also found in other areas of Yorkville providing service
and convenience-related retail.
PARKS AND OPEN SPACE
In addition to Bicentennial Riverfront Park, the
United City of Yorkville manages 45 different parks
encompassing 276 acres of land and open space. The
parks provide a variety of recreational opportunities
ranging from ball fields and basketball courts,
playgrounds and unstructured play spaces, trails, and
picnic areas and boat launches. In addition, there are a
number of private parks operated by local homeowners
associations. In close proximity to Yorkville are several
state and county-owned parks and forest and nature
preserves, including Silver Spring State Park and the
Millbrook North and South, Millhurst Fen, Meremech
Woods, Hoover and Harris County preserves. Other
Kendall County-owned recreational lands include
Subat, Lyon, Richard Young, Henneberry, and Pickerell-
Pigott forest preserves, all within 20 to 30 minutes
driving time of Yorkville. Yorkville is also adjacent to
Saw Wee Kee Park along the Fox River and operated
by the Oswegoland Park District. These facilities offer
picnic areas, boat launches along the Fox River, lodging
and summer camp facilities, and nature and educational
centers. Although not a recreational center, the
Farnsworth House, designed by noted architect Mies
van der Rohe and owned by the National Trust for
Historic Preservation, is a noted tourism destination in
the region, located along a 62-acre site north of the Fox
River less than five miles from downtown Yorkville.
SCHOOLS
Yorkville is served by Yorkville Community Unit School
District 115, which is comprised by six elementary
schools for grades kindergarten through 6th, two
middle and intermediate schools serving grades 7th
through 8th and one high school. The district covers an
85 square mile service area and employs approximately
550 teachers and staff. As of the 2014-2015 school year,
the School District has a combined enrollment of 5,576
students. The High School has recently completed a
$22 million, 90,000 square foot facility expansion.
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Several institutional and governmental entities and
agencies serve the Yorkville community, including
Kendall County, the United City of Yorkville, and
the Bristol Kendall Fire Protection District. Kendall
County maintains its administrative center and other
departmental functions in downtown Yorkville, while
its County Jail, Court Administration and Health
Department are located at the West John Street/
Illinois Route 34 building complex. The United City
of Yorkville maintains its offices, including its Police
Department, in its Game Farm Road facility adjacent
to the Public Library, High School, and High School
Academy and Yorkville Grade School complexes.
The Bristol Kendall Fire Protection District serves as
the fire department for Yorkville and has three fire
stations in Yorkville. The United States Post Office is
located in northeast Yorkville at the intersection of East
Countryside Parkway and McHugh Road.
In addition to governmental services, Yorkville is the
location of the new Rush-Copley Medical Center along
Illinois Route 34 (Veterans Parkway), which provides a
range of medical services from emergency medicine
to oncology, OBGYN, and occupational services. A
campus of Morris Hospital and Medical Center is
located at the intersection of Illinois Routes 47 and
71, offering services in primary and immediate care,
diagnostic services, occupational medicine and physical
therapy. Medical services are also provided by a
number of smaller medical facilities and professional
offices throughout Yorkville. Other nearby hospitals
and medical facilities are located in Oswego, Aurora,
Naperville, Plano, and Sandwich. Apart from medical
services, Yorkville has 11 churches ranging dominations
from Roman Catholic and Congregational to Baptist
and Evangelical.
Downtown Yorkville at the Fox River
13
SECTION 1 - INTRODUCTION
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTUREDRAFT
Yorkville train station, downtown Yorkville
REGIONAL CONTEXT
Yorkville is one of 284 municipalities that comprise the
Chicago metropolitan region, a region that extends
geographically over eight counties and includes
a population of approximately 8.3 million people.
Yorkville is located 50 miles southwest of the City
of Chicago, south of Interstate 88 (Ronald Reagan
Memorial Highway and Illinois Route 56, and north
and west of Interstate 55 (Stevenson). Its corporate
boundaries generally include Base Line Road (Illinois
Route 30) to the north, Fairfax Way to the south,
Galena Road to the northwest, Veterans Parkway and
American Way Road to the east, Illinois Route 126 and
Ashley Road to the southwest, West Fox Road and
Popular Drive to the southwest, and Eldamain Road to
the west. Yorkville is divided in two by the Fox River,
which extends from Colgate, Wisconsin to the north to
Ottawa, Illinois at the confluence of the Illinois River 31
miles to the southwest.
In addition to its proximity to the two Interstates and
other arterials that connect Yorkville to adjacent and
nearby suburbs and communities, the Chicago region’s
two airports, Midway International (44 miles) and
O’Hare International (50 miles) are within one hour to
90 minute drive times. In addition, Yorkville is located
near other small and mid-sized airports, including
DuPage County, Joliet Regional, Cushing Airfield, the
Aurora Municipal Airport, and the Hinckley Airport in
DeKalb County. Yorkville is not currently served by
Metra, the northeastern Illinois commuter rail system;
the nearest station to Yorkville is 13 miles to the
northeast located in the Aurora Transportation Center
in downtown Aurora. Bus and other transit services
are provided locally in Yorkville by Kendall Area Transit
operated by Kendall County. Yorkville’s transportation
options and connections to other parts of Kendall
County and Fox Valley region makes Yorkville fairly
accessible and attractive for prospective businesses
and residents to locate in the community.
HISTORIC CONTEXT3
The Kendall County and Yorkville area was first settled
around 1829 by pioneers and newcomers from the
New York state and New England. Although the
Blackhawk War of 1832 briefly slowed settlement,
the prospect of cheap and fertile land for agriculture
and navigable transportation along the Fox River and
nearby trails continued to attract many to the area.
The first reported permanent structure in Yorkville
was built in 1833 by Earl Adams, located south of the
Fox River, atop of the hill which is now home to the
Kendall County Courthouse. During the same time,
Lyman and Burr Bristol began to develop property
north of the Fox River. During the years from 1834 to
1836 the community of Bristol, was platted north of
the Fox River. In 1835, the Bristol brothers sold their
claim on the south side of the Fox River to two cousins,
Rulief Duryea and James Cornell, who were originally
from New York. In the following year, Duryea laid out
the village of Yorkville. In 1856, Captain F.M. Hobbs,
laid out the village square in Bristol, which would later
be incorporated in 1861 with Yorkville following in
1887. Yorkville’s designation as the Kendall County
seat in 1859 would guarantee the future growth and
development of Yorkville and Bristol.
The advent of the railroad to Yorkville in the 1870s
spurred the growth of downtown Yorkville with
businesses that took advantage of the area’s natural
resources – businesses that included Squire Dingee’s
pickle factory, the Yorkville Ice Company, which sold
the harvest from the Fox River, and the Renbehn
Brothers button factory whose product was made from
clam shell found in the Fox River. Several buildings
in downtown Yorkville date from this period of
development.
These communities continued to grow as similar, but
separate entities for over 100 years. The two entities
merged as the United City of Yorkville in 1957. The
Kendall County Courthouse was originally built in
1864 on the same location it is today. Despite a fire in
1887, the exterior walls of the courthouse are still the
same ones built in 1864. Kendall County offices have
expanded since the Courthouse was originally built
in 1864. Additions were added to the courthouse in
the 1950s along with satellite buildings/office space
built in 1975 across the street and a new jail, at US 34
and Cannonball Trail, opening in 1992. In 1997, a new
courthouse was built to service Kendall County on US
34, and expansion plans are currently underway for the
property on US 34 in 2008. The historic courthouse
still remains in use serving as offices for other county
departments.
FORM OF GOVERNANCE
The United City of Yorkville was formed and
incorporated by the amalgamation of the Villages of
Bristol and Yorkville in 1957 and is currently governed
by a Mayor-Council form of municipal government
managed by a professional administrator. The City
Council consist of eight alderman elected from four
geographic wards. All alderman along with the Mayor
3 Adapted from the 2008 Yorkville Comprehensive Plan
4 Yorkville, Illinois History Website, Kathy Farren. Retrieved June 2015
5 Ibid
6 Ibid
7 Ibid
serve four-year terms. The Mayor serves as Yorkville’s
Chief Executive Officer and votes only in the case
of tie among the City Council alderman. In addition
to the Mayor and the City Council, there are two
other elected administrative posts, including the City
Treasurer, responsible for managing the City’s financial
operations, and the City Clerk, the administrator of all
municipal records. Yorkville is currently an Illinois non-
home rule community.
Other administrative staff posts and departments that
carry out specific functions of the United City include
the Police Department, Community Development,
Public Library, Engineering and Public Works,
Employment and Finance, and Parks and Recreation.
There are also several boards and commissions,
including the boards of Police and Fire, Library and
Parks, and the Planning Commission and Zoning Board
of Appeals. There is a Police Pension Board. The City’s
economic development activities are managed by the
Yorkville Economic Development Corporation but the
Corporation will be dissolved by the end of 2015.
14
SECTION 1 - INTRODUCTION
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE DRAFT
PREVIOUS PLANS AND STUDIES
Comprehensive plans and plans at the district and
neighborhood level are vehicles to establish clear
goals and policies for community land use and the
development and revitalization of commercial,
residential and industrial areas. The following is
a review of past planning efforts and initiatives,
which provide relevant background information and
planning concepts related to transportation, capital
improvements, parks and open space and urban design.
2008 YORKVILLE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
In 2008, the United City of Yorkville adopted an update
to its Comprehensive Plan, which had been prepared in
previous years in two parts, one plan for the planning
area south of the Fox River and one for the north. It
was the intent of the Comprehensive Plan to “create
a vision and strategy for the management and growth
over the next five to ten years,” with a long-term vision
that recognizes Yorkville “as continu(ing) to embody
the social and physical characteristics of a small town—
epitomized by a sense of community and a charming,
revitalized downtown.”
The Plan was prepared with the involvement of a
30-member citizen steering committee, the City’s
Planning Commission and Yorkville elected officials
and staff, and including a thorough analysis and
assessment of various planning issues related to
community demographics, natural resources, land
use and transportation, and community facilities.
Accordingly, the planning goals, policies and strategies
of the Comprehensive Plan were organized around four
major planning areas: land use, community facilities,
infrastructure and natural resources. Apart from these
major planning areas, the Comprehensive Plan does
not provide a chapter on plan implementation actions
and initiatives.
The Comprehensive Plan’s land use strategy organizes
land use in Yorkville into four residential land use
classifications, two commercial, two industrial and
office use districts, one mixed use classification, and
two institutional categories, one for parks and open
space and the other for public or quasi-public uses.
A focus of the residential land use classifications is
to “provide quality, distinct, and creative housing
opportunities which preserve existing natural areas
and emulate the unique character of the United City of
Yorkville.” In addition, future residential development
should “provide a variety of housing types, as well as
opportunities for citizens to interact with each other,
their natural surroundings and the entire United
City of Yorkville.” Commercial land use objectives
stress the need to promote “market-sensitive”
development located in areas that meet the needs
of adjacent residential neighborhoods; interestingly,
downtown Yorkville is not assigned a particular land
use classification nor addressed in detail in the plan
document. Other aspects of the Comprehensive Plan
provide recommendations on promoting quality new
development, enhancing parks and environmentally
sensitive areas, conserving water, improving
neighborhoods, and planning efficiently and effectively
for new infrastructure investments. Transportation and
utilities are also accorded separate chapters.
2008 PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN
In 2008, the Parks and Recreation Department
completed a comprehensive assessment of its parks
and open space system in order to create a long-term
plan for future investments in parks and park facilities.
As part of the assessment, an analysis of community
demographics was undertaken along with a community
mail survey administered by Northern Illinois University.
In addition, all parks and park facilities were also
inventoried. Major Master Plan recommendations
include the future development of an indoor recreation
facility and a new park south of the Fox River.
Additional initiatives in creating new greenways and in
linking bike trails together throughout Yorkville were
other key recommendations made within the Master
Plan.
2005 Downtown Vision Plan2008 United City of Yorkville Comprehensive Plan
2005 DOWNTOWN VISION PLAN
In 2005, a Downtown Vision Plan was prepared to
help “improve the regional image and economic
base” and viability of downtown Yorkville. The Plan
evaluated several planning issues, including its housing,
business and employment mix, and provided a listing
of downtown strengths to its long-term revitalization,
among them being its ready access to the Fox River
waterfront, its intact street wall of historic commercial
buildings, adjacency to traditional neighborhoods
and its high traffic count along Illinois Route 47. Key
weaknesses include its lack of newer commercial
spaces, competition from nearby commercial areas,
and the distances between the downtown district
and outlying Yorkville subdivisions. Major plan
recommendations focus on downtown streetscape
improvements, the redevelopment of the Fox River
waterfront with a plaza space and additional community
facilities, the installation of a new “city green” along
the east side of Illinois Route 47 and the construction
of a new City Hall to the east of the city green. The
Vision Plan provides several schematic concepts for
downtown’s long-term development; implementation
actions and initiatives are not provided in the plan
document.
15
SECTION 1 - INTRODUCTION
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTUREDRAFT
2014 South Side Commercial District Market Study
2014 SOUTH SIDE COMMERCIAL DISTRICT MARKET STUDY
In July of 2014, driven by a desire to grow the retail
base on its South Side, the City of Yorkville engaged
The Retail Coach, LLC of Tupelo, Mississippi to provide
a South Side Commercial District Market Study. As
noted in the report that was delivered to the City,
The intent of this strategy was to provide a
better understanding of the Yorkville South
Side Commercial District’s retail opportunity
in order to provide a foundation for attracting
new retail development.
In its report, The Retail Coach defined a Yorkville South
Side Commercial District Primary Trade Area that
stretches generally north to south from U.S. 34 to U.S.
52 and east to west from Schlapp and McKanna Roads
to County Line Road and the Fox River. (Note that this
trade area is not contiguous with Yorkville’s municipal
boundary.) The report noted that the trade area
population currently stands at 18,504 and is expected
to grow to 18,991 by 2020. The median household
income within the trade area stands at $76,610.
Using this trade area as a basis for its investigation, the
report drew several key conclusions and made several
recommendations, summarized in the following bullet
points:
• The trade area is currently underserved by
retail.
• Retail categories in which particular
opportunity exists within the trade area include
the general merchandise, grocery, casual sit-
down restaurant, pharmacy and drug store, and
quick-service restaurant segments.
• While acknowledging that, due to existing
retail on the North Side, many retailers would
prefer to be located there, Retail Coach
recommends that Yorkville create a focus
on new retail development within the South
Side. The study noted that “[a]s residential
growth continues to grow in the South Side
Commercial District, retail growth will follow.”
• Retail Coach outlined a plan for Yorkville
to engage retailers’ interest in the South
Side Commercial District. Broadly, this plan
consists of a series of steps that include
attending regional and national trade shows,
continuing to foster close relationships with
property owners, and taking a proactive, long-
term approach while exercising patience and
perseverance.
• The report identified ten key undeveloped
or underdeveloped properties within the
South Side Commercial District to serve
as a starting point for growth efforts. The
properties, which range from 0.93 to 23.95
acres in size, are all located generally along the
Illinois 47 and Illinois 71 corridors. The report
summarized physical attributes, traffic counts,
and proximate retail for each site and provided
conclusions regarding the highest and best use
of each site.
Other plans, studies and memorandums related to
transportation and infrastructure were also reviewed as
part of this analysis phase. These include documents
from the City of Yorkville and other local and regional
agencies.
• Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
(CMAP) GO TO 2040 plan. The long-
range transportation plan for the Chicago
metropolitan planning organization
provided the background for major regional
transportation projects that will impact
Yorkville. Two regional projects would affect
Yorkville. The first is the proposed Prairie
Parkway, which would travel through southwest
Yorkville. Currently, planning for the Prairie
Parkway is on hold and no funding has been
earmarked for the project. The proposed
improvement remains a part of the regional
plan for future consideration. The second is the
proposed extension of the Metra BNSF Line. A
Yorkville commuter station would be planned
along the line. Preliminary Engineering and an
Environmental Assessment are currently being
conducted by Metra. Both projects are listed
in the unconstrained part of the plan. This
means that while these projects are included
in the long range plan, there is no funding
available for implementation. The regional plan
is updated every five years and the project
status will be reconsidered at that time.
• Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
Projects. IDOT prepares a multi-year plan and
manages a web page that serves as a resource
for identifying studies and projects currently
under way within Illinois. The multi-year plan
and website were visited to obtain information
for all projects and studies that will impact
Yorkville. Conversations also were conducted
with IDOT officials to determine the status of
state projects.
• Kendall County Highway Department.
The Kendall County Highway Department
was interviewed as part of the planning
process to identify and discuss all highway
projects managed by the County that impact
Yorkville. This included the identification of
the Wikaduke Trail, a planned multi-county
highway project located east of Yorkville that,
when completed, will connect Interstates 55
to 80 through Will, Kane, DuPage, and Kendall
Counties. The Eldamain Road Bridge over the
Fox River, while planned, is not programmed
for construction as of 2015.
• Boundary Agreements. Yorkville has
boundary agreements with neighboring
municipalities in order to manage growth
and development. Yorkville has agreements
with the municipalities of Plano, Sugar Grove,
Montgomery, and Oswego.
• City of Yorkville Capital Improvement
Program (2015-2019). The City of Yorkville’s
capital improvement program (CIP) was
reviewed to identify all capital needs regarding
transportation and utilities. City staff was
interviewed as part of the planning process to
identify capital needs.
• Integrated Transportation Plan (2009).
The City of Yorkville prepared an Integrated
Transportation Plan in 2009 that proposed a
multi modal transportation network. This plan,
which built off of recommendations from the
City’s 2008 Comprehensive Plan, was used to
identify bicycle, pedestrian, and automobile
needs for the City.
• City of Yorkville Memorandum dated
December 10, 2010 on Eldamain Road
Reconstruction – Intergovernmental
Agreement. This memorandum provided
information regarding the alignment of
Eldamain Road through Yorkville.
16
SECTION 2 - PLANNING PROCESS
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE DRAFT
SECTION 2 - PLANNING PROCESS
METHODOLOGY
Yorkville’s first Comprehensive Plan was completed in
1974 with updates in 1994, 2002, 2005, and 2008. The
2002 Comprehensive plan guided growth and decision
making for the community north of the Fox River, while
the 2005 Comprehensive Plan guided growth and
decision making for the community south of the Fox
River.
In the summer of 2007, it was decided by the Plan
Commission that given the population growth, in which
population had increased over two-fold since the last
Census in 2000 and was projected to continue steadily
increasing, the 2002 and 2005 comprehensive plans
needed to be updated. The Plan Commission also
recognized that the 2002 and 2005 comprehensive
plans should be merged into one cohesive document
for the entire Yorkville planning area. The 2008
Comprehensive Plan, in its present form, was approved
at the October 28, 2008 City Council meeting.
In August 2014, the United City of Yorkville, along with
community stakeholder groups and residents, initiated
an two-year planning process to update the 2008
Comprehensive Plan. The key purpose of the Plan was
to create a long-term vision and planning framework for
enhancing the community’s overall land use, economic
vitality, and physical appearance and image, along with
a set of practical implementation action strategies.
To facilitate the creation of the Comprehensive Plan
Update, the United City of Yorkville engaged a multi-
disciplinary planning team that included the following
firms:
• The Lakota Group
(Planning, Urban Design, Historic Preservation,
Landscape Architecture, Community Relations)
• Goodman Williams Group
(Market Analysis)
• T.Y. Lin International
(Transportation Engineering)
A Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee,
representing a broad-based segment of community
stakeholders, including local property owners and
residents, industries, merchants, civic institutions,
governmental agencies, and City leaders and officials,
was formed in January 2015 to help guide the Plan’s
development.
Beyond understanding Yorkville’s long-term future,
the Comprehensive Plan also seeks to assess
current conditions and propose strategies and
recommendations for the following Comprehensive
Plan elements:
• Land Use. Evaluate existing community land
uses and identify specific issues, constraints,
and opportunities to encouraging appropriate
land use patterns and development within
and near Yorkville’s corporate boundary and
extraterritorial jurisdiction.
• Regulatory Tools. Research and recommend
new zoning and regulatory tools that manage
and direct community growth and revitalization
in ways that promotes economic diversity
and vibrancy, and attractive places and
neighborhoods.
• Transportation Systems. Document and
analyze Yorkville’s current roadway network
and physical conditions as a method for
exploring opportunities for achieving network
efficiencies, roadway changes, and pedestrian
enhancements.
• Infrastructure and Capital Improvements.
Conduct an overview assessment of the
City’s sanitary, public utilities, and stormwater
management systems, and consider strategies
for long-term system maintenance and capital
improvements.
Remaining farmsteads within YorkvilleKendall County Courthouse in downtown Yorkville
17
SECTION 2 - PLANNING PROCESS
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTUREDRAFT
• Neighborhoods and Housing. Assess
and analyze the condition of residential
neighborhoods and the existing housing
stock in order to determine appropriate
planning strategies that address local housing
needs through new construction, housing
rehabilitation, and infill development.
• Commercial Areas and Corridors. Examine
planning and revitalization issues along the
commercial corridors, including building
and storefront improvements, business
and real estate development, and urban
design enhancements. Additionally, this
Comprehensive Plan will assess downtown
planning issues in depth and will develop
a Downtown Sub Area Plan as part of this
Comprehensive Plan.
• Economic/Market Assessment. Analyze and
understand market trends for commercial,
residential, and industrial development
within Yorkville as a basis for establishing
recommendations regarding future land use
and economic development scenarios. Several
market analysis components were consulted
and incorporated in this Comprehensive Plan’s
Market and Economic Conditions section.
• Parks and Open Space. Identify, protect, and
enhance Yorkville’s “green infrastructure” of
existing parks and natural systems, as well as
consider sustainable design initiatives that
reduces stormwater run-off and promotes
cleaner air and water.
• Agencies, Organizations, and Institutions.
Understand the current capacity of
governmental agencies and other
organizations and entities, including non-
profit groups and religious and educational
institutions to help implement various aspects
of the Comprehensive Plan.
• Implementation Strategy. Create a detailed
implementation strategy that prioritizes
specific planning actions, outlines roles and
responsibilities between the United City of
Yorkville and other agencies, organizations,
and entities, and identifies other stakeholders
and groups that could participate in
implementation efforts now and into the
future.
• Community Engagement. Undertake an
effective planning process that involves a
broad and diverse section of community
stakeholders in order to generate consensus
for the Comprehensive Plan’s long-range
development and revitalization vision, and
short-term action strategies and planning
recommendations.
Factory adapted as housing in downtown Yorkville Bicentennial Riverfront Park, downtown Yorkville
18
SECTION 2 - PLANNING PROCESS
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE DRAFT
Figure 2.1 - Phase 1 Timeline
The planning process for creating the Comprehensive
Plan Update involved three distinct phases: a “State
of the City” / Community Engagement phase where
an assessment of existing conditions was conducted
by the planning team and a preliminary set of planning
goals were developed with input from the community; a
“visioning” phase where preliminary planning strategies
and concepts will be developed and presented for
community feedback; and, a final plan-making phase in
which planning goals, strategies, and implementation
action steps are to be developed by the planning team
in collaboration with the community, and accepted
and adopted by the City. The last two phases of the
planning process are expected to be completed by
June 2016.
PHASE 1: STATE OF THE CITY
(SEPTEMBER 2014 - JULY 2015)
The first phase, initiated in September 2014,
comprised a comprehensive assessment of Yorkville’s
existing conditions in the following areas: land use,
transportation, infrastructure, parks and open space,
community facilities, neighborhoods and housing, and
commercial and industrial areas. The planning team also
reviewed relevant planning documents and policies,
assessed the community’s existing demographics
and economic development activities, and defined
challenges and opportunities on achieving short-term
and long-range planning and revitalization goals.
Phase 1 also included various focus group and
stakeholder interview sessions to gain public input
and insight regarding critical planning issues. Field
work activities were also conducted. Field work,
document analyses, and review of interview and focus
group session proceedings were incorporated into
this Existing Conditions Report. The Report will be
subsequently reviewed by the Steering Committee with
final draft delivered to the United City of Yorkville in
July 2015.
Phase 1 included the following specific activities:
• Project Start Meeting and City Tour
(September 19, 2014)
A meeting with City staff was conducted to
initiate the planning process and to discuss
specific items related to the overall project
schedule, and the scheduling of stakeholder
and focus group interview sessions.
• Previous Plans/Studies Review
A review of previous comprehensive
plans, planning reports, facility studies,
demographics, and local development
regulations was conducted by the planning
team. These reports and studies are
summarized in Section 3 on Community
Context.
• Stakeholder Listening Sessions
(October - December 2014)
Several interview and focus group sessions
were conducted over a two-month period with
various community stakeholders, including City
officials and department heads and the local
schools.
STEERING
COMMITTEE
MEETING / PUBLIC
INPUT SUMMARY
MAY 21, 2014
DRAFT STATE
OF THE CITY
REPORT
JUNE 25, 2015
FINAL STATE
OF THE CITY
REPORT
JULY 30, 2015
STEERING
COMMITTEE
MEETING
JULY 16, 2015
20152014
SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL
PROJECT
START
MEETING/
CITY TOUR
SEPTEMBER
19, 2014
ADDITIONAL
FIELDWORK
MARCH 26,
2015
ADDITIONAL
FIELDWORK
APRIL 8,
2015
STEERING
COMMITTEE
MEETING
JANUARY
22, 2015
FIELD WORK
+ ADDITIONAL
INTERVIEWS
FEBRUARY
19, 2015
STAKEHOLDER
INTERVIEWS +
TRAINING SESSION
NOVEMBER
10, 2014
STAKEHOLDER
INTERVIEWS
DECEMBER
11, 2014
CITY
DEPARTMENTS
INTERVIEW
SESSION
OCTOBER
16, 2014
PROJECT
WEBSITE
LAUNCH
SEPTEMBER
25, 2014
PROJECT
START PHASE 1: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT / STATE OF THE CITY REPORT
MAY JUNE JULY
COMMUNITY
SPEAK-OUT
WORKSHOP #1
APRIL 16,
2015
• Team Fieldwork
The planning team visited Yorkville several
times between September 2014 and March
2015 to observe and assess existing conditions
within the community.
• Community Speak-Out (April 16,2015)
A community workshop was organized and
conducted on April 16, 2015 to solicit feedback
through interactive exercises from the
community on critical community planning
issues. Over 30 people attended the workshop.
• State of the City Report
Following the assessment and analysis of
planning issues and existing conditions, the
planning team prepared the State of the
City Report, which summarizes Yorkville’s key
strengths, challenges, and opportunities for its
long-range development and growth.
19
SECTION 2 - PLANNING PROCESS
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTUREDRAFT
PARKS/OPEN SPACE
PLANNING AREA
Illinois Municipal Code states that a Plan Commission
has the authority to prepare and recommend a
comprehensive plan for present and future growth
and redevelopment to be adopted by the City. The
Comprehensive Plan, “may be made applicable, by the
terms thereof, to land situated within the corporate
limits and contiguous territory not more than one and
one half miles beyond the corporate limits and not
included in any municipality” (65 ILCS 5/11 - 12 - 5).
Given this and the existing and proposed boundary
agreements with surrounding municipalities (Millbrook,
Montgomery, Oswego, Plano, and Sugar Grove), the
United City of Yorkville Planning Area is generally,
US 30 to the north, Boundary Agreement lines with
Montgomery and Oswego (north of the Fox River) and
Grove Road (south of the Fox River) to the east, Helmar
Road to the south, and Eldamain Road (north of the Fox
River) and Highpoint Road (south of the Fox River) to
the west. This area encompasses approximately 47,726
acres, or approximately 74.6 square miles.
Figure 2.3 - Planning Area
Figure 2.1: Planning Area Map
RIVERS/STREAMSTRADITIONAL
NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER
Legend - Planning Area
YORKVILLE BOUNDARY
PLANNING AREA
TRDAITIONAL CENTER
After the State of the City Report is delivered and
feedback is received from the Steering Committee and
Yorkville community, the following two phases will be
undertaken to complete the planning process:
PHASE 2: COMMUNITY VISIONING
(JULY - SEPTEMBER 2015)
The second phase of the planning process will involve
the creation and development of specific planning
concepts and land use strategies that enhance
Yorkville’s physical appearance, transportation
and infrastructure options, and overall economic
environment. As part of the visioning process,
planning concepts will be presented for discussion
and consideration during a community workshop.
Afterward, planning concepts will be refined into a draft
Comprehensive Plan Update Report.
PHASE 3: FINAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
(SEPTEMBER 2015 - JUNE 2016)
Based on the information analysis and community
input gathered from the first two phases of the
planning process, the final phase will involve the
refinement of preliminary planning concepts and
implementation strategies into a Final Comprehensive
Plan Update. Specific site studies and illustrations will
also be prepared for feasible development sites within
Yorkville.
20
SECTION 3 - LAND USES
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE DRAFT
Figure 3.1 - Existing Land Uses North of the Fox River
EXISTING LAND USE
This section describes the existing land use conditions
within the United City of Yorkville, and provides
a specific focus on the types of uses that exist in
particular areas, its relevant zoning, and the overall
quality of the built environment and surroundings. The
information and data provided in this section has been
obtained through field work and visual assessment, and
analysis of existing land use maps and other data.
Land use is typically the central element of a
comprehensive plan since it establishes the
community’s overall urban form and physical
configuration, including where specific land uses are
located and how transportation and infrastructure
systems are designed and instituted to support those
land uses. Yorkville’s land use pattern and the physical
conditions in which those uses are found serve as the
basis point for determining a future land use map and
land use policies that will guide both public and private
users of the land.
Figures 3.1 and 3.2 exhibit the existing land use
conditions within Yorkville’s planning area. The map
was prepared using the City’s Geographic Information
System (GIS) and field review of existing land use along
with an analysis of entitled and proposed development
areas and subdivisions within Yorkville. The Existing
Land Use Map is used in understanding current land
use conditions and in determining future land use
directions.
SECTION 3 - YORKVILLE LAND USE Figure 3.1: Existing Land Uses North of the Fox River
An important step in the formulation of a Comprehensive Plan is an analysis of existing land uses. This analysis not
only identifies what and where particular uses have occurred, but highlights where future development might occur
and where land use conflicts may exist or develop. The existing land use calculations provided in this chapter will also
allow for a comparison with future land use calculations to determine the extent of land that is available for future
land development.
Land use categories have been divided into seven land
use classifications: Residential, Commercial, Office,
Industrial, Public/Quasi Public, Park/Open Space, and
Agricultural.
Residential: Classifies all residential properties and
developments and includes residential in agricultural
areas which are on a separate parcel than the primary
agricultural use.
Commercial: Identifies all existing commercial areas
including the downtown and corridor commercial areas.
Office: Classifies all existing office uses, including areas
along Illinois Route 47 and Schoolhouse Road.
Industrial: Identifies all existing industrial areas.
Public/Quasi Public: Classifies all existing
governmental buildings and institutions, including the
Kendall County government complexes, United City of
Yorkville facilities, the Public Library, and local schools
and churches.
Park/Open Space: Identifies all existing parks,
recreational facilities and conserved open space.
Agricultural: Lands not classified as any of the
previous existing land uses listed above is considered
agricultural.
Legend - Existing Land Use
YORKVILLE BOUNDARY RESIDENTIAL OFFICE PUBLIC / QUAI-PUBLIC AGRICULTURAL
PLANNING AREA COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL PARK / OPEN SPACE RIVERS / STREAMS
21
SECTION 3 - LAND USES
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTUREDRAFT
Figure 3.2 - Existing Land Uses South of the Fox River
Figure 3.2: Existing Land Uses South of the Fox River
22
SECTION 3 - LAND USES
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE DRAFT
RESIDENTIAL: 18.8%
LAND USES WITHIN THE PLANNING AREA
Land use in Yorkville can also be described and
analyzed according to what exists within the Planning
Area and its Municipal Boundary, given that the
Planning Boundary covers a more extensive land
area. The distribution of various land uses within the
Yorkville Planning Area are summarized in Table 3.1 and
illustrated in Graph 3.1.
The predominate land use in the Planning Area is
agricultural with 32,531 acres of land (71.9 percent),
largely due to the inclusion of extensive agricultural
land south of Yorkville’s municipal boundaries to
Helmar Road, east to Grove Road, and west along
Stagecoach Road. A significant portion of agricultural
COMMERCIAL: 1.9%
OFFICE: 0.2%
AGRICULTURAL: 71.9%PARK / OPEN SPACE: 5,6%
PUBLIC / QUASI-PUBLIC: 0.8%
INDUSTRIAL: 0.9%
LAND USE AREA (ACRES)PERCENTAGE
Planning Area 45,251 100%
Residential 8,494 18.8%
Business 932 2.1%
Commercial 849 1.9%
Office 83 0.2%
Industrial 419 0.9%
Public/Quasi-Public 349 0.8%
School/Institution 187 0.4%
Church 52 0.1%
Government 110 0.2%
Park/Open Space 2,526 5.6%
Agricultural 32,531 71.9%
Graph 3.1 - Existing Land Use within the Planning Area
Table 3.1: Existing Land Uses within the Planning Area
Graph 3.1: Existing Land Uses within the Planning Area
land can also be found north and west of Yorkville’s
municipal boundaries to Baseline and Eldamain Roads.
This percentage of agricultural land still largely reflects
the agricultural nature of unincorporated Kendall
County. Other significant land uses include residential
at 8,494 acres (18.8 percent), reflecting the mostly
residential character of incorporated Yorkville, and
parks and open space at 2,526 acres (5.6 percent),
which includes the municipal parks and recreational
facilities along with Kendall County Forest Preserve
land. Other land uses, including commercial, industrial
and public/quasi-public, comprise less than five percent
of the remaining land uses in the Planning Area.
Agricultural Land UsesResidential Land Uses
23
SECTION 3 - LAND USES
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTUREDRAFT
LAND USES WITHIN THE MUNICIPAL BOUNDARY
The distribution of the various land uses within the
Yorkville Municipal Boundary are summarized in Table
3.2 and illustrated in Graph 3.2.
Within the Municipal Boundary, agricultural use still
predominates as the major land use although in less
proportion at 5,348 acres (45.1 percent) than in the
Planning Area. Residential land use is the second
most predominate land use category at 3,940 acres
(33.2 percent), again reflecting Yorkville’s overall
residential character. As opposed to the Planning Area,
RESIDENTIAL: 33.2%COMMERCIAL: 6.2%
OFFICE: 0.7%
AGRICULTURAL: 45.1%PARK / OPEN SPACE: 8.9%
PUBLIC / QUASI-PUBLIC: 2.5%
INDUSTRIAL: 3.5%
LAND USE AREA (ACRES)PERCENTAGE
Municipal Boundary 11,870 100%
Residential 3,940 33.2%
Business 815 6.9%
Commercial 732 6.2%
Office 83 0.7%
Industrial 410 3.5%
Public/Quasi-Public 298 2.5%
School/Institution 143 1.2%
Church 52 0.4%
Government 103 0.9%
Park/Open Space 1,059 8.9%
Agricultural 5,348 45.1%
Graph 3.2 - Existing Land Use within the Municipal Boundary
Table 3.2: Existing Land Uses within the Municipal Boundary
Graph 3.2: Existing Land Uses within the Municipal Boundary
commercial, office and industrial land use account for
a slightly larger portion of the overall land use pattern
with commercial and office comprising 815 acres (6.9
percent) and industrial 410 acres (3.5 percent) of total
land area. In addition, public/quasi-public, and parks
and open space also encompass an increased portion of
land area at 298 acres (2.5 percent) and 1,059 acres (8.9)
respectively. Irrespective of the agricultural land within
the Municipal Boundary, the overall Yorkville land use
mix appears to be fairly balanced between residential,
commercial, and public/quasi-public uses.
Park/Open Space Land UsesCommercial Land Uses
24
SECTION 3 - LAND USES
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE DRAFT
Figure 3.3 - Zoning Districts North of the Fox River
Legend - Zoning Districts
YORKVILLE BOUNDARY E-1 - ESTATE RESIDENCE R-3 - Multifamily
ATTACHED RESIDENCE B-1 - LOCAL BUSINESS M-1 - LIMITED
MANUFACTURING
PLANNING AREA R-1 - SINGLE-FAMLY
SUBURBAN RESIDENCE
R-4 - GENERAL MULTI-
FAMILY RESIDENCE
B-2 - RETAIL
COMMERCE BUSINESS
M-2 - GENERAL
MANUFACTURING
FOREST PRESERVE
A-1 - AGRICULTURAL
R-2 - SINGLE-FAMILY
TRADITIONAL RESIDENCE
R-2D - TWO-FAMILY
ATTACHED RESIDENCE
PUD - PLANNED UNIT
DEVELOPMENT
O - OFFICE
B-3 - GENERAL BUSINESS
B-4 - SERVICE
OS-1 - OPEN SPACE
(PASSIVE)
OS-2 - OPEN SPACE
(RECREATIONAL)
ZONING DISTRICTS
The United City of Yorkville adopted a new Zoning
Ordinance on November 25, 2014. While there have
been many individual text amendments to the Zoning
Ordinance over the years, a revision of the entire
ordinance has not been undertaken since the Zoning
Ordinance was last adopted in its entirety in 1974.
Yorkville is has 17 different zoning district classifications,
including:
• A-1 Agricultural District
• OS-1 Open Space (Passive) District
• OS-2 Open Space (Recreational) District
• E-1 Estate District
• R-1 Single-Family Suburban Residence District
• R-2 Single-Family Traditional Residence District
• R-2 Duplex, Two-Family Attached Residence
District
• R-3 Multifamily Attached Residence District
• R-4 General Multifamily Residence District
• O Office District
• B-1 Local Business District
• B-2 Retail Commerce Business District
• B-3 General Business District
• B-4 Service Business District
• M-1 Limited Manufacturing District
• M-2 General Manufacturing District
• PUD Planned Unit Development District
ZONING DISTRICT ACRES %
Municipal Boundary 11,942 100.0%
Residential Zoning Districts 7,259 61%
E-1 Estate District 311 2.6%
R-1 Single-Family Suburban
Residence District 454 3.8%
R-2 Single-Family Traditional
Residence District 5,161 43.2%
R-2 Duplex, Two-Family
Attached Residence District 143 1.2%
R-3 Multifamily Attached
Residence District 740 6.2%
R-4 General Multifamily
Residence District 450 3.8%
Business Zoning Districts 1,296 11%
O Office District 82 0.7%
B-1 Local Business District 4 0.03%
B-2 Retail Commerce
Business District 84 0.7%
B-3 General Business District 1125 9.4%
B-4 Service Business District 1 0.01%
Manufacturing Zoning Districts 1,049 9%
M-1 Limited Manufacturing District 663 5.6%
M-2 General Manufacturing District 386 3.2%
Open Space Zoning Districts 303 3%
OS-1 Open Space
(Passive) District 92 0.8%
OS-2 Open Space
(Recreational) District 211 1.8%
A-1 Agricultural District 1008 8.4%
PUD Planned Unit
Development District 919 7.7%
Forest Preserve 108 0.9%
Figure 3.3: Zoning Districts North of the Fox RiverTable 3.3: Zoning Districts
25
SECTION 3 - LAND USES
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTUREDRAFT
Figure 3.4: Zoning Districts South of the Fox River
Figure 3.4: Zoning Districts South of the Fox River
26
SECTION 3 - LAND USES
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE DRAFT
RESIDENTIAL LAND USE
Within the Planning Area, Yorkville’s residential areas
comprises 8,494 acres, which represents 18.8 percent
of Yorkville’s total land area. This section summarizes
general residential land use and market conditions.
EXISTING RESIDENTIAL AREAS
In general, Yorkville’s single family residential stock
represents the community’s most significant land
use in terms of acreage next to agricultural. Single
family neighborhoods can largely be characterized as
consisting of the traditional neighborhoods both north
and south of the Fox River that developed from the
mid to late 1800s, when Yorkville and Bristol were first
founded, to the 1940s and 50s, and the relatively newer
annexed developments located north, south, east and
west of the Traditional Neighborhood Center.
The Traditional Neighborhood Center is bounded
generally by Somonauk and Center Streets on the
north, Liberty Street to the east, Orange and Blaine
Streets to the south, and Morgan and Mill Streets south
of the Fox River to the west and east respectively. In
this area, the housing stock can be described as older,
vernacular housing types and styles ranging from
Gable-Fronts and Upright and Wings to Queen Anne’s
and Ranch homes that were mostly built after World
War II. Split levels Ranches and newer homes can
be found on select lots and locations. Lot sizes in the
Traditional Neighborhood Center are typically 7,000
square feet with fairly consistent setbacks and building
placement, although there is some informality to the
arrangement of houses on each block. Infrastructure
conditions, including sidewalks and streets, are in
good condition although some sidewalks are missing
on block faces that have steep grade differences. The
housing stock in the Traditional Neighborhood Center
is a unique character-defining area of Yorkville and
provides a tangible link to the community’s first years
and decades of development. Such homes could be
a selling point for those seeking housing stock near
a traditional, walkable downtown and recreational
amenities.
Figure 3.5 - Existing Residential Land Use Areas North of the Fox River
SUBDIVISION KEY ACRES LOTS
Grande Reserve 1 956 1,365
Whispering Meadows 2 297 295
Bristol Bay 3 292 626
Fox Hill 4 149 467
Autumn Creek 5 250 424
Prairie Meadows 6 139 164
Heartland Circle 7 129 261
Caledonia 8 85 145
Heartland 9 85 184
Kylan's Ridge 10 70 134
Blackberry Woods 11 60 139
Cannonball Estates 12 57 110
Kendall Marketplace 13 55 1
Cimarron Ridge 14 24 68
B&P Properties 15 14 1
Reserve at Fox River 16 8 1
York Meadow Apartments 17 8 1
Countryside Center 18 106 177
Countryside 19 21 144
Lynwood 20 -112
Willowbrook 21 -104
Woodworth Estates 22 33 92
Fox River Gardens 23 -86
Bristol (Original Town)24 44 85
Prairie Lands 25 26 82
Blackberry Creek North 26 45 77
Prairie Park 27 20 77
Longford Lakes 28 14 62
Figure 3.5: Existing Residential Land Use Areas North of the Fox RiverTable 3.5: Existing Residential Land Use Areas
1
2
10
13
12
8
15
3
4
11
20
21
22
25
27
26
24 23
14
5
6
7
9
16
28
17
18
19
27
SECTION 3 - LAND USES
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTUREDRAFT
Figure 3.6 - Existing Residential Land Use Areas South of the Fox River
SUBDIVISION KEY ACRES LOTS
Raintree Village 29 298 654
Prestwick of Yorkville 30 192 108
Windett Ridge 31 158 259
Hudson Lakes 32 142 1
White Oak Estates 33 119 94
Rivers Edge 34 100 166
Greenbriar 35 76 174
Tanglewood Trails 36 68 1
Country Hills 37 66 168
Sunflower Estates 38 61 117
Kendallwood Estates 39 53 83
Wildwood 40 42 41
Fox Highlands 41 36 54
Briarwood 42 19 40
Wynstone Townhomes 43 13 1
Windmill Farms 44 9 1
Kleinwachter 45 5 1
Fields of Farm Colony 46 -125
Farm Colony 47 -89
Miller Subdivision 48 10 83
Foxlawn 49 -82
Black’s Addition 50 36 78
Yorkville (Original Town)51 22 73
Oak Creek 52 -64
Pavilion Heights 53 -64
Prairie Garden 54 20 58
Timber Creek 55 -53
Edgewood 56 10 48
Figure 3.6: Existing Residential Land Use Areas South of the Fox RiverTable 3.6: Existing Residential Land Use Areas
29 30
31
3956
40
41
43
45
48
46
47
52
44
36
55
53
37
38
32
33 50
51
34
49 35
42
54
Outside of the Traditional Neighborhood Center, the
newer annexed residential developments date mostly
within the last four decades and comprise a mix of
housing types from single-family to attached duplexes
and townhomes representing, for the most part, a mix
between neo-Colonial and Ranch home styles. Lot sizes
are larger than in the Traditional Neighborhood Center
with 9,500 square foot lots found in most subdivisions
such as Bristol Bay to 10,000 square feet in the Grande
Reserve, Yorkville’s largest residential subdivision.
These areas include newer roads and sidewalks, most
with parks and bike and recreational trails incorporated
in the subdivision design. A few subdivisions include
clubhouses and other amenities.
Streets and rights-of-way vary in the subdivisions with
70’ right-of-ways on residential streets in Bristol Bay
to 90’ in Grande Reserve. This contrasts to 50’ to
60’ street right-of-way dimensions in the Traditional
Neighborhood Center. The detail of residential
design varies from subdivision to subdivision, some
incorporating a higher level of landscaping and
site treatments than others. Foundation plantings
are sometimes missing and side elevations often
do not include window openings, contributing to a
monotonous appearance in some subdivisions.
Traditional Single-Family Residential near downtown Yorkville
28
SECTION 3 - LAND USES
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE DRAFT
HOUSING CONDITIONS AND
RESIDENTIAL MARKET OPPORTUNITIES
This section examines the characteristics of the
City of Yorkville’s existing housing stock as well as
housing unit occupancy and affordability. It further
investigates recent residential construction trends and
current conditions within the City’s housing market.
Conclusions are presented related to the needs,
challenges, and opportunities of the residential sector
in Yorkville.
HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS
Commensurate with the explosive growth of the
City throughout the opening decade of the 21st
century, nearly 59 percent of Yorkville’s homes were
built between 2000 and 2009. During this period,
builders added an astonishing 3,700+ homes to the
City’s housing stock. Another 12 percent of homes
within the City were built during the 1990s, when
the outward-moving path of development within the
Chicago metropolitan area first made serious inroads
into Kendall County. Not surprisingly given its growth
pattern, Yorkville has few older homes, with just 13.6
percent of the City’s housing stock built prior to 1970.
Demographic Trends
2000 2010 2014 (est)Change %
2000-2014
Total Population 6,189 16,921 17,878 + 173.4%
Total Households 2,220 5,912 6,240 + 166.3%
Family Households 1,665 4,389 4,773 + 163.6%
Average Household Size 2.76 2.84 2.85 + 2.9%
Total Housing Units 2,931 6,353 6,728 + 116.8%
Explosive growth changed the face of Yorkville in the decade of the 2000s. The City added nearly 11,000 residents and 3,500 housing units.
2000 2014
2,931 6,728 +116.8%
2.76 2.85 +2.9%
1,665 4,773 +163.6%
2,220 6,240 +166.3%
6,189 17,878 +173.4%
Housing Units by Year Built
Total Housing Units 6,304 100.0%
2010 or Later 138 2.2%
2000-2009 3,704 58.8%
1990-1999 753 11.9%
1980-1989 389 6.2%
1970-1979 464 7.4%
1960-1969 183 2.9%
1950-1959 157 2.5%
1940-1949 127 2.0%
1939 or Earlier 389 6.2%
Nearly 60% of housing units in Yorkville were built in the years between 2000 and 2009.
19
3
9
o
r
E
a
r
l
i
e
r
19
4
0
-
1
9
4
9
19
5
0
-
1
9
5
9
19
7
0
-
1
9
7
9
19
8
0
-
1
9
8
9
19
9
0
-
1
9
9
9
2000-2009
58.8%20
1
0
o
r
L
a
t
e
r
19
6
0
-
1
9
6
9
Fox River Subdivision Multifamily Residential Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
29
SECTION 3 - LAND USES
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTUREDRAFT
Housing Unit Tenure & Occupancy
Yorkville Kendall
County Illinois
Total Housing Units 6,304 40,415 5,291,704
Occupied Housing Units 5,835 38,075 4,772,723
Vacant 469 2,340 518,981
Percent 7.4%5.8%9.8%
Owner-Occupied 4,360 31,847 3,220,038
Percent 74.7%83.6%67.5%
Renter-Occupied 1,475 6,228 1,552,685
Percent 25.3%16.4%32.5%
Nearly three quarters of Yorkville’s occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
This is higher than Illinois as a whole, but significantly lower than Kendall County as a whole.
Yorkville Kendall County Illinois
Owner-
Occupied
74.7%
Owner-
Occupied
83.6%
Owner-
Occupied
67.5%
Housing Units by Type
Total Housing Units 6,304 100.0%
Single Family Detached 3,803 60.3%
Single Family Attached 1,134 18.0%
Multifamily 1,329 21.1%
Mobile Home 38 0.6%
More than 78% of Yorkville’s housing units are single family homes.
Single Family Detached
60.3%
Single Family Attached
18.0%
Multifamily
21.1%
Mo
b
i
l
e
H
o
m
e
0
.
6
%
By the most recent U.S. Census estimates, there are
6,304 housing units within the City of Yorkville, of
which 5,835 are occupied. The resulting vacancy rate
(7.4 percent) is somewhat higher than Kendall County
as a whole, at 5.8 percent, but is not considered
imbalanced.
Yorkville’s housing stock consists overwhelmingly of
single family, detached units, which make up more than
60 percent of homes within the City. Single family
attached units (i.e., “single address” attached forms
such as duplexes and townhomes) make up another 18
percent of the City’s housing units. Multifamily units
make up just 21 percent of the City’s housing units,
while mobile homes and non-traditional housing forms
have a negligible presence within the City.
Like other exurban areas across the country, the vast
majority of Yorkville householders own their homes.
Nearly three quarters of occupied homes in Yorkville
are owner-occupied, compared to just over two-thirds
for Illinois as a whole. However, the City’s rate of
owner-occupancy is lower than Kendall County as a
whole, where nearly 84 percent of homes are owner-
occupied.
Single-Family Residential in the Heartland Subdivision
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
30
SECTION 3 - LAND USES
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE DRAFT
Yorkville’s owner-occupied housing stock is
comparatively high in value. By U.S. Census estimates,
the median value of owner-occupied homes in Yorkville
stood at $234,100 for the 2009-2013 period (adjusted
to 2013 dollars). This is 11 percent higher than Kendall
County as a whole and more than 28 percent higher
than the State of Illinois. Reflective of the relative
homogeneity of the City’s housing stock, nearly 44
percent of all owner-occupied homes in Yorkville are
valued between $200,000 and $300,000. Meanwhile,
less than seven percent of homes in the City are
valued at less than $100,000, compared to nearly 23
percent for the state as a whole. At the other end of
the spectrum, Yorkville has very few homes valued at
$500,000 or more.
HOUSING COSTS AND AFFORDABILITY
Of Yorkville’s 1,424 renter households, nearly 68
percent pay between $750 and $1,250 per month,
while just 12.3 percent pay $1,500 or more per month.
The estimated median monthly gross rent within the
City stands at $1,064. Meanwhile, nearly 49 percent
of owner households have housing costs (inclusive
of mortgage principal and interest, property tax,
insurance, utilities, and homeowners association fees)
of $1,750 to $2,500 per month. Another 30 percent
have housing costs above $2,500 per month, while the
median for all 3,674 owner households City-wide is
$2,149.
Government measures typically use 30 percent of
annual income as a threshold for housing affordability.
In other words, a home is considered affordable if its
associated annual housing costs do not exceed 30
percent of the resident’s annual household income.
As shown in the following table, data from the U.S.
Census suggest that roughly 50 percent of Yorkville’s
renter-occupied homes are affordable to those who
rent them, while 60 percent of owner-occupied homes
are affordable for their owners. Roughly 24 percent
of renter and owner households have a relatively low
housing cost burden equating to 20 percent or less of
annual income. However, nearly 39 percent of renter
and 28 percent of owner households have a high cost
burden equating to 35 percent or more of annual
income.
Graph 3.3: Owner-Occupied Housing Units by Value
Table 3.7: Households by Monthly Housing Costs Table 3.8: Households by Tenure & Housing Affordability
Source: U.S. Census Bureau Source: U.S. Census Bureau and Goodman Williams Group
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
HOUSEHOLDS WITH CASH RENT HOUSEHOLDS WITH A MORTGAGE
GROSS RENT NO.%OWNERSHIP
COST NO.%
Less than $500 70 4.9 Less than $1,000 58 1.6
$500 - $749 78 5.5 $1,000 - $1,249 227 6.2
$750 - $999 427 30.0 $1,500 - $1,749 495 13.5
$1,000 - $1,249 535 37.6 $1,750 - $1,999 751 20.4
$1,250 - $1,499 125 8.8 $2,000 - $2,499 1,027 28.0
$1,500 - $1,999 174 12.2 $2,500 - $2,999 557 15.2
$2,000 or More 15 1.1 $3,000 or More 559 15.2
Total 1,424 100.0 Total 3,674 100.0
Median $1,064 Median $2,149
ANNUAL HOUSING
COST % OF
HOUSEHOLDS
WITH CASH RENT
HOUSEHOLDS
WITH A MORTGAGE
NO.%NO.%
Less than 20.0%339 23.8 872 23.7
20.0 - 24.9%257 18.0 824 22.4
25.0 - 29.9%114 8.0 500 13.6
30.0 - 34.9%165 11.6 464 12.6
35% or More 549 38.6 1,014 27.6
Total 1,424 100.0 3,674 100.0
At Affordable Level 710 49.9 2,196 59.8
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
Pe
r
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e
n
t
o
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r
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d
h
o
u
s
i
n
g
u
n
i
t
s
United City of Yorkville
Kendall County
State of Illinois
≤$50,000 $50,000-$99,999 $100,000-$149,999 $150,000-$199,999 $200,000-$299,999 $300,000-$499,999 $500,000-$999,999 ≥$1,000,000
31
SECTION 3 - LAND USES
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTUREDRAFT
EXISTING HOME SALES TRENDS
The number of sales of existing homes in Yorkville
listed and sold through the area Multiple Listing
Service (MLS) fell dramatically after 2007 and remained
at cyclical lows during the recessionary years of 2008
to 2009. The median price of homes sold likewise
declined during these years. While the market has
now recovered much of its strength in terms of overall
sales volumes, median sale prices remain more than
$50,000 below pre-recession levels. In this, Yorkville is
not alone, as a similar pattern is seen in the surrounding
municipalities of Oswego, Montgomery, and Plano.
FORECLOSURE TRENDS
According to data from RealtyTrac, 160 homes are in
some state of foreclosure within Yorkville – equating
to one in every 424 housing units. This is roughly
equivalent to the Kendall County rate of one in
every 400 housing units. While foreclosures remain
a challenge, new foreclosure filings have fallen
dramatically in recent quarters. For April 2015, for
example (the most recent month reported), the number
of homeowners who received a foreclosure filing
fell 31 percent compared to the previous year. From
a wider area perspective, the number of homes in
foreclosure in Yorkville is much lower than in Plano and
Montgomery, but significantly higher than in Oswego.
Median Sale Price of MLS-Listed Single Family Homes
Montgomery Oswego Plano Yorkville
2007 $192,000 $245,000 $172,250 $251,200
2008 $187,500 $244,850 $161,400 $252,500
2009 $158,700 $210,000 $120,000 $209,000
2010 $150,000 $200,500 $107,800 $186,950
2011 $125,000 $194,000 $88,500 $166,500
2012 $125,200 $174,000 $78,250 $155,000
2013 $135,000 $190,000 $89,900 $185,000
2014 $145,000 $207,000 $112,500 $190,700
After 2009, area single family home sales began to recover, though median sales prices continued to decline through 2012.
While prices have risen considerably since then, they still remain well below 2007 levels. $
$1
2
5
,
0
0
0
$1
8
7
,
5
0
0
$2
5
0
,
0
0
0
$6
2
,
5
0
0
0
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Table 3.9: Foreclosure Trends
Source: Local Realtor Data
Source: RealtyTrac
MUNICIPALITY
HOMES IN
FORECLOSURE Y-O-Y
CHANGE %TOTAL RATIO
Yorkville 160 1 in 424 -31.0
Plano 107 1 in 296 -36.0
Montgomery 198 1 in 284 -13.0
Oswego 185 1 in 644 -55.0
Kendall Co.N/A 1 in 400 -35.0
Traditional Single-Family Residential Housing in downtown Yorkville
32
SECTION 3 - LAND USES
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE DRAFT
Building Permit Issuances
Single-Family Multifamily Total
1996 93 41 134
1997 54 12 66
1998 50 0 50
1999 82 25 107
2000 127 16 143
2001 198 54 252
2002 299 56 355
2003 388 12 400
2004 474 0 474
2005 588 96 684
2006 809 176 985
2007 413 96 509
2008 158 0 158
2009 64 0 64
2010 42 6 48
2011 43 0 43
2012 67 0 67
2013 81 0 81
2014 74 0 74
Residential construction activity in Yorkville has returned to 1990s levels.
Almost no multifamily construction has taken place in the City since 2007.
Single
Family
Multi-
Family
50
0
75
0
1,
0
0
0
25
00
RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION TRENDS
With the onset of the building boom of the early
2000s, new home construction activity in Yorkville (as
measured by residential building permit issuances)
skyrocketed, with annual permit issuances growing
from just 143 units in 2000 to nearly 700 five years
later. Permitting levels peaked in 2006 at nearly 1,000
single and multifamily units, then fell dramatically with
the impact of the housing market crisis. By 2010, the
market had bottomed out, and just 42 permits were
issued in total – a 95 percent drop peak to trough.
Construction volumes have yet to recover to anything
approaching the building boom years and, in fact, have
not risen above 100 units annually since 2008. Current
levels thus represent a return to those last seen in the
latter half of the 1990s.
Not surprisingly, given the relatively homogeneity of
Yorkville’s single family home stock, multifamily units
have historically made up a very small percentage of
new home construction within the City. After a period
from 2005 to 2007, which saw the construction of the
Reserve at Fox River income-restricted apartment
development and a number of condominium flats in the
Bristol Bay for-sale community, virtually no multifamily
construction has occurred.
THE NEW HOME MARKET TODAY
Yorkville has executed annexation agreements on 44
residential developments, most in the late 1990s and
early 2000s. Of these developments, just 12 are fully
built out. The remaining 31 developments fall into three
categories:
• Those consisting of undeveloped agricultural
land;
• Those with completed roadway and utility
infrastructure that are considered dormant (i.e.,
in which homes are not currently being built);
and
• Those with completed infrastructure in which
homes are currently being built, considered
active.
Single-Family Residential Housing adjacent to Agricultural Land
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
33
SECTION 3 - LAND USES
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTUREDRAFT
Active New Home Developments
Development Product Type Total Units
Entitled Units Built Units Not
Yet Built
Percent
Built Out
Autumn Creek Single Family 317 270 47 85.2%
Blackberry Woods Single Family 132 34 98 25.8%
Briarwood Single Family 41 19 22 46.3%
Country Hills Single Family 138 27 111 19.6%
Heartland Circle Single Family 250 216 34 86.4%
Heartland Meadows Single Family 47 0 47 0.0%
Prairie Meadows Single Family 164 116 48 70.7%
Windett Ridge Single Family 277 122 155 44.0%
Total ---1,366 804 562 58.9%
Eight residential developments are currently active in Yorkville, representing 1,366 entitled homes.
At post-recession construction levels, the 515 homes not yet built represent a supply of more than eight years.
16
0
24
0
32
0
800
Autumn Creek
Blackberry Woods
Briarwood
Country Hills
Heartland Circle
Heartland Meadows
Prairie Meadows
Windett Ridge
In addition, the City has recently given final plat
approval for Heartland Meadows, a 47-lot age targeted
community to be developed by Marker Full Homes.
Sales are expected to begin soon.
The seven developments that are active and one not
yet started (Heartland Meadows) represent a total
of 1,366 entitled units. As of the first quarter of 2015,
804 homes had been built in these developments,
with 562 units remaining to be built. At post-recession
construction levels, the remaining homes represent a
supply of more than eight years.
Moreover, dormant developments for which roadway
and utility infrastructure is in place (in whole or in part)
represent another 7,406 entitled units among five
different housing product types. Of that total, 5,628
units are not yet built – a volume that is extremely
unlikely to be absorbed at any point within the
foreseeable future. (For perspective, from 2000-2009,
during the height of the historic housing boom, 3,700
units were built in Yorkville in total). Moreover, the
total occupied housing stock in Yorkville currently
stands at 5,835 units. In other words, Yorkville would
effectively have to double its current housing stock in
order to successfully absorb all the units planned in
these dormant developments.
Table 3.10: Residential Developments by Status
Source: City of Yorkville & Goodman Williams Group
TOTAL RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS 44
Completed 12
Active 7
Not Yet Started 1
Dormant 24
Undeveloped Land 15
Infrastructure in Place 9
Single-Family Residential Housing in the Fox Hill Subdivision
“In Yorkville 5,628 entitled housing
units are not yet built – a volume that
is extremely unlikely to be absorbed
at any point within the foreseeable
future. For perspective, from 2000-
2009, during the height of the historic
housing boom, 3,700 units were built
in Yorkville in total.”
Source: United City of Yorkville and Goodman Williams Group
34
SECTION 3 - LAND USES
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE DRAFT
Vacant lots within these dormant developments are
primarily under ownership of private individuals or
larger development entities. Two of the developments
– Bristol Bay and The Highlands/Raintree Village –
are owned by major national homebuilders (Centex
and Lennar Homes, respectively). At the moment,
it is uncertain when – if ever – any of the dormant
developments will reopen.
For classification purposes, this analysis divided
Yorkville’s annexed residential developments into
five geographical groups – east, west, north, central,
southeast, and southwest. The groups correspond to
geographically distinct areas of the City, but are not
equal in terms of land area or number of developments.
Broadly speaking, the most intense development
to occur within Yorkville during its robust growth
years occurred within the east and southeast groups,
located east of Illinois 47 along U.S. 34 and Illinois 71,
respectively. These areas are home to some of the
City’s largest developments, including Grande Reserve,
Autumn Creek, and Raintree Village. They were also
some of the hardest hit areas when the housing crisis
ensued, and developer and home builder bankruptcies
and foreclosures have left hundreds of vacant lots in
partially completed, dormant developments within
these areas. However, four of the City’s seven
currently active developments are also located here
(including its most active development, Autumn Creek).
The north group, aligning Illinois 47 and Baseline and
Galena roads, consists largely of undeveloped land
in active agricultural use. One exception is the large
Bristol Bay community, which, after more than 770
homes were built in the early and mid-2000s, fell
dormant with more than 1,300 entitled units remaining
to be built.
The west and southwest groups (located off of U.S.
34 near Kendall Marketplace and to the west and
southwest of downtown, respectively) include eight of
the City’s 12 completed developments, along with two
of the seven active developments.
Finally, the central group consists generally of smaller
developments located east of Illinois 47 and south of
U.S. 34. This group includes the one development
recently approved but not yet started (the 47-unit age-
targeted Heartland Meadows community).
RENTAL MARKET CONDITIONS
Yorkville’s rental market consists of a small number of
multifamily developments built as rental apartments.
A larger number of detached and attached homes
were originally developed as for-sale units but have
subsequently been entered into the rental market
by individual owners or real estate investment and
property management entities.
Multifamily Rental Communities
Yorkville is home to three multifamily rental
developments, including two market-rate communities
and one income-qualified community, all located in
close proximity to Illinois 47 and U.S. 34.
• York Meadow Apartment Homes is a 95-unit
two-story garden-style apartment community
located on East Kendall Drive and managed by
T.J Adam & Company. The community was built
in 1991 and offers one, two, and three bedroom
plans. Current market rents range from $980
to $1,700 per month, and all units feature an
attached one-car garage.
• Yorkville Apartments is a 74-unit two and
three-story garden-style apartment community
located on Mulhern Court and also managed
by T.J. Adam & Company. Built in 1986, the
community currently offers two-bedroom
apartments for $910 per month.
• Reserve at Fox River is a 132-unit three-story
garden-style apartment community located at
on Market Place Drive, adjoining the Yorkville
Marketplace shopping center. The community,
developed with support from the Illinois
Housing Development Authority (IHDA) and
managed by Dominium, offers income-qualified
two and three bedroom plans. Current income
limits are $40,740 for one occupant, $46,560
for two occupants, and $52,380 for three
occupants.
Other Rental Options
Other options for Yorkville renters include a variety
of single family detached and attached homes, as
well as a limited number of lower-density multifamily
condominiums, all originally built for the for-sale
market. While these homes are located throughout
the City, concentrations do occur in some areas.
Principal among these are the townhome and flats
(condominiums) located within the Bristol Bay
community. Built in the mid and later 2000s, a number
of these units have found their way to the rental
market. Current monthly asking rents are generally
from $1,000 for flats and $1,200 for townhomes.
SENIOR HOUSING MARKET CONDITIONS
Senior housing options in Yorkville are limited,
consisting of just two assisted living facilities, plus one
skilled nursing center, as follows:
• Heritage Woods of Yorkville, located at 242
Greenbriar Road, opened in December of
2007. The facility consists of 87 studio and
one-bedroom apartments offering assisted
living. The facility is managed by BMA
Management, Ltd.
• Countryside Village, located at 501 W. Kendall
Drive, was built in 1977. The facility consists
of 138 one-bedroom apartments, all of which
are Section 8 assisted living units for seniors
and persons with disabilities. The facility is
managed by Oakbrook Corp.
• Hillside Rehab & Care Center, located at 1308
Game Farm Road, offers a variety of skilled
nursing, rehabilitation, and long-term care
services, including hospice and memory care.
The 79-bed facility is owned and managed by
Helia Healthcare.
HOUSING DEMAND, NEEDS, & OPPORTUNITIES
Market demand for new homes is a function of many
factors. First among these is household growth, which
broadly determines long-term housing need. Another
factor to be considered in demand forecasting is unit
loss due to obsolescence, abandonment, or disaster.
Nation-wide, most markets experience unit loss equal
to 0.26 percent of total housing stock per year. Finally,
a smaller component of demand is the “extra” units
needed to retain balance in the availability of vacant
units in order to allow for efficient sales and leasing
efforts. (This need is greater for rental homes than for
owner-occupied homes.)
Assembling these factors together into a five-year
forecast for Yorkville suggests that demand for new
homes will equate to 557 units from 2015 to 2019, or an
average of 111 annually. Given current tenure trends,
it is expected that roughly 75 percent of demand will
emanate from the owner-occupied sector, equating
to 412 units overall for the forecast period, or 82 units
annually. Likewise, 25 percent of demand will occur
within the rental sector, equating to 146 units overall or
29 annually.
Townhomes along Cummins Street
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As this forecast suggests, overall demand for new
homes in Yorkville is expected to remain relatively soft
over the coming five-year period. However, near to
mid-term opportunities do exist to responsibly bolster
the residential market within the City while addressing
the housing needs of potentially underserved
populations. These opportunities include the following:
Senior and Active Adult Housing Needs
Shifting demographics within the City – most
specifically the aging of the population – will play a
primary role in determining housing needs over the
near and mid-term period. Opportunities can be
expected to strengthen over the coming five years in
the following areas:
• Senior Housing: By 2019, more than 20
percent of Yorkville residents are expected to
be age 55 or older. This includes nearly 800
residents age 75 or older. Yet the total current
supply of service-oriented housing geared
for seniors is just 225 assisted living units – of
which just 87 are market rate – and 79 skilled
nursing beds.
• Active Adult Housing: Similarly, age-restricted
active adult housing geared toward those
55 and older is lacking within the City. (One
exception being the recently approved
Heritage Meadows development, which will
bring 47 age-targeted single family homes to
the market.) Additional active adult homes
in small-scale, maintenance-free communities
could help fill this gap. Appropriate product
types include small-lot detached single
family homes, along with duplex and fourplex
configurations.
Conventional Production Sector Opportunities
In the conventional production sector (i.e.,
traditional single family attached or detached home
developments, often referred to as “tract” housing)
near to mid-term opportunities are more limited.
However, Yorkville should continue to encourage the
responsible build-out of currently active developments.
Additionally, a priority should be placed on the
identification and recruitment of home builders and
other entities interested in investing in currently
dormant developments where development
infrastructure is already in place. While it may be
difficult, in the near term, to gain the interest of national
home building companies (though two – Ryland Homes
and Pulte, Inc. – currently operate within the City),
smaller local and regional builders (some of whom are
already building in Yorkville and the surrounding areas),
would be prime candidates. The current RENEW
program, which provides building permit fee rebates on
qualifying spec and model home construction, serves
as a prime example of a creative City-led incentive that
encourages responsible home building.
Regardless, the large number of entitled lots in these
dormant developments dwarfs anticipated market
demand. Reasonable expectations should be set,
knowing that some of these developments are unlikely
to be fully built-out in any but the most distant planning
scenarios.
Affordable Housing Needs
Finally, our analysis of housing affordability within the
City suggests that a need exists for more affordable
housing options, particularly within the rental sector.
As shown previously, 50 percent of renter households
within the City may be hard-pressed to afford their
current rents. Yet just one all-ages rental development
providing rent assistance exists within the City.
Additional high quality affordable rental units would
thus help meet the needs of the low- to moderate-
income population and satisfy a large portion of
forecast demand for rental housing.
LOOKING TOWARD THE LONGER TERM
Within a longer term planning framework (i.e., five years
or longer), additional housing market opportunities
emerge. Along with the potential acceleration of
production market demand are the following, more
location-specific, opportunities:
• Transportation Oriented Development
(TOD): Metra is currently investigating the
feasibility of extending its commuter rail
service to Yorkville. If the conclusions reached
are favorable and a station is built, new
opportunity for residential development could
emerge in the area around the station. Such
opportunity would most likely emanate from
the moderate-density attached for-sale sector
(e.g., townhomes) and the rental apartment
sector.
• Downtown Development: If Yorkville can
continue to revitalize and strengthen its
downtown core – and assuming suitable
buildings and/or land could be found –
opportunity for denser market-rate rental
and for sale housing, including residential-
over-retail, could emerge. Such housing could
be developed either in existing renovated
buildings or new, appropriately designed and
scaled developments.
Table 3.11: New Home Demand Derivation 2015 - 2019
Source: Goodman Williams Group; household forecast by Esri
Households, CY Estimate 6,240
Households, 5Y Forecast 6,701
Projected HH Growth 461
Housing Units, CY Estimate 6,304
Occupied 5,835
Owner-Occupied (Percent)74.7
Renter-Occupied (Percent)25.3
Vacant (Percent)7.4
Expected Loss, Units (0.26%/year)82
Gross Housing Demand, Units 543
Owner-Occupied 406
Vacancy Requirement (1.5 Percent)6
Total Owner-Occupied Demand 412
Per Year 82
Renter-Occupied 137
Vacancy Requirement (6.0 Percent)8
Total Renter-Occupied Demand 146
Per Year 29
Total New Construction Demand 557
PER YEAR 111
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Figure 3.7 - Residential Zoning DistrictsGraph 3.7 - Residential Zoning Districts
E-1 Estate Residence
R-1 Single-Family Suburban Residence
R-2D Two-Family Attached Residence
R-3 Multifamily Attached Residence
R-4 General Multifamily Residence
The E-1 Estate District zoning designation is intended to
accommodate large-lot, single-family residential land uses within
a rural setting. Other permitted land uses within this district are
deemed compatible and conducive to the low-density, tranquil,
and open space environment provided in the E-1 Estate District.
Permitted uses include single-family housing, schools, golf courses,
parks, playgrounds, and some public utility facilities. The maximum
density in the E-1 Zone is one unit per acre and the minimum lot size
is one acre. Building heights are limited to 3-stories or 40 feet.
The R-1 Single Family Suburban Residence zoning designation is
intended to create a spacious suburban residential neighborhood
environment on parcels of at least 18,000 square feet. To protect
the character of the district, permitted uses are limited to single-
family detached housing yet accommodate other compatible and
complimentary cultural, religious, educational and public uses.
Permitted uses include single-family housing, schools, golf courses,
parks, playgrounds, and some public utility facilities. Building
heights are limited to 2.5-stories or 30 feet.
The R-2 Duplex, Two-Family Attached Residence zoning
designation is intended for moderate density duplex dwelling
structures on lots of at least 15,000 square feet. This district is
primarily located off of a major thoroughfare or as a transitional
land use adjacent to single-family residences. Therefore, the R-2
Duplex district is intended to accommodate single-family attached
dwelling structures of a size and character that is compatible with
the surrounding single-family detached residential districts and
adjacent to commercial, office and retail space. Permitted uses
include single-family housing, duplex housing, schools, golf courses,
parks, playgrounds, and some public utility facilities. The maximum
density in the R-2D Zone is 4.8 units per acre and building heights
are limited to 2.5-stories or 30 feet.
The R-3, Multifamily Attached Residence zoning designation is
intended for moderate density dwelling structures on lots of at
least 9,000 square feet. This district also accommodates a roadway
wide enough to park on both sides of the street. Permitted uses
include single-family housing, duplex housing, townhouse housing,
multifamily housing, schools, golf courses, parks, playgrounds, and
some public utility facilities. The maximum density in the R-3 Zone
is five units per acre and building heights are limited to 6-stories or
80 feet. The number of units per building is limited to six.
The R-4, General Multifamily Residence zoning designation is
intended for moderate-to-high density dwelling structures on
lots of at least 15,000 square feet. This district is suitable for
creating a transition between the business/commercial uses and
the surrounding lower density residence uses. This district may
accommodate other compatible and complimentary cultural,
religious, educational and public uses. Permitted uses include
single-family housing, duplex housing, townhouse housing,
multifamily housing, schools, golf courses, parks, playgrounds, and
some public utility facilities. The maximum density in the R-4 Zone
is eight units per acre and building heights are limited to 6-stories
or 80 feet.
E-1
311 ACRES
R-3
740 ACRES
R-2 Single-Family Traditional Residence
The R-2 Single Family Traditional Residence zoning designation is
intended to accommodate smaller, more conventional suburban
residential neighborhood on lots of at least 12,000 square feet.
The district’s moderately-low density allows for flexibility in site
design, and creates a transitional land use between rural and
suburban residential settings. The primary permitted uses are
single-family detached housing in addition to compatible and
complimentary cultural, religious, educational and public uses.
Permitted uses include single-family housing, schools, golf courses,
parks, playgrounds, and some public utility facilities. The maximum
density in the R-2 Zone is three units per acre and building heights
are limited to 2.5-stories or 30 feet.
R-1
454 ACRES
R-4
450 ACRES
R-2
5,161 ACRES
R-2D
143 ACRES
RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS
Residential development is regulated by one of six
residential zoning districts within the Yorkville Zoning
Ordinance, outlined below:
Figure 3.7: Residential Zoning Districts
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Figure 3.8 - Undeveloped Residential Zoning Areas
UNDEVELOPED RESIDENTIAL ZONING AREAS
Apart from the entitled residentially-zoned areas
in Yorkville, there are a number of undeveloped
zoned areas totaling 2,513 acres of land (Figure 3.8).
These areas are located in Yorkville’s northern and
southeastern quadrants and are zoned in different
categories from E-1 Estate to R-4 General Multifamily
Residence. Most of the undeveloped land is zoned R-2
Single Family Traditional Residence. Total potential
build-out in the areas would be over 8,900 housing
units, which is unlikely to occur in the near-term.
ZONING DISTRICT ACRES DENSITY
POTENTIAL
ADDITIONAL
UNITS
E-1 Estate
Residence 226 1 226
R-1 Single-Family
Suburban
Residence
176 2.42 425
R-2 Single-Family
Traditional
Residence
1,436 3 4,308
R-2D Two-Family
Attached
Residence
78 4.8 374
R-3 Multifamily
Attached
Residence
379 5 1,895
R-4 General
Multifamily
Residence
218 8 1,744
Totals 2,513 -8,972
Figure 3.8: Undeveloped Residential Zoning AreasTable 3.12: Undeveloped Residential Zoning Areas
Single-Family Residential Housing at the Bristol Bay Subdivision
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SUMMARY OF KEY RESIDENTIAL LAND USE OBSERVATIONS
The following are key observations and issues related
to residential land use in Yorkville:
• Yorkville housing stock can largely be
categorized between the traditional housing
constructed when Yorkville and Bristol were
first developing in the mid to late 1800s to
just after World War II, as represented in
the Traditional Neighborhood Center, and
the annexed subdivisions that comprise the
majority of housing built in the last two to four
decades. Approximately 59 percent of homes
built in Yorkville were constructed between
2000 and 2009.
• With its older, more historic housing stock, the
Traditional Neighborhood Center represents
an opportunity to encourage housing
rehabilitation and to market it as a desirable
place to live near downtown and the Fox River
waterfront.
• Yorkville, like most communities around the
country after the economic recession of 2008,
suffered a significant slowdown in housing
construction and a number of foreclosures.
However, its current housing vacancy rate (7.4
percent), although higher than Kendall County,
is not significant and does not represent an
imbalance in Yorkville’s housing market.
• Nearly half of new homes built in Yorkville
are within the $200,000 to $300,000, which
represents a narrow and homogenous range
of housing product in Yorkville. Other housing
products offered at different pricing points
could help to diversify the housing stock and
offer additional housing opportunities for new
residents.
TYPE OF UNITS NUMBER
OF UNITS
ABSORPTION
RATE / YEAR
YEARS TO
BUILD-OUT
COMPLETION
DATE
Platted Units (Not Built)3,477 100 34 years 2049
Entitled Units (Not Platted or Built)3,655 100 36 years 2085
Undeveloped Residential Zoning Areas Capacity 8,972 100 89 years 2174
Table 3.8: Residential Build-Out Projections
• Yorkville has a number of dormant
developments for which roadway and utility
infrastructure is in place. This represents
another 7,406, and of that total, 5,628 units
are not yet built – a volume that is extremely
unlikely to be absorbed at any point in the
near term given the slow-down of residential
construction within the Chicago region (See
Table 3.13 for overview of existing subdivisions).
• A five-year forecast for Yorkville suggests that
demand for new homes will equate to 557 units
from 2015 to 2019, or an average of 111 annually.
Roughly 75 percent of demand will emanate
from the owner-occupied sector; in addition,
25 percent of demand will occur within the
rental sector equating to 146 units overall or 29
annually.
• Overall, it is estimated that given current
market conditions, it would take anywhere
from 34 to 89 years to build out all
residentially platted, entitled and zoned land
in Yorkville. (see Table 3.8). This signifies
that some residentially- zoned and unplatted
developments may not be built, at least in the
near and mid-terms.
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Figure 3.9 - Active Residential Subdivisions
Figure 3.9: Active Residential Subdivisions
SUBDIVISION KEY UNIT TYPE
TOTAL
UNITS
PLATTED
TOTAL
UNITS
ENTITLED
UNITS
BUILT
% BUILD
OUT
PLATTED
% BUILD
OUT
ENTITLED
LEFT TO
BUILD
PLATTED
LEFT TO
BUILD
ENTITLED
Autumn Creek A
Single Family 317 317 270 85.2%85.2%47 47
Town Homes 151 151 140 92.7%92.7%11 11
Blackberry Woods B Single Family 132 132 34 25.8%25.8%98 98
Briarwood C Single Family 41 41 19 46.3%46.3%22 22
Bristol Bay D
Single Family 467 467 213 45.6%45.6%254 254
Duplex 182 182 0 0.0%0.0%182 182
Town Homes 802 802 224 27.9%27.9%578 578
Condominiums 624 624 336 53.8%53.8%288 288
Caledonia E Single Family 206 206 50 24.3%24.3%156 156
Country Hills F
Single Family 138 138 27 19.6%19,6%111 111
Duplex 34 34 0 0.0%0.0%34 34
Grande Reserve G
Single Family 953 1,324 263 27.6%19.9%690 1,061
Duplex 62 394 26 41.9%6.6%36 368
Town Homes 227 632 153 67.4%24.2%74 479
Condominiums 0 300 0 0.0%0.0%0 300
Heartland Circle H Single Family 250 250 216 86.4%86.4%34 34
Heartland Meadows -Age Rest. SF 47 47 0 0.0%0.0%47 47
Kendall Marketplace J
Single Family 0 28 0 0.0%0.0%0 28
Town Homes 0 164 0 0.0%0.0%0 164
Kendallwood Estates K Single Family 83 83 0 0.0%0.0%83 83
Prairie Meadows L
Single Family 164 164 116 70.7%70.7%48 48
Multi Family 0 268 0 0.0%0.0%0 268
Prestwick of Yorkville M Single Family 108 356 4 3.7%1.1%104 352
Raintree Village N
Single Family 402 402 206 51.2%51.2%196 196
Duplex 124 124 65 52.4%52.4%59 59
Town Homes 128 128 20 15.6%15.6%108 108
Westbury East Village O
Single Family 0 293 0 0.0%0.0%0 293
Town Homes 0 605 0 0.0%0.0%0 605
Westbury South Village P
Single Family 0 181 0 0.0%0.0%0 181
Town Homes 0 294 0 0.0%0.0%0 294
Whispering Meadows Q Single Family 295 445 217 73.6%48.8%78 228
Windett Ridge R Single Family 261 277 122 46.7%44.0%139 155
TOTALS --6,198 9,853 2,721 43.9%27.6%3,477 7,132
Table 3.13: Residential Developments (as of February 2015)
A
B
J
K
C
D
E
G
H
L
F
M
N
O
P
Q
R
More thsan 75% Built-Out
Approximately 50% Built-Out
Less than 25% Built-Out
Source: United City of Yorkville
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Figure 3.10 - Existing Commercial Land Use Areas North of the Fox River
COMMERCIAL LAND USE
Within the Planning Area, Yorkville’s commercial areas
comprises 849 acres, which represents 1.9 percent of
Yorkville’s total land area. This section summarizes
general commercial land use and market conditions.
Commercial land use in Yorkville can largely be divided
between the downtown Yorkville and other newly-
developed commercial land area along Illinois Route 47
and U.S. Route 34 and along certain stretches of Illinois
Route 47 south of the Fox River.
Current retail facilities within the City of Yorkville
consist primarily of large format (“big box”) stores
located along Illinois 47 and U.S. Route 34 and
community and neighborhood-scale centers offering
general merchandise, groceries, specialty retailers, and
food and beverage-establishments. In many instances
the retail inventory was built in anticipation of the
“rooftops” that were entitled prior to the recession.
DOWNTOWN YORKVILLE
For the purposes of this Comprehensive Plan,
downtown Yorkville is defined by Van Emmon Park on
the east, Orange and East Fox Streets on the south,
Morgan Street to the west, and the Fox River on
the north, However, Yorkville’s historic downtown
commercial core is mostly bounded by the Fox River
on the north, Fox Street to the south, Mill Street to
the east, and Main Street to the west, and consists
of mainly one to two-story traditional commercial
buildings facing Illinois Route 47 and a mix of low-scale
commercial and light and heavy industrial uses in its
eastern quadrant near Mill Street.
On its western side, the downtown faces a traditional
single family neighborhood and the Kendall County
Courthouse and its associated complex of offices along
South Main Street and West Ridge Street. Historically,
the downtown comprised a mix of commercial and
industrial uses given its location along the Fox River
and the rail spur that runs along Hydraulic Street.
Remnants of industrial uses remain in the downtown
and brownfield land has been identified on parcels just
east of the traditional building street wall along Illinois
Route 47.
Figure 3.10: Existing Commercial Land Use Areas North of the Fox RiverTable 3.14: Existing Commercial Land Use Areas
SUBDIVISION KEY ACRES EST. SF
Kendall Marketplace 1 118 751,644
Cimarron Ridge 2 15 130,369
Countryside Center 3 25 177,859
Yorkville Business Center 4 30 336,727
Menards Commons 5 65 252,994
Fox Hill 6 4 23,737
Aurora Textile 7 7 24,556
Yorkville Marketplace 8 9 117,941
Landmark Center 9 5 36,042
Parkway Addition 10 6 57,248
Yorkville Market Square 11 1 17.807
Heartland Center 12 4 95,105
Inland Office Center 13 1 10,576
Bristol (Original Town)14 2 8,443
Prairie Pointe 15 10 46,637
Huntsville 16 1 5,912
Perkins 17 3 21,201
North Bridge Street 18 1 2,932
Raging Waves Waterpark 19 42 3,149
Corn Holdings LLC 20 46 0
Rush-Copley 21 42 221,370
1
2
3
8
11
12
15
16
13
14
18
17
10
9
5
6
19
21
20
4
7
United City of Yorkville
Kendall County
State of Illinois
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In recent years, some buildings along the north
side of Hydraulic Street have been converted to
residential use and new investment has occurred in
adjacent Bicentennial Riverfront Park, transforming
it into a significant Yorkville destination. Downtown
buildings are generally in good condition although
several along Route 47, Hydraulic Street, and Van
Emmon Street could be candidates for building and
storefront rehabilitation and adaptive use. There is also
a significant need to improve streetscape conditions
and the pedestrian environment, especially given the
recent widening of Illinois Route 47 and the elimination
of on-street parking. Community stakeholders have
consistently commented that Illinois Route 47 is now
a barrier to pedestrian movement in the downtown
district, and with the loss of on-street parking along
Route 47, finding areas to accommodate new parking
has become a significant challenge given downtown’s
tight building development pattern. However, given
these constraints, it appears that downtown Yorkville
is underutilized and that a more strategic and efficient
use of land could accommodate new development
along with the rehabilitation of its existing historic
commercial buildings.
Graph 3.1 - Existing Downtown Land Uses
Figure 3.11: Existing Downtown Land Uses
Commercial buildings on Van Emmon Street
Traditional downtown commercial building
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DOWNTOWN ZONING DISTRICTS
Downtown land use is regulated by several zoning
districts outlined below:
Graph 3.1 - Downtown Zoning Districts
Figure 3.12: Downtown Zoning Districts
B-2 Retail Commerce
The B-2 Retail Commerce Business District zoning designation is
intended for the location of retail shops and stores offering goods
to the population. Buildings in this district are allowed to build on
a majority of the lot with diminished setbacks. This allows shops
and stores to maximize retail space while supporting a pedestrian
friendly environment in retail shopping areas. This district also
encourages dwelling units located above the first floor of a
permitted use to create mixed use buildings. The minimum lot size
for the B-2 Zone is 10,000 square feet with a maximin building
coverage of 80 percent. There is no front yard requirement,
however 20 foot side and rear yards are required. Building heights
are limited to 6-stories or 80 feet.
B-1 Local Business
The B-1 Local Business District zoning designation is intended
for the location of commercial and professional facilities that are
especially useful in close proximity to residential areas. The district
is designed to provide convenient shopping and services that
meet the needs and enhances the quality of life for surrounding
residential neighborhoods. This district also encourages dwelling
units located above the first floor of a permitted use to create
mixed use buildings. The minimum lot size for the B-1 Zone is
10,000 square feet with a maximin building coverage of 50 percent.
30 foot front yards are required with 20 foot side and rear yards
also required. Building heights are limited to 6-stories or 80 feet.
B-3 General Business
The B-3 General Business District zoning designation is intended
for the location of a broad range of commercial uses, including
small scale and large scale businesses. These uses are usually
oriented toward automobile access and visibility; therefore they
are typically set along major arterial roads. The businesses in this
district are meant to serve regional as well as local customers. This
district also encourages dwelling units located above the first floor
of a permitted use to create mixed use buildings. The minimum lot
size for the B-3 Zone is 10,000 square feet with a maximin building
coverage of 50 percent. 50 foot front yards are required with 20
foot side and rear yards also required. Building heights are limited
to 6-stories or 80 feet.
M-1 Limited Manufacturing
The M-1 Limited Manufacturing District zoning designation is
intended to provide for the location of manufacturing, industrial,
and related uses of a limited nature in size that will not have a
harmful environmental effect on surrounding areas. The maximum
lot coverage in the M-1 Zone is 60 percent. 25 foot front yards are
required while no rear yards are required. Side yards must be a
minimum of 10 percent of the lot up to twenty feet. There are no
building height limits, but floor area ratio is limited to 0.8.
OS-2 Open Space (Recreational)
The OS-2 Open Space (Recreational) District is intended to govern
the use of city-owned recreational areas and park land. Permitted
uses include community centers, playgrounds, recreation centers,
amphitheaters, and outdoor music venues. Front yards are required
to be at least thirty feet and side yards are required to be at
least ten feet or a distance equal to 50% of the building height,
whichever is greater, when adjacent to a residential district. Rear
yards are required to be at least twenty feet or a distance equal to
50% of the building height, whichever is greater, when adjacent
to a residential district. Building height is limited to six-stories or
eighty feet.
R-2 Single-Family Traditional Residence
The R-2 Single Family Traditional Residence zoning designation is
intended to accommodate smaller, more conventional suburban
residential neighborhood on lots of at least 12,000 square feet.
The primary permitted uses are single-family detached housing
in addition to compatible and complimentary cultural, religious,
educational and public uses. Permitted uses include single-family
housing, schools, golf courses, parks, playgrounds, and some public
utility facilities. The maximum density in the R-2 Zone is three units
per acre and building heights are limited to 2.5-stories or 30 feet.
R-4 General Multifamily Residence
The R-4, General Multifamily Residence zoning designation is
intended for moderate-to-high density dwelling structures on
lots of at least 15,000 square feet. This district is suitable for
creating a transition between the business/commercial uses and
the surrounding lower density residence uses. This district may
accommodate other compatible and complimentary cultural,
religious, educational and public uses. Permitted uses include
single-family housing, duplex housing, townhouse housing,
multifamily housing, schools, golf courses, parks, playgrounds, and
some public utility facilities. The maximum density in the R-4 Zone
is eight units per acre and building heights are limited to 6-stories
or 80 feet.
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Figure 3.11 - Existing Commercial Land Use Areas South of the Fox River
Figure 3.13: Existing Commercial Land Use Areas South of the Fox River
Table 3.15: Existing Commercial Land Use Areas
SUBDIVISION KEY ACRES SF
Black’s Addition 29 11 115,649
Fountain Village 30 15 44,855
Stagecoach Crossing 31 2 53,943
Prairie Garden 32 8 73,471
Cozy Corner 33 1 21,984
Yorkville (Original Town)34 2 9,727
Johnson & Hughes 35 1 6,598
Walz 36 41 9,577
Highpoint Road & Route 71 37 61 0
Cross Evangelical
Lutheran Church & School 38 17 83,862
29 34
30
31
36
37
38
35
32
33
ILLINOIS ROUTE 47 AND U.S. ROUTE 34 CORRIDORS (NORTH)
The intersection of Illinois Route 47 and U.S. 34
(Veterans Parkway) can be considered the major
hub for commercial activity in Yorkville, given the
location of large format retailers and neighborhood-
scaled centers offering general merchandise,
groceries, specialty retailers, and food and beverage
establishments. Such retailers and businesses include
Walgreens and McDonalds, Menards, Starbucks, Jewel
Foods, the NCG Cinemas, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut and
Office Max. There is also a number of other locally-
owned and regional businesses and chains located
in this cluster. Further to the west along Veterans
Parkway are other commercial developments, including
the Kendall Marketplace where big-box stores such
as Target, Marshalls, and Home Depot are located,
and smaller office-commercial complexes housing
restaurants, service businesses and medical offices.
Across the street from the Kendall Marketplace is
the Rush-Copley Medical Center. North of Veterans
Parkway, along Illinois Route 47, are smaller strip mall
developments such as the Yorkville Business Center,
which is leasing space to several small retailers and
businesses. General urban design conditions are good
in this area although signage and landscaping could be
more consistent from one development to another.
The commercial developments along these areas are
mostly of recent construction, one to two-story in scale,
and are characterized by generous set-backs from the
roadways, landscaping and parking areas in front of
the buildings. In the Kendall Marketplace, the setback
from the roadway to the inline retail is quite significant,
although much of the intervening land has been
reserved for outlot development. In total, in Yorkville’s
northern quadrant, there are over 20 different
commercial subdivisions totaling more than 2,00,000
square feet of commercial space. Several commercial
subdivisions have been entitled but not yet developed.
ILLINOIS ROUTES 47 CORRIDOR (SOUTH)
South of the Fox River, there are more than ten
different commercial subdivisions totaling more than
400,000 square feet of commercial space, located
mostly along Illinois Route 47. A mix of older and newer
developments characterize the commercial activities
along this portion of Route 47 with businesses that
range from restaurants and fast food places to drive-in
banks to small strip centers housing a variety of small
businesses. Developments are generally set back closer
to the roadway than those located north at the Illinois
Route 47 and Veterans Parkway intersection. General
urban design and streetscape conditions can be
improved in this area with more consistent landscaping,
signage and wayfinding.
Commercial uses in Yorkville Business Center, Illinois Route 47
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SECTION 3 - LAND USES
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE DRAFT
COMMERCIAL MARKET DATA AND ANALYSIS
This section of our report focuses on characteristics of
Yorkville’s current retail market and examines future
retail opportunities within the City in the context of
larger market area conditions and trends.
METROPOLITAN CHICAGO AND FAR
SOUTHWEST SUBURBAN RETAIL TRENDS
CBRE, a prominent national brokerage firm, includes
all of Kendall County in its Far Southwest Suburban
Submarket. Within the market, CBRE currently tracks
performance metrics on 48 prominent retail properties
encompassing 8.6 million square feet of space. As
of the first quarter of 2015, vacancy rates within the
submarket stood at 6.0 percent – the third lowest
among all submarkets within Metro Chicago and 360
basis points lower than that for the area as a whole, at
9.6 percent.
Market conditions within the Far Southwest Suburban
Submarket, as well as within the Chicago region as a
whole, continue to improve with the ongoing regional
and national recovery that has followed the recession.
In particular, grocery-anchored shopping centers have
performed well in the current environment, with market
entrants such as Mariano’s spurring demand for new
space and escalating competition for market share
among grocers in many market areas.
The growing popularity of on-line shopping has
impacted some traditional “brick and mortar” stores,
particularly in the apparel, electronics, and office supply
sectors. And several prominent big box retailers have
either closed stores or scaled back expansion plans
within the region.
Generally, however, current signs point toward
continued strengthening of the regional suburban retail
market in the near and mid-term, with redevelopment
and re-use outpacing greenfield (i.e., vacant land)
development. Household growth will continue to be
key to attracting new retail development.
COMPETITIVE RETAIL DESTINATIONS
Retail centers within Yorkville compete with those
in the surrounding municipalities of Oswego and
Montgomery for area consumers’ shopping dollars.
Interviews with residents and other stakeholders in
Yorkville indicate that residents travel, in particular,
to large centers in Oswego and, to a lesser extent,
Montgomery for major shopping trips. (Plano, while
located directly west of Yorkville, offers little in the way
of destination shopping.)
Three large multi-tenant shopping centers located
along the U.S. 34 corridor in Oswego, encompassing
nearly 1.7 million square feet of space, offer a wide
variety of shopping and dining options, with major
tenants including Walmart Supercenter, Kohl’s, Dick’s
Sporting Goods, Home Depot, Target, and Buffalo Wild
Wings. A fourth center, Ogden Hills in Montgomery,
has more than 500,000 square feet of space and is
anchored by Menard’s, JC Penny, and Sephora. A Sam’s
Club was added to the location in the fall of 2014.
YORKVILLE RETAIL MARKET
CONDITIONS AND TRENDS
Municipal sales tax revenues provide a proxy measure
of overall retail activity and market growth. An
examination of sales tax revenues for Yorkville and
neighboring communities shows that retail activity
in Yorkville grew only modestly during the ten years
between 2005 and 2014, rising just 8.3 percent overall.
During this same period, however, the neighboring
municipalities of Oswego and Montgomery
experienced high rates of sales tax growth as the U.S.
34 corridor was transformed into a major regional
shopping destination. In Oswego, sales tax revenues
grew more than 90 percent during this period, while
Montgomery experienced growth of more than 78
percent. Of neighboring municipalities, only Plano saw
a lower growth rate than Yorkville, at 2.6 percent.
The following graph of municipal sales taxes collected
in Yorkville in 2014 by major SIC (Standard Industrial
Classification) code shows that General Merchandise
and Drugs & Miscellaneous Retail each accounted for
more than 20 percent of retail sales. Lumber, Building,
and Hardware sales accounted for 17 percent of
goods sold, while Food (i.e., grocery) and Drinking and
Eating Places each accounted for 11 percent. Notably,
apparel accounted for just three percent of goods
sold, suggesting that most residents of Yorkville travel
elsewhere to purchase clothing.
YORKVILLE’S RETAIL INVENTORY
Most of Yorkville’s retail inventory is located along the
Illinois 47 and U.S. 34 corridors. Average daily traffic
counts in excess of 15,000 along Illinois 47 and 13,000
to nearly 20,000 along U.S. 34 made these corridors
desirable locations for many regional and national
retailers. Yorkville’s two primary shopping centers--
Kendall Marketplace and Yorkville Marketplace—were
both built prior to the recession in anticipation of
strong household growth.
Since the Great Recession, however, the retail market
in Yorkville has remained soft, with expectations for
future growth largely unrealized. At this time, high
vacancy rates plague Kendall Marketplace and Yorkville
Marketplace and both centers remain only partially
built, with the development of additional phases and
outparcels delayed indefinitely.
• Kendall Marketplace: Developed in 2008 by
Chicago-based Harlem Irving Companies,
Kendall Marketplace was conceived as a major
regional destination, with 750,000 square feet
of gross leasable area (GLA). It is built on
130 acres at the northwest corner of U.S. 34
and Cannonball Trail. Anchor tenants include:
Marshalls, Super Target, Kohl’s, Dick’s Sporting
Goods, and Home Depot. Currently, 19 retail
spaces out of a total of 36 are vacant and
available for lease, according to information
from leasing agent Jones Lang LaSalle. In
addition, numerous outparcels remain
undeveloped. Kendall Marketplace recently
changed ownership.
Source: Illinois Department of Revenue
Graph 2.1: 2014 Calendar Year - Sales made during January 2014 through December 2014
General
Merchandise
22%
Food
11%
Agriculture
& All Others
6%
Automotive &
Filling Stations
6%
Manufacturers
3%
Apparel
3%
Drinking and
Eating Places
11%Lumber,
Bldg, Hardware
17%
Drugs & Misc.
Retail
21%
45
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THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTUREDRAFT
Municipal Retail Sales Taxes Collected
Montgomery Oswego Plano Yorkville
2005 $1,586,039 $3,215,658 $1,667,331 $2,479,311
2006 $1,764,974 $3,384,169 $1,687,246 $2,662,379
2007 $2,160,404 $4,384,546 $1,609,423 $2,586,447
2008 $2,620,735 $4,600,736 $1,489,449 $2,503,286
2009 $2,366,794 $4,669,432 $1,320,877 $2,394,036
2010 $2,507,094 $4,825,359 $1,306,385 $2,581,452
2011 $2,651,204 $5,011,615 $1,391,337 $2,554,296
2012 $2,680,321 $5,356,105 $1,550,507 $2,470,066
2013 $2,837,936 $5,429,931 $1,608,279 $2,592,877
2014 $3,025,900 $5,734,792 $1,710,686 $2,684,381
Change %+ 90.8 + 78.3 + 2.6 + 8.3
Retail sales taxes in Yorkville fell during the recessionary years and have risen only modestly since 2005.
However, taxes collected in Montgomery and Oswego have increased more dramatically than those in Yorkville and Plano. $
20
0
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$6 million
$5 million
$4 million
$3 million
$2 million
$1 million
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4
Major Multi-Tenant Shopping Centers In and Around Yorkville
Center Name Location Size (SF)Major Tenants
Kendall Marketplace Yorkville 745,000 Kohl's, Dick's Sporting Goods,
Home Depot, Marshalls, Super Target
Yorkville Marketplace Yorkville 145,000 Jewel-Osco, Office Max,
Panera Brea, Starbucks, GNC
Prairie Market Oswego 720,000 Wal-Mart Supercenter, Koh's,
Dick's Sporting Goods, Best Buy
Gerry Centennial Plaza Oswego 375,000 Meijer, Michael's, Bed Bath & Beyond,
Old Navy, Buffalo Wild Wings
Oswego Commons Oswego 600,000 Home Depot, Target, T.J. Maxx,
Office Max, Portillo's, Hobby Lobby
Ogden Hills Montgomery 500,000 Sam's Club, Menard's, JC Penny,
Office Depot, Sephora
Yorkville’s Kendall Marketplace is one of the largest multi-tenant shopping centers in the area.
However, a number of competing centers are located nearby in Oswego and Montgomery.
37
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2
,
5
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Kendall Marketplace
Prairie Market
Gerry Centennial Plaza
Oswego Commons
Yorkville Marketplace
Ogden Hills
• Yorkville Marketplace: Located at the
Southeast corner of the U.S. 34 and Illinois
47 intersection, Yorkville Marketplace is a
neighborhood center with 111,591 square feet of
leasable space. It is anchored by Jewel-Osco,
Office Max, and Panera Bread. Additional
tenants include, among others, Starbucks
and GNC. Four spaces are currently vacant
and available for lease by The Peak Group,
a Naperville-based real estate company. The
center, developed in 2007 by Highland Park-
based Tucker Development, was purchased in
April of 2015 by Inland Real Estate Group for
$24.5 million. In addition to the existing space,
original plans called for a second phase which,
if built, would add roughly 100,000 more
square feet to the center. Inland has not said if
it intends to go forward with this expansion at
any time in the future.
In addition to these two primary shopping centers,
a number of national chains offering general
merchandise, convenience and specialty goods, and
service retail are located in smaller strip centers or
stand-alone locations. Of particular note is the mostly
undeveloped Yorkville Crossing shopping center
located north and east of the Illinois 47 and U.S. 34
intersection. In addition to the anchor, Menard’s,
current retailers include Ace Hardware; AutoZone,
discount grocer Aldi, and thrift store Goodwill. A
planned Walmart was never built.
A variety of eating and drinking establishments and
entertainment facilities are also located along the
Illinois 47 and U.S. 34 corridors. These include a variety
of fast food, fast casual, and full-service restaurants,
bars and food-serving pubs, a multi-screen movie
theater (NCG Yorkville Cinemas), a bowling alley
(Yorkville Bowl), and, further to the north, Raging
Waves Waterpark – the largest waterpark in Illinois.
In addition two national chain-affiliated hotels are
located in Yorkville: a 77-room Hampton Inn and a 42-
room Super 8, both located near the Illinois 47 and U.S.
34 intersection.
46
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THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE DRAFT
INDUSTRY
SUMMARY DEMAND SUPPLY RETAIL
GAP
Total Retail Trade
and Food & Drink $271,623,507 $135,808,807 $135,814,700
Total Retail Trade $243,290,188 $117,497,080 $125,793,108
Total Food & Drink $28,333,319 $18,311,727 $10,021,592
CATEGORY DEMAND SUPPLY RETAIL GAP
Motor Vehicle &
Parts Dealers $50,593,778 $1,421,668 $49,172,110
Furniture & Home
Furnishings Stores $5,414,693 $945,635 $4,469,058
Electronics &
Appliance Stores $6,596,347 $5,141,320 $1,455,027
Bldg Materials, Garden
Equip. & Supply Stores $8,853,328 $20,117,371 -$11,264,043
Food & Beverage
Stores $38,285,398 $11,444,297 $26,841,101
Grocery Stores $33,923,501 $9,341,321 $24,582,180
Specialty Food Stores $1,137,363 $426,795 $710,568
Beer, Wine &
Liquor Stores $3,224,534 $1,676,181 $1,548,353
Health & Personal
Care Stores $21,615,439 $16,801,147 $4,814,292
Gasoline Stations $23,255,645 $24,767,516 -$1,511,871
Clothing & Clothing
Accessories Stores $15,564,080 $1,893,639 $13,670,441
Sporting Goods,
Hobby, Book & Music $6,374,917 $6,724,457 -$349,540
Sporting Goods/
Hobby/Musical Instr $4,979,135 $6,555,022 -$1,575,887
Book, Periodical &
Music Stores $1,395,782 $169,435 $1,226,347
General Merchandise
Stores $40,798,099 $22,482,042 $18,316,057
Miscellaneous Store
Retailers $5,171,419 $5,321,644 -$150,225
Food Services &
Drinking Places $28,333,319 $18,311,727 $10,021,592
Full-Service
Restaurants $11,870,017 $3,656,309 $8,213,708
Limited-Service
Eating Places $13,628,960 $13,798,197 -$169,237
Special Food Services $1,306,264 $40,525 $1,265,739
Drinking Places -
Alcoholic Beverages $1,528,078 $816,696 $711,382
Nonstore Retailers $20,767,045 $436,344 $20,330,701
DOWNTOWN YORKVILLE
The downtown Yorkville commercial district, generally
encompassing the area bound by Fox Street to the
south, Benjamin Street to the east, Morgan Street
to the west, and the Fox River to the north, has a
small cluster of dining, entertainment, and outdoor
recreation associated with the Fox River. Retailers
and restaurants tend to orient their storefronts to their
parking areas away from Illinois 47 / Bridge Street,
leaving very little foot traffic present along the busy
Illinois 47 thoroughfare.
LEAKAGE ANALYSIS
One analytic tool used to identify possible retail
opportunities within a market area is a calculation of
the leakage, or gap, between the expenditure potential
of households and estimates of actual sales from area
businesses. For the purpose of this study, we define
the retail gap as the difference between the demand
from households residing in Yorkville and the estimate
of sales from existing Yorkville stores.
A negative number suggests that sales (supply) exceed
local demand, indicating that stores are attracting
shoppers from other communities. A positive number
suggests that demand exceeds local supply, indicating
that shoppers are travelling outside the City for
these purchases. In most categories, as shown in the
following table, local demand in Yorkville is being
spent in stores outside the City. This is particularly true
for the grocery store, general merchandise, clothing
and clothing accessories, and full service restaurant
categories. Yorkville is also leaking significant sales in
the motor vehicle and non-store retailers categories.
Conversely, Yorkville is attracting a significant number
of shoppers from other communities in the building
materials category.
As shown, Yorkville’s “retail gap” is estimated at nearly
$136 million, with 93 percent of this total emanating
from retail trade categories and the remaining 7
percent from the food and drink category.
Note that this analysis is not a definitive indicator
of retail opportunities within Yorkville. Successfully
recruiting new businesses to an area requires,
among other factors, the character and proximity of
competitors or potential competitors, the demographic
and socioeconomic makeup of the localized consumer
base, vehicular and pedestrian traffic levels, and the
availability of suitable land and/or commercial space.
BUSINESS NAME ADDRESS TYPE OF BUSINESS CATEGORY
Yorkville Glass and Mirror 123 E. Hydraulic Street House Repairs Business Service
GCP Sales 204 Heustis Street Golf-Carts Business Service
Jack Hudson Insurance 108 S. Bridge Street Insurance Business Service
Grieter's Mechanical 121 E. Hydraulic Street Mechanical Contractor Business Service
Upper Crust Catering 109 S. Bridge Street Catering Business Service
Caring Hands Thrift Shop 220 S. Bridge Street Former Thrift Store Closed/Vacant
Record Newspapers 222 South Bridge Street Newspaper Publisher Office
Old Second Bank 102 E. Van Emmon St.Bank Closed/Vacant
Vacant 208 S. Bridge Street Office Closed/Vacant
Vacant 135 E. Van Emmon Office Closed/Vacant
Residential Homesites 214 South Bridge Street Office Closed/Vacant
Mongolian 211 219 S. Bridge Street Food/Beverage Closed/Vacant
Cobblestone Bakery and Bistro 101 W. Van Emmon Street Food/Beverage Closed/Vacant
Law Offices 103 E. Van Emmon St.Law Office Closed/Vacant
Semper Fi Yard Service 212 S. Bridge Street Yard Work Closed/Vacant
Ginger & Soul 131 E. Hydraulic Street Food/Beverage Food/Beverage
Rivers Edge Theater 217 South Bridge Street Theater Entertainment
Rowdy's 210 South Bridge Street Bar Food/Beverage
Foxy's Ice Cream 131 E. Hydraulic Street Food/Beverage Food/Beverage
Casa Santiago 227 Heustis Street Food/Beverage Food/Beverage
Barley Fork 209 South Bridge Street Food/Beverage Food/Beverage
Kendall County Farm Bureau 111 E. Van Emmon Office Government
Masonic Office Lodge 214 South Bridge Street Office Lodge
HD Backhoe Service LLC 109 S. Bridge Street Contractors Office
Foxes Den Hairstyling 109 S. Bridge Street Hair Salon Personal Service
Satya Healing Market 202 S. Bridge Street Healing Center Personal Service
Kairi Kearns Therapy 202 S. Bridge Street Therapy Office Personal Service
Dickson's Building:
Yorkville Judo and Trinity Fitness 130 Bridge Street Plaza Gym Recreation/Fitness
Freeman's Sports 129 E. Hydraulic Street Bait Shop Recreation/Fitness
Yak Shack 301 E. Hydraulic Street Kayak Rentals Recreation/Fitness
Sense of Samadhi 202 S. Bridge Street Yoga Studio Recreation/Fitness
Yorkville Flower Shop 214 South Bridge Street Flower Shop Retail
Table 3.16: Downtown Yorkville Business Inventory Table 3.17: Retail Gap Analysis
Source: Based on Fieldwork, June 2015 Source: Esri Business Analyst
47
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• Moreover, Oswego continues to develop, and
the Village has an aggressive retail growth plan
in place for both U.S. 34 and Orchard Road,
which it sees as a “growth corridor.” According
to the Village, plans include the recruitment of
a high-end grocery store, furniture stores, and
a Costco in the near future.
• Finally, a wild card with the potential to
impact both the commercial and residential
markets in Yorkville is the enormous Hudson
Pointe mixed-use development proposed for
the southwest corner of U.S. 30 and Wolf’s
Crossing Road in Oswego. If developed
as currently envisioned, Hudson Pointe
will add more than 34 acres of commercial
development along with up to 1,600 new
housing units to regional inventories. A
community of such scale could further shift the
focus of growth towards Oswego, dampening
retail and residential demand potentials in
Yorkville.
Notwithstanding these challenges, potential
opportunities for retail development do exist in
Yorkville, primarily in the following forms:
• Grocery-anchored development. As discussed,
Yorkville has the potential to support additional
specialty grocery store development. The
estimated gap of more than $24 million in
grocery spending would, if realized, support
the addition of a mid-size specialty and/or
regionally-based grocer. Not only would such a
RETAIL CONCLUSIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Despite the opening of several key retail stores in the
late 2000s – primarily in the Kendall Marketplace and
Yorkville Marketplace shopping centers, Yorkville has
seen only modest growth in overall retail sales volumes
over the last ten years. While Yorkville remains
underserved in several key retail segments, as noted in
this analysis as well as the Retail Coach report, several
challenges will impede its ability to draw significant
new retail investment in the near and mid-term. These
include the following:
• The population of Yorkville is expected to
grow only modestly in the coming five to ten
years. In an era where “retail follows rooftops”,
national retailers, who routinely weigh
hundreds of expansion opportunities across
the country, are unlikely to seek out Yorkville
unless significant existing demand is amply
demonstrated.
• Yorkville’s north/south divide dampens its retail
potential. As noted previously, feedback from
area residents and other stakeholders suggests
that Yorkville residents routinely travel to
Oswego and Montgomery for shopping trips.
Reportedly, this is particularly true of residents
of southern Yorkville, who often find traveling
to Oswego quicker and easier than traveling
north along Illinois 47 to the heart of Yorkville’s
retail district at Illinois 47 and U.S. 34, given
traffic bottlenecks along Illinois 47. (Though
completion of current major construction work
along this route is expected to help relieve
congestion.)
store be a benefit to the residents of Yorkville,
the traffic generated would likely draw interest
from additional retailers and service providers
seeking proximity or co-tenancy.
• Downtown development. Downtown Yorkville,
with its picturesque Fox River views, has the
potential to draw residents and visitors alike
to businesses, parks and recreation areas, and
outdoor events. Supportable uses within the
downtown area in the near to mid-term would
likely include additional eating and drinking
establishments, and recreation-oriented
businesses. In May, the City approved TIF
financing for Three Angels nanobrewery to be
located at what once was the Ingemunson Law
Offices. The City has also approved plans for a
cooking school and catering business at a city-
owned building at Hydraulic Street. The City
needs to continue to promote new businesses
to locate downtown in order to revitalize the
downtown area.
With time, careful planning and incubation, and, most
importantly, community support, a thriving downtown
District could be fostered with the critical mass needed
to lure additional businesses to the area. However,
serious market challenges must be addressed in order
to make this vision a reality. These include industrial
blight on the eastern side of the district, inadequate
parking, and high volumes of fast-moving traffic along
Illinois 47 that make this most desirable commercial
stretch of downtown also its most dangerous and
unfriendly for pedestrians.
OFFICE MARKET DATA
Yorkville is located further west than the existing
concentrations of west suburban multi tenant and
single-user corporate office buildings. Therefore, the
amount of investment grade office space in the City is
limited.
In Yorkville, business and professional service firms
tend to be located adjacent to retail tenants in the
various commercial shopping centers. The City is also
home to several medical office users.
• Aurora-based Rush-Copley has a 45-acre
medical campus in Yorkville located on Route
34. The complex contains an urgent-care
center, oncology center, diagnostic center, and
physician offices. The complex opened in 2008,
and was built in anticipation of the healthcare
needs of the growing Yorkville population. In
2012, a 6,000 square foot emergency center
was added to the medical campus.
• Advocate Dreyer Medical Clinic and Presence
Mercy Medical Center also have medical office
locations nearby to Rush-Copley in Yorkville. A
few other in-line medical offices are located in
nearby strip centers.
48
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Figure 3.13 - Residential Zoning DistrictsGraph 3.13 - Residential Zoning Districts
B-1 Local Business
B-2 Retail Commerce
B-3 General Business
B-4 Service District
The B-1 Local Business District zoning designation is intended
for the location of commercial and professional facilities that are
especially useful in close proximity to residential areas. The district
is designed to provide convenient shopping and services that
meet the needs and enhances the quality of life for surrounding
residential neighborhoods. This district also encourages dwelling
units located above the first floor of a permitted use to create
mixed use buildings. The minimum lot size for the B-1 Zone is
10,000 square feet with a maximin building coverage of 50 percent.
30 foot front yards are required with 20 foot side and rear yards
also required. Building heights are limited to 6-stories or 80 feet.
The B-2 Retail Commerce Business District zoning designation is
intended for the location of retail shops and stores offering goods
to the population. Buildings in this district are allowed to build on
a majority of the lot with diminished setbacks. This allows shops
and stores to maximize retail space while supporting a pedestrian
friendly environment in retail shopping areas. This district also
encourages dwelling units located above the first floor of a
permitted use to create mixed use buildings. The minimum lot size
for the B-2 Zone is 10,000 square feet with a maximin building
coverage of 80 percent. There is no front yard requirement,
however 20 foot side and rear yards are required. Building heights
are limited to 6-stories or 80 feet.
The B-3 General Business District zoning designation is intended
for the location of a broad range of commercial uses, including
small scale and large scale businesses. These uses are usually
oriented toward automobile access and visibility; therefore they
are typically set along major arterial roads. The businesses in this
district are meant to serve regional as well as local customers. This
district also encourages dwelling units located above the first floor
of a permitted use to create mixed use buildings. The minimum lot
size for the B-3 Zone is 10,000 square feet with a maximin building
coverage of 50 percent. 50 foot front yards are required with 20
foot side and rear yards also required. Building heights are limited
to 6-stories or 80 feet.
The B-4 Service Business District zoning designation is intended
for the location of a variety of service based commercial uses.
These businesses focus on providing residents with services on
a local level. The minimum lot size for the B-4 Zone is 10,000
square feet with a maximin building coverage of 50 percent. 50
foot front yards are required with 20 foot side and rear yards
also required. Building heights are limited to 6-stories or 80 feet.
O Office District
The O Office District zoning designation is intended to provide
for the location of professional offices, research and development
facilities, and other related uses on parcels of at least 20,000
square feet. In addition, a mix of limited retail and service uses may
be allowed to support other uses within the zone. The O Office
District zone may be used as a transitional zone between residential
and more intensive commercial and manufacturing districts. This
district also encourages dwelling units located above the first floor
of a permitted use to create mixed use buildings. The minimum lot
size for the O Zone is 20,000 square feet with a maximin building
coverage of 50 percent. 30 foot front yards are required with
10 foot side yards and 20 foot rear yards also required. Building
heights are limited to 6-stories or 80 feet.
B-1
4 ACRES
B-3
1,125 ACRES
B-2
84 ACRES
O
82 ACRES
B-4
1 ACRE
COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICTS
Commercial development is regulated by one of five
commercial zoning districts, outlined below:
Figure 3.13: Commercial Zoning Districts
49
SECTION 3 - LAND USES
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTUREDRAFT
UNDEVELOPED COMMERCIAL ZONING AREAS
Apart from land that is already developed and zoned
for commercial development, there are several areas in
Yorkville that are currently zoned but undeveloped for
commercial use. These areas are located throughout
Yorkville but the more significant parcels are within the
community’s northern quadrant along Illinois Route 47
and Veterans Parkway, and are zoned in two different
commercial zoning categories, B-2 Retail Commerce
and B-3 General Business. These areas represent more
than 6.4 million square feet of commercial space that
according to current market conditions may not be
developed in the near future.
SUMMARY OF COMMERCIAL LAND USE OBSERVATIONS
The following are key observations and issues related
to commercial land use in Yorkville:
• Downtown Yorkville remains a key opportunity
for reinvestment and redevelopment given
its adjacency to the traditional single
family neighborhoods and the recreational
opportunities along the Fox River and nearby
parks. Targeted initiatives in addressing key
downtown issues, such as its brownfield and
urban design challenges, will be important in
spurring downtown reinvestment. Inadequate
parking and high volumes of fast-moving
traffic along Illinois Route 47 also need to be
addressed as key issues for downtown.
• Local demand in Yorkville is being spent
in stores outside the City, especially for
groceries, general merchandise, clothing
and clothing accessories, and full service
restaurants. A significant amount of retail
development has occurred in neighboring
communities over the last decade.
Figure 3.14 - Undeveloped Commercial Zoning Areas
ZONING DISTRICT ACRES POTENTIAL
ADDITIONAL SF
O Office District 0 0
B-1 Local Business 0 0
B-2 Retail Commerce 6 65,340
B-3 General Business 587 6,392,430
B-4 Service District 0 0
Totals 593 6,457,770
Figure 3.14: Undeveloped Commercial Zoning Areas
Table 3.18: Undeveloped Commercial Zoning Areas
• Yorkville in general is over-zoned for retail and
commercial development, especially along
northern portions of Illinois Route 47 where
residential development may be slow to occur
in the long-term.
• Yorkville has the potential to support an
additional mid-sized specialty grocery store,
which in turn could spur additional retail
development adjacent to the grocery.
• There is a defined need for a more consistent,
cohesive approach to developing retail
and commercial services in the downtown,
especially in regards to downtown where
sustained efforts in attracting and incubating
new businesses should be the focus of
economic development.
50
SECTION 3 - LAND USES
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE DRAFT
Figure 3.15 - Existing Industrial Land Use Areas
INDUSTRIAL LAND USE
Within the Planning Area, Yorkville’s industrial areas
comprises 419 acres, which represents 0.9 percent of
Yorkville’s total land area. This section summarizes
general industrial land use and market conditions.
Industrial land use in Yorkville can largely be found in
five main areas both north and south of the Fox River.
EXISTING INDUSTRIAL AREAS
North of the Fox River comprise three of the larger
industrial areas in Yorkville: the Aurora Textile
industrial development, the Wrigley manufacturing
complex, and the Yorkville Business Center, which
also includes the commercial strip development facing
Illinois Route 47. All three industrial developments
account for over 507,000 square feet of industrial
space, the largest being the Wrigley manufacturing
complex – already slated to expand its facilities in 2015 –
although a significant portion of its current land parcel
is undeveloped. The Yorkville Business Center Park
includes a number of warehousing, manufacturing and
automotive-service related uses on lots that are mostly
one acre in size. West of the Illinois Route 47 is the
Aurora Textile industrial development; Aurora Textile
is a manufacturer of textiles. All three industrial areas
north of the Fox River are set back generously from
the Illinois 47 roadway and are nicely landscaped with
berms and water features providing a modern industrial
park setting.
South of the Fox River are three other industrial areas:
the Fox Industrial Park, which comprises 461,000
square feet of industrial space, the older waterfront
industrial areas of downtown and the F.W. Witt
development, the latter two comprising 110,000 square
feet of industrial space. The Fox Industrial Park is home
to a number of light manufacturing and auto-related
service industries on smaller lots than found in the
Yorkville Business Park. Unlike the industrial areas
north of the Fox River, this park’s industrial buildings
are constructed closer to the sidewalk with a limited
level of landscaping treatments; directly north of
the park is a row of multifamily developments along
Colonial Parkway. Industrial is also located along
portions of the downtown just south and adjacent
to the rail spur. These uses largely reflect the once
industrial nature of the downtown.
Figure 3.15: Existing Industrial Land Use AreasTable 3.19: Existing Industrial Land Use Areas
SUBDIVISION KEY ACRES SF
Fox Industrial Park 1 42 461,178
Wrigley Manufacturing 2 289 218,163
Yorkville Business Center 3 23 159,205
Aurora Textile 4 11 130,570
Yorkville (Original Town)5 6 57,992
F.W. Witt & Co.6 3 52,911
1
2
3
4
5
6
Industrial Uses along Hydraulic Street in downtown Yorkville
51
SECTION 3 - LAND USES
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTUREDRAFT
INDUSTRIAL MARKET DATA AND ANALYSIS
Major industrial development in the far western
and southwestern portions of the Chicago region is
dependent on proximity to the interstate highway
system, and features large “big box” bulk distribution
centers as well as some industrial R & D product. The
I-88 Corridor, anchored on the west by the City of
Aurora, is located approximately 12 miles to the north
of downtown Yorkville. The Interstate 55 Corridor
follows the Stevenson Expressway as it turns south and
intersects with Interstate 80 near Joliet’s intermodal
logistics hub. Downtown Yorkville is approximately 16
miles from an entrance to Interstate 55.
As a hub of inland transportation; industrial
construction is surging in the Chicago metropolitan
area. According to global real estate firm JLL, nearly 2
million square feet are currently under construction in
the Interstate 55 corridor with another 1.7 million under
construction along Interstate 88. The pace of new
construction is somewhat slower west of Aurora along
the Interstate 88 corridor.
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ALONG ELDAMAIN RD
Yorkville and neighboring Plano have a few notable
industrial developments:
• On the west side of Eldamain Road north
of Route 34, Menard’s built a major regional
distribution center, likely in anticipation of the
proposed $1 billion Prairie Parkway highway
project that would have connected Interstates
88 and 80 approximately 1.5 miles west of
Eldamain Road. Planning for the 37-mile
roadway project was officially terminated in
2012.
• Much of the land along Eldamain Road north
of Route 34 in the City of Yorkville is zoned
industrial, although agricultural uses still
predominate, with the exception of the ComEd
transfer station that distributes and services
the City of Yorkville.
• Past plans for this land included a 32-acre
Lincoln Prairie Industrial Park across from the
Menard’s distribution center that would have
included a 14-acre asphalt plant run by Mount
Prospect-based Healy Asphalt Company. Plans
for the Konicek Farm Property called for a 234-
acre commercial and residential plan called
White Pines. Neither plan came to fruition.
WRIGLEY MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC
Yorkville is home to one of Chicago-based Wrigley
Manufacturing Company’s facilities, where some of the
company’s best known brands are made, including Juicy
Fruit, Doublemint, and Life Savers. In 2014, Wrigley
announced plans to expand the Yorkville facility, adding
the production of Skittles. The $50 million expansion,
set to be completed in 2016, will add 75 permanent
manufacturing jobs. Wrigley Manufacturing is now the
largest full-time, year-round employer in Yorkville.
The Wrigley expansion is being assisted in part by
the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic
Opportunity (DCEO), which will provide $2 million in
tax incentives through the Economic Development for
a Growing Economy (EDGE) program. DCEO also is
investing $250,000 in the 147,000 sq. ft. construction
expansion and $37,500 in job training.
FOX INDUSTRIAL PARK
Fox Industrial Park is approximately 54 acres of
industrially-zoned land located southeast of the
intersection of Route 47 and East Schoolhouse Road
in Yorkville. Some of the single-tenant buildings were
constructed as early as the 1970s. Advertised rents for
vacant spaces are as low as $3 per square foot. The
diverse mix of businesses located in the Fox Industrial
Park includes Merlin 200,000 Miles Autobody Shop,
Kendall County Food Pantry, and O’Malley Welding
and Fabricating.
DOWNTOWN INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES:
In 1870, the railroad came to Yorkville and businesses
sprung up along the tracks and nearby river. Past
Industrial users included Squire Dingee’s pickle factory,
the Yorkville Ice Company, the Rehbehn Brothers
button factory, and Schneider’s lumber mill. Industrial
users utilized the area’s natural resources.
Presently, the land north of the train tracks that runs
along Hydraulic Street and the Fox River is used for
industrial, retail, and recreational purposes. The area
south of the train tracks includes a large parking lot,
one storage silo that houses golf carts, one vacant
mill facility, and Nicholson Logging and Lumber which
is active and sells lumber. These properties face the
newly renovated Bicentennial Riverfront Park.
New industrial development is not likely to be a major
component of downtown Yorkville’s future but perhaps
future commercial and/or residential development in
the downtown can reflect its past industrial roots.
Industrial Uses in the Yorkville Business Park Industrial Uses in the Fox Industrial Park
52
SECTION 3 - LAND USES
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE DRAFT
M-2 General ManufacturingM-1 Limited Manufacturing
The M-1 Limited Manufacturing District zoning designation is
intended to provide for the location of manufacturing, industrial,
and related uses of a limited nature in size that will not have a
harmful environmental effect on surrounding areas. Industries
within this district are expected to follow performance standards
to produce an environment suitable for industrial activities that will
be pleasant and compatible with adjacent residential and business
uses. The maximum lot coverage in the M-1 Zone is 60 percent. 25
foot front yards are required while no rear yards are required. Side
yards must be a minimum of 10 percent of the lot up to twenty feet.
There are no building height limits, but floor area ratio is limited to
0.8.
The M-2 General Manufacturing District zoning designation is
intended to provide for the location of manufacturing, industrial
and related uses in a less restrictive nature than the M-1 Limited
Manufacturing District. The district is designed to accommodate
industrial activities that have moderate environmental effects
but are located in relatively remote areas as to not conflict with
residential and business uses. Industries within this district are
expected to follow performance standards in order to create fewer
problems of compatibility with adjacent properties. The maximum
lot coverage in the M-2 Zone is 60 percent. 25 foot front yards are
required while no rear yards are required. Side yards must be a
minimum of 10 percent of the lot up to twenty feet. There are no
building height limits, but floor area ratio is limited to 0.85.
Figure 3.16 -Industrial Zoning Districts
Graph 3.16 -Industrial Zoning Districts
M-2
386 ACRES
M-1
663 ACRES
Figure 3.16: Industrial Zoning Districts
INDUSTRIAL ZONING DISTRICTS
Industrial development is regulated by one of two
manufacturing zoning districts, outlined below:
Menard’s Distribution Center along Eldamain RoadClass II Truck Route along Eldamain Road
53
SECTION 3 - LAND USES
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTUREDRAFT
UNDEVELOPED INDUSTRIAL ZONING AREAS
Apart from land that is already developed and zoned
for industrial development, there are several areas in
Yorkville that are currently zoned but undeveloped
for industrial use. These areas are located in different
locations throughout Yorkville, in its northeastern
quadrant along Eldamain Road adjacent to Plano, its
far southwestern quadrant along State Route 71, and
near the northeast corner of State Routes 71 and 47.
The northeast quadrant is zoned primarily M-2 General
Manufacturing while the other parcels are zoned M-1
Limited Manufacturing; in total, there are 589 acres of
industrially-zoned land that is currently undeveloped.
SUMMARY OF INDUSTRIAL LAND USE OBSERVATIONS
The following are key observations and issues related
to industrial land use in Yorkville:
• The expansion of the Wrigley manufacturing
complex and the relative occupancy of the Fox
Industrial Park provides for a stable light industrial
base but Yorkville’s relative distant location from
interstate roadway access may be limiting factors in
recruiting larger scale industrial and warehousing
uses, at least in the short-term.
• Undeveloped land currently zoned industrial
appear to be appropriate locations for future
industrial expansion, especially in Yorkville’s
northwestern quadrant, although, again such
Figure 3.17 - Undeveloped Industrial Zoning Areas
ZONING DISTRICT ACRES POTENTIAL
ADDITIONAL SF
M-1 Limited
Manufacturing 203 7,074,144
M-2 General
Manufacturing 386 14,292,036
Totals 589 21,366,180
Figure 3.17: Undeveloped Industrial Zoning Areas
Table 3.20: Undeveloped
Industrial Zoning Areas
development may be long-term. In addition,
planned residential uses in this area should be
carefully considered given that potential conflicts
could exist between residential and industrial uses.
Ideally, Eldamain Road north of these sites should
be improved to accommodate long-term industrial
development; currently trucks would still need to
travel south along Eldamain Road to reach Illinois
Route 34 in order to travel east, west and then
north or south to reach interstate access.
• The undeveloped industrially-zoned land to the
south of Fox Industrial Park could provide a long-
term opportunity to expand that park, as well as
redesign and redevelop it into a more modern,
landscaped setting.
• Downtown industrial land uses should
be considered long-term redevelopment
opportunity sites for new commercial or mixed-
use opportunities. However, some form of light
industrial and assembly use with a potential retail
sales component could be accommodated to full
vacant spaces in the downtown district.
• The Yorkville Business Park is currently a mix of
commercial with industrial uses; long-term the
Park could transition to accommodating more
commercial uses given its location along Illinois
Route 47 and its adjacent residential areas.
54
SECTION 3 - LAND USES
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE DRAFT
PUBLIC / QUASI-PUBLIC LAND USE
Within the Planning Area, Yorkville’s Quasi-Public
land uses comprises 349 acres, which represents 0.8
percent of Yorkville’s total Planning Area. This section
summarizes general public and quasi-public land
uses. According to the 2008 Comprehensive Plan,
community facilities are buildings or places that provide
services to residents - facilities such as City Hall and
the Police Department, Public Works, and Parks
and Recreation, and the Public Library. Community
facilities also include schools and fire stations, as well as
the United States Post Office and other Kendall County
buildings and complexes. As with the Transportation
and Infrastructure Section of this Comprehensive Plan,
the United City of Yorkville already has a number of
community facility plans in place, several dating to
before the preparation of the 2008 Comprehensive
Plan. These plans include:
• 2007 United City of Yorkville School Site Study
• 2008 United City of Yorkville Parks and
Recreation Master Plan Update
• 2007 United City of Yorkville School Site Study
• 2007 Bristol Kendall Fire Protection District
Existing and Future Facilities Map
• 2005 United City of Yorkville Downtown Vision
and Municipal Facilities Plan
• 2004 Kendall County Trails and Greenways Plan
EXISTING PUBLIC / QUASI-PUBLIC AREAS
Yorkville has two significant civic complexes north
of the Fox River, including the Kendall County
Courthouse and Jail, located just south of Veterans
Parkway (Illinois Route 34) at Cornell Lane and John
Street, and the Yorkville City Hall and Police Station
along Game Farm Road. Adjacent to the north and
south of the City Hall complex are a number of other
public uses such as the Public Library and Beecher
Community Center, and the Yorkville High School
Academy and Grade School buildings. Directly to the
east of City Hall and the Library are the Beecher ball
fields, which also serves as a community gathering
space for the community’s larger festivals and
events. To the west of City Hall and Game Farm
Road is Yorkville High School, which has undergone a
significant expansion. This complex of public and civic
uses along Game Farm Road along a two-lane road with
generous spacing between buildings and setbacks from
the roadway reinforces the somewhat suburban-semi-
Figure 3.18 - Existing Public / Quasi-Public Land Use Areas
KENDALL COUNTY KEY
Harris Forest Preserve 1
Kendall County Animal Control 2
Kendall County Coroner &
Facilities Management 3
Kendall County Courthouse 4
Kendall County
Facilities Maintenance 5
Kendall County Fairgrounds 6
Kendall County
Health Department 7
Kendall County
Highway Department 8
Kendall County Office Building 9
Kendall County
Public Safety Center 10
Old Kendall County Courthouse 11
CHURCH / INSTITUTION KEY
Au Sable Grove
Presbyterian Church 12
BP Amoco 13
Chapel On The Green 14
Cross Evangelical
Lutheran Church 15
Cross Evangelical
Lutheran Church & School 16
Gospel Assembly
Church of Oswego 17
Grace Community
Church of Yorkville 18
Helmar Lutheran Church 19
Helmar Lutheran Church 20
Lynwood Baptist Church 21
New Hope Apostolic Church 22
New Life Church 23
Trinity Church United Methodist 24
Yorkville
Congregational Church 25
Table 3.21.: Kendall County Facilities
Table 3.22: Churches and Institutions
Figure 3.18: Existing Public / Quasi-Public Land Use Areas
50
15
54
49
69
24
23
4
10
58
46
39
57
55
52
11
9
18
62
8
61
60
70
47
64
55
SECTION 3 - LAND USES
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTUREDRAFT
rural setting of this portion of Yorkville. This complex
also promotes the area as Yorkville’s civic campus,
albeit not in a downtown setting where they are
typically located.
South of the Fox River in downtown Yorkville is the
location of the historic Kendall County Courthouse
along East Main Street and other associated buildings,
including its main office and administrative building.
The Courthouse is an iconic building and set on top of
the highest point in the downtown. Other buildings
along West Ridge and Jefferson Streets adjacent to the
Courthouse are occupied by other County agencies
and departments, and various commercial uses. The
U.S. Post Office in Yorkville is located along East
Countryside Parkway Drive north of Illinois Route 34.
Figure 3.18 shows the location in Yorkville of various
other public and quasi-public uses, including the
facilities of the Bristol-Kendall Fire Protection District,
Kendall Township, churches and religious institutions
and schools, and other facilities related to community
infrastructure. The Yorkville School District currently
has ten buildings that house six elementary schools,
two intermediate schools, one high school and
one administrative building. Several schools in the
Yorkville School District are of recent construction
due to the community’s growth over the last two
decades. Several civic facilities, such as the Yorkville
City Hall and Public Library and the Kendall County
Courthouse and Jail complex along Veterans Parkway
are also of recent construction. Most churches and
religious buildings are also significant visual icons and
institutional anchors in locations throughout Yorkville.
PUBLIC / QUASI-PUBLIC LAND USE NEEDS ANALYSIS
During the planning process, most City of Yorkville
departments have stated there are no significant
facility needs at this time. The City currently shares
its office complex with the Police Department. The
library currently has no facility needs, although there
is a pressing need to maintain and improve Library’s
parking lot. The Yorkville School District will be
exploring additional facility needs in its grade schools
after it completes the high school expansion.
SCHOOLS KEY
Autumn Creek
Elementary School 49
Bristol Bay Elementary School 50
Bristol Grade School 51
Circle Center Grade School 52
Cross Lutheran School 53
Grande Reserve
Elementary School 54
Parkview Christian Academy 55
Peaceful Pathways
Montessori Academy 56
Yorkville Grade School 57
Yorkville High School 58
Yorkville High School Academy 59
Yorkville Intermediate School 60
Yorkville Middle School 61
OTHER KEY
Bristol Kendall Fire District #1 62
Bristol Kendall FPD Station #2 63
Bristol Kendall Fire District #3 64
Bristol Post Office 65
Bristol Town Hall 66
IDOT Yorkville
Maintenance Yard 67
Kendall Township 68
United States Post Office 69
Yorkville-Bristol
Sanitary District 70
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE KEY
Beecher Community Building 26
Bicentennial Riverfront Park 27
Booster PRV Station - South
(Raintree)28
Booster Pump - North 29
Bruell Street Lift Station 30
Countryside Lift Station 31
COY Well #3 32
COY Well #7 &
Treatment Facility 33
COY Well #8 &
Treatment Facility 34
Raintree Village - Water Tower 35
Raintree Village Lift Station 36
River's Edge Lift Station 37
United City of Yorkville -
Public Works Facility 38
United City of Yorkville
City Hall 39
United City of Yorkville
Parks & Rec Dept 40
United City of Yorkville
Police Dept 41
Water Tower - North 42
Water Tower - North Central 43
Water Tower - Northeast-
Grande Reserve 44
Boombah Boulevard Lift Station 45
Yorkville Public Library 46
Yorkville Public Works 47
Yorkville Well #4/
Treatment Facility 48
Table 3.23: United City of Yorkville Facilities Table 3.24 School Facilities
Table 3.25: Other Public Facilities
After the High School expansion is complete, the
District will be assessing facility needs for the grade
schools; both the Autumn Creek and Bristol Bay
subdivisions have started to grow and their local
schools may need more space. In addition, the
School District is undertaking a substantial review
of its school structure and potential realignment
of its school boundaries. Currently, schools are
organized around micro-neighborhoods; overall, there
is potential to changing which schools serve which
neighborhood or residential subdivision. Kendall
County is also exploring potential expansion of its
office and administrative facilities near its downtown
location, mainly due to the lack of available land
adjacent to its Veterans Parkway facility; expanding
in the downtown is also a possibility and a challenge
given the lack of land. The Yorkville Recreation
Department has also expressed the need for a new
maintenance building.
SUMMARY OF PUBLIC / QUASI-PUBLIC LAND USE
OBSERVATIONS
The following are key observations and issues related
to Public/Quasi-Public land use in Yorkville:
• The Yorkville community appears to be well-
served by its community facilities, by their location
and by the quality of new building and facility
construction.
• The need for new schools appear to be long-
term concerns given the slow-down of residential
construction in Yorkville in recent years, although
expanding existing schools remains a top priority
especially if a school boundary restructuring is
considered and undertaken in the near term.
• During the planning process, community
stakeholders have suggested that Yorkville City
Hall would be better placed in the downtown
rather than on Game Farm Road, thereby
providing another anchor destination besides the
Kendall County complex on East Main Street.
Other stakeholders have suggested that a
downtown City Hall building could be combined
with a new Kendall County office complex.
56
SECTION 3 - LAND USES
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE DRAFT
PARKS AND OPEN SPACE LAND USE
Within the Planning Area, Yorkville’s parks and open
space areas comprises 2,526 acres, which represents 5.6
percent of Yorkville’s total Planning Area. This section
summarizes general parks and open space conditions.
In general, Yorkville is amply served by parks managed
and owned by the United City of Yorkville and other
public and private entities.
EXISTING PARKS AND OPEN SPACE AREAS
Yorkville’s Parks and Recreation Department owns
and manages approximately 268 acres of park land
and open space throughout the community with a
vast majority located north of the Fox River. These
park spaces range in size and uses from mini parks
or tot lots of one acre in size to regional parks of 40
acres in size or more in order to accommodate a wider
range of uses and attract park users from beyond
Yorkville. Other neighborhood and community park
ranges in size from two to ten or more acres in size
to accommodate the recreational needs of one or
more neighborhoods and incorporate facilities such
as play spaces and playground equipment, basketball
and tennis courts, ball fields, pedestrian and bicycle
paths, and complexes for sport tournaments. Natural
resource areas are also found throughout Yorkville
Figure 3.19 - Existing Park / Open Space Land Use Areas
Figure 3.18: Existing Park / Open Space Land Use Areas
with an intent on maintaining wooded and forested
areas while allowing some space for picnic areas and
walking trails. Yorkville’s two regional parks, Bristol Bay
and Steven G. Bridge Park, are the two largest in the
system at 65 and 56 acres respectively. The Beecher
Park athletic complex adjacent to the public Library
and the Beecher Community Center is at 20 acres.
Riverfront Bicentennial Park is regarded by many
Yorkville stakeholders as the community’s showcase
park given its location adjacent to the Fox River and
the introduction of the rapids chute in recent years.
Beyond the City-owned parks, there are 15 Kendall
County Forest Preserve facilities which are located
within the Planning Area, including the Hoover
Outdoor Educational Center, which at 400 acres is one
of the largest park and open spaces within the Yorkville
Planning Area. The Educational Center provides
outdoor learning experiences and a living history area
for Yorkville area students and residents. The Kendall
County Fairgrounds is also located in Yorkville at the
Harris County Forest Preserve at Illinois Route 71 and
East Highpoint Road, which, in addition to hosting the
annual Kendall County Fair, also maintains a horse
arena, a lake, picnic shelters, and trails. To Yorkville’s
40
48
54
5
626
12 11
2
2116
51
27
9
43538
44
18 41
33
50
22 15 36
35
37
25
52
20
10
42
23
14
45
47
4
Hometown Days Summer Festival at the Beecher Center
57
SECTION 3 - LAND USES
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTUREDRAFT
eastern quadrant along the southern bank of Fox River
is Saw Wee Kee Park managed by the Oswegoland
Park District; this park is adjacent to other open space
and forest preserve land administered by other private
sector entities and the State of Illinois. To the north
along the intersection of Kennedy and Bristol Ridge
Roads is the Blackberry Oaks Golf Course; directly
to the west of the golf course is 80 acres of open
space owned by Openlands, a regional non-profit
land and nature conservation organization. The land
was conveyed to Openlands in an effort to preserve
wilderness and open space areas in Yorkville. Other
parks, recreational facilities and open spaces are also
owned and managed by individual Yorkville homeowner
associations. Silver Spring Park and the Mies van der
Rohe-design Farnsworth House are located directly
west of Yorkville.
PARKS AND OPEN SPACE NEEDS ANALYSIS
The 2008 Parks and Recreation Master Plan
suggested several recommendations for parks and
recreational facility standards based on park planning
standards promulgated by the Illinois Department
of Natural Resources and the National Recreation
and Park Association. For the most part, Yorkville
meets the majority of the standards and provides
more than adequate park facilities for its residents
within close proximity to residential neighborhoods.
Recommendations proposed in the Master Plan include
the need to link parks and public spaces through
a system of paved trails and greenways, locating a
community athletic park with good access from Route
47 and available land, a lighted sports facility, and to
continue developing greenways and trail locations
throughout Yorkville (bike and pedestrian trails are
discussed in the transportation chapter). A water-spray
park feature in one of Yorkville’s neighborhoods was
also considered a top priority.
During this comprehensive planning process,
community stakeholders have expressed the need to
develop a recreational facility for indoor activities and
a new park on the City’s south side that could be in the
range of 50 to 100 acres. Some planning has already
been undertaken for the recreational facility by the
Parks and Recreation Department. The Department
also needs a new maintenance building given that
future park maintenance needs are projected to
be more significant in the future. In addition, the
Department has tried to attract baseball tournaments;
however, only one field is currently lighted. The
Department also owns property west of the Illinois
Route 47 bridge, which could be an opportunity for a
fishing pier or some other amenity along the Fox River.
There already is a fishing pier east of the canoe chute.
Table 3.26: Existing Park / Open Space Land Use Areas
PARK KEY ACRES TYPE
Baker Woods
Forest Preserve 1 -Forest Preserve
Beecher Park 2 20 Athletic Complex /
Community Park
Blackberry Creek
Forest Preserve 3 -Forest Preserve
Bristol Bay Park A 4 3 -
Bristol Station Park 5 12 Community Park
Cannonball Ridge Park 6 3 Neighborhood
Park
Cobb Park 7 1 Mini Park
Crawford Park 8 6 Natural
Resource Area
Dick Young
Forest Preserve 9 -Forest Preserve
Emily Sleezer Park 10 1 Mini Park
Fox Hill East Park 11 4 Neighborhood
Park
Fox Hill West Park 12 19 Neighborhood
Park
Gilbert Park 13 1 Mini Park
Green's Filling
Station Park 14 6 Neighborhood
Park
Harris Forest Preserve 15 -Forest Preserve
Hiding Spot Park 16 1 Mini Park
Hollenback Sugarbrush
Forest Preserve 17 1 Forest Preserve
Hoover Educational
Center 18 400 Forest Preserve
Jay Woods
Forest Preserve 19 -Forest Preserve
Jaycee Pond 20 7 Natural
Resource Area
Junior Women's Club
Park @ Heartland Circle 21 5 Neighborhood Park
Kendall County
Fairgrounds 22 -Fairgrounds
Kendall County
Forest Preserve 23 -Forest Preserve
Kendall County
Forest Preserve 24 -Forest Preserve
Kiwanis Park 25 2 Neighborhood Park
Kylan's Ridge Trail
Space 26 -Trail Space
Lyons Forest Preserve 27 -Forest Preserve
PARK KEY ACRES TYPE
Meramech
Forest Preserve 28 -Forest Preserve
Millbrook North
Forest Preserve 29 -Forest Preserve
Millbrook South
Forest Preserve 30 -Forest Preserve
Newark Forest Preserve 31 -Forest Preserve
Pickerill-Pigott
Forest Preserve 32 -Forest Preserve
Price Park 33 1 Neighborhood
Park
Purcell Park 34 1 Mini Park
Raintree Village Park A 35 1 Mini Park
Raintree Village Park B 36 7 Playground
Raintree Village
Trail Space 37 -Trail Space
Raintree Village
Trail Space 38 -Trail Space
Raintree Village
Trail Space 39 -Trail Space
Regional Park at
Bristol Bay 40 65 Regional Park
Rice Park 41 1 Mini Park
Riemenschneider Park 42 7 Neighborhood
Park
Riverfront Park 43 5 Community Park
Rivers Edge Park 44 1 Mini Park
Rotary Park 45 12 Neighborhood
Park
Silver Springs
State Park 46 -State Park
Stepping Stones Park 47 7 School/Park Site -
Neighborhood Park
Steven G. Bridge Park 48 56 Regional Park
Subat Forest Preserve 49 -Forest Preserve
Sunflower Park 50 2 Neighborhood
Park
Town Square Park 51 3 Community Park
Van Emmon Park 52 2 Community Park
West Hydraulic Park 53 1 Mini Park
Wheaton Woods 54 5 Natural
Resource Area
Town Square Park located at Illinois Route 47 and Center Street
58
SECTION 3 - LAND USES
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE DRAFT
Figure 3.20 - Open Space Zoning Districts
OS-1 Open Space (Passive)OS-2 Open Space (Recreational)
The OS-2 Open Space (Recreational) District is intended to govern
the use of city-owned recreational areas and park land. These
regulations are intended to provide safe and accessible indoor
and outdoor leisure and entertainment space for the general
public while maintaining or establishing an appropriate buffer
between differing land use types or intensities. Permitted uses
include community centers, playgrounds, recreation centers,
amphitheaters, and outdoor music venues. Front yards are required
to be at least thirty feet and side yards are required to be at
least ten feet or a distance equal to 50% of the building height,
whichever is greater, when adjacent to a residential district. Rear
yards are required to be at least twenty feet or a distance equal to
50% of the building height, whichever is greater, when adjacent
to a residential district. Building height is limited to six-stories or
eighty feet.
The OS-1 Open Space (Passive) District is intended to govern
the use of city-owned passive green space and park land.
The regulations are intended to provide for the protection,
conservation, and utilization of high-quality natural resources;
preservation of wildlife habitats; creation of scenic vistas; provision
of public gathering areas or facilities for safe and accessible
outdoor space; connectivity between other green infrastructure
via bike and hiking trails and paths; and maintain or establish
appropriate buffers between differing land use types or intensities.
Permitted uses include bicycle trails, community gardens,
conservation areas, hiking paths, parks, and stormwater detention
facilities. Front yards are required to be at least thirty feet and side
yards are required to be at least ten feet or a distance equal to
50% of the building height, whichever is greater, when adjacent to
a residential district. Rear yards are required to be at least twenty
feet or a distance equal to 50% of the building height, whichever
is greater, when adjacent to a residential district. Building height is
limited to six-stories or eighty feet.
Figure 3.20: Open Space Zoning Districts
OPEN SPACE ZONING DISTRICTS
Development of parks and open space is regulated by
one of two open space zoning districts, outlined below:
Graph 3.20 - Open Space Zoning Districts
OS-2
211 ACRES
OS-1
92 ACRES
Riverfront Park in downtown Yorkville
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THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTUREDRAFT
SUMMARY OF PARKS AND OPEN SPACE LAND USE
OBSERVATIONS
The following are key observations and issues related
to Parks and Open Space land use in Yorkville:
• The Yorkville community appears to be well-served
by its current number of parks and recreational
amenities, although the majority of parks are
located north of the Fox River.
• The Parks and Recreation Department has
recognized that the maintenance of the existing
parks is a key priority and concern going forward.
New funding and financing sources will need to be
developed and could include fundraising initiatives
and public-private partnerships. There already is an
agreement for maintenance services on one park
facility with the Yorkville Junior Women’s Club.
• There have been recent community discussions
about transitioning the Parks and Recreation
Department into a park district as a way to maintain
and enhance the Yorkville’s park system. While
Shady Oak Grove in the Yorkville Business Park
Channel Restoration Area along the Fox River in downtown Yorkville
Many subdivisions, including Grande Reserve, include protected Open Space
there are benefits to becoming a park district, the
Department currently saves money and resource
by sharing equipment and staffing resources with
other City departments.
• Yorkville stakeholders have demonstrated a high
level of understanding of the needs and benefits
of maintaining its open spaces and natural areas.
The protection of such land in association with land
trusts and non-profits such as Openlands could
provide additional partnership opportunities for
land conservation in areas where conservation
is warranted. Development tools such as
conservation subdivisions should also be explored
as one way to increase open space, protect
Yorkville’s scenic qualities and encourage new
development in more compact forms.
• The Parks and Recreation Master Plan was
last prepared in 2008; a new plan will need to
be developed in alignment with the goals and
objectives of the updated Comprehensive Plan.
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SECTION 3 - LAND USES
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE DRAFT
AGRICULTURAL LAND USES
Within the Planning Area, Yorkville’s agricultural land
areas comprises 32,531 acres, which represents 71.9
percent of Yorkville’s total Planning Area, making it the
predominate land use. This section summarizes general
agricultural land use conditions.
EXISTING AGRICULTURAL AREAS
Agricultural land is mainly located around the perimeter
of Yorkville’s developed area to the north, south,
east and west with the majority south of Illinois Route
71. These areas contain working farms with corn and
soybeans as the main crops. The majority of the farming
area is accessed by state and county-designated routes.
AGRICULTURAL MARKET DATA AND ANALYSIS
Agriculture is an important component of the City of
Yorkville and Kendall County economies. Agricultural
land use is scattered throughout Yorkville, but is
predominately located in the southern and western
portions of the Planning Area. While only a portion of
incorporated Yorkville is actually zoned for agricultural
uses, significant acreage in both incorporated and
unincorporated areas are operated as working farms.
Some farmland that was planned for development prior
to the recession has returned to agricultural uses.
Figure 3.21: Existing Agricultural Land Use Areas
Figure 3.21 - Existing Agricultural Land Use AreasAgricultural Land Uses along Illinois Route 47
The 2011 Comprehensive Plan for Kendall County
calls for the continuation of viable agricultural
activities and preservation of its rural character.
The Land Resources Management Plan (LRMP) for
agriculture in Kendall County aims to separate farm
activities from urban intrusion to maximize successful
agriculture and natural environment conditions.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) tracks
agriculture data by county, and corn and soybeans
are the commodities most commonly grown in
Kendall County. The USDA estimates in 2013, 85,200
acres of corn were planted in the county, yielding
over 15 million bushels of production. In the nine-
county Northeast Illinois region, 7.5% of the corn
production comes from Kendall County. Soybeans,
and to a lesser extent, wheat and alfalfa are also
grown in the County. In 2013, Kendall County
planted 51,000 acres of soybeans and produced 2.5
million bushels of production, approximately 7.2% of
Northeast Illinois’ soybean production.
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SUMMARY OF AGRICULTURAL LAND USE OBSERVATIONS
The following are key observations and issues related
to agricultural land use in Yorkville:
• Historically, Yorkville has been the center for
Kendall County’s agricultural industry for many
decades and is also the dominate land use in the
Yorkville Planning Area. From a land use and
economic perspective, agricultural land provides
several benefits, including the serving as a base of
local employment and as buffering space between
other land uses. Maintaining agricultural land uses
should be considered an important component of a
future Yorkville land use strategy.
• Although most farms in the Yorkville grow
soybeans and corn as the primary crop, other types
of agricultural crops and agribusinesses, such as
a cannabis farm, could support additional jobs
and employment while maintaining local Yorkville
land for farming purposes. Yorkville’s land use
regulations already permit alternative farm crop
uses. Yorkville could also work with other county-
wide partners to promote agri-tourism to the area.
A-1 Agricultural
The purpose and intent of the agricultural zoning district is to
provide for the protection, conservation, and utilization of natural
resources; to preserve the value of existing and future open space
and recreational facilities; and to allow for interim adaptive re-use
of marginal agricultural and/or pasture lands pending the orderly
redevelopment of the real estate. Permitted uses include apiaries,
cultivation of non-food field crops and seeds, farming, forestation,
greenhouses and nurseries, grain elevators and storage, stables
or paddocks, temporary roadside stands, single-family residential
dwellings for occupants that are engaged in the agricultural
activities on the premises, and auction houses. Building setbacks
include two hundred feet from the right-of-way along primary
thoroughfares and one hundred feet from the right-of-way of
all other streets. Side yards are required to be at least fifty feet.
Residential structures are limited to have a maximum height of
thirty feet, while grain silos are limited to a height of one hundred
feet. All other buildings and structures are limited to a height of
eighty feet.
AGRICULTURAL ZONING DISTRICTS
Agricultural land is regulated by the A-1 Agricultural
zoning district, outlined below:
Graph 3.22 - Agricultural Zoning Districts
A-1
1,008 ACRES
Figure 3.22: Agricultural Zoning Districts
Figure 3.22 - Agricultural Zoning DistrictsAgricultural Land Uses along Illinois Route 47
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THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE DRAFT
PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENTS
Within the Planning Area, Yorkville’s planned unit
developments (PUD) comprises 942 acres of land within
the Planning Area. A planned unit development is a
grouping of both varied and compatible land uses, such
as residential, parks and open space, and commercial,
within one contained development or subdivision.
Planned unit development are also a specific regulatory
process defined within the City of Yorkville’s Zoning
Ordinance. Since planned unit developments are
not described as a specific land use classification,
this section describes the number of PUDs within the
City’s municipal boundaries on both developed and
undeveloped land as defined on the City’s current
zoning map.
EXISTING PUD AREAS
Currently, there are 12 different planned unit
developments within the Yorkville Planning Area and
located both north and south of the Fox River. Two of
the 12 planned unit developments comprise a mix of
existing commercial, office, residential and open space
land uses; the other 10 planned unit developments are
each strictly residential, commercial or agricultural in
its existing land use. The Kendall Marketplace is the
largest planned unit development in Yorkville at 187
acres.
PUD Planned Unit Development
Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) are unique and differ
substantially from conventional subdivisions and therefore require
administrative processing as “Special Uses”. PUDs are a complex
type of Special Use, potentially consisting of various land uses
and design elements, requiring the establishment of more specific
procedures, standards, and exceptions from the strict application
of the zoning district regulations to guide the recommendations of
the Plan Commission and the action of the City Council. PUDs are
typically established in order to allow and encourage development
with innovation, increased amenities, and creative environmental
and architectural design which would not be possible to achieve
under the otherwise standard zoning district regulations, while
being in general compliance with the planning objectives and
intent of the zoning ordinance. Under this procedure, well planned
residential, industrial/manufacturing, commercial and other types
of land uses, individually or in combination, may be developed with
design flexibility allowing for full utilization of the topographical
and environmental characteristics of the site.
PUDs must have an approved development plan which provides
for a unified design, contiguity between various elements and
be environmentally compatible with the surrounding area. There
should be an increased benefit upon the health, safety, and
general welfare of the public and particularly, in the immediate
surroundings, than developments built in conformity with the
underlying district regulations. PUDs must be developed as a unit
under single ownership or control, which includes two or more
principal buildings, and which is at least four acres in area, except
for planned developments operated by a municipal corporation
which shall be at least two acres in area, and Planned Unit
Developments in manufacturing districts which shall be at least ten
acres in area.
Figure 3.23: PUD Zoning Districts
Figure 3.23 - PUD Zoning Districts
PUD NAME KEY EXISTING LAND USE ACRES SQUARE FEET / UNITS
Schramm Property 1 Agricultural 180 0
B&P Properties 2 Residential 14 0
Kendall Marketplace 3
Commercial 140 711,232 sf
Residential 35 28 units
Open Space 12 -
Rush Copely Healthcare Center 4 Office 41 221,370 sf
Cannonball Trails 5 Residential 1 1 unit
Office 5 0
Yorkville Crossing 6 Agricultural 178 0
Yorkville Town Center 7 Residential 25 0
Fountain View 8 Public/Quasi-Public 4 7,300 sf
Edward Healthcare 9 Agricultural 89 0
Windmill Farms 10 Agricultural 51 0
Residential 50 12 units
Towns at Windett Reserve 11 Agricultural 93 0
Loving Arms Daycare 12 Public/Quasi-Public 24 18,000 sf
Table 3.27: PUD Zoning Districts
1
12
2
4
5
3
6
6
7
8 9
10
11
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THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTUREDRAFT
PUD NAME ANTICIPATED
LAND USE ACRES PROJECTED
UNITS
YEARS TO
BUILD-OUT
PROJECTED
SQUARE FEET
Schramm Property
Residential 111 333 5.4 -
Comemrcial 69 --751,410
B&P Properties Residential 14 42 .7 -
Cannonball Trails Commercial 6 --65,340
Yorkville Crossing
Commercial 109 --1,187,0101
Residential 69 207 3.3 -
Yorkville Town Center Commercial 25 --272,250
Fountain View Commercial 4 --43,560
Edward Healthcare
Commercial 64 --691,515
Residential 25 75 1.2 -
Windmill Farms
Commercial 92 --1,001,880
Residential 9 27 .4 -
Towns at Windett Reserve Residential 93 279 4.5 -
Loving Arms Daycare Commercial 24 --261,360
TOTALS -714 963 15.5 4,274,325
UNDEVELOPED PUD ZONING AREAS
In addition to the existing PUD’s there are 10 other
planned unit developments that are not developed
totaling 714 acres of land in Yorkville. The anticipated
land use in these PUDs are either commercial
or residential. The largest of these planned unit
developments is the Schramm Property PUD, which
will consist of 111 acres of residential and 69 acres of
commercial development, and the Yorkville Crossing
development, which will consist of 109 acres of
commercial land and 69 acres of residential.
Figure 3.24: Undeveloped PUD Zoning Areas
Figure 3.24 - Undeveloped PUD Zoning Areas
Table 3.28: Undeveloped PUD Zoning Districts Build-Out Projections
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SECTION 3 - LAND USES
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE DRAFT
HISTORIC RESOURCES
Historic buildings, sites and structures are important
elements to revitalizing neighborhoods and traditional
commercial districts and help to define and inform a
community’s image and brand identity. In Yorkville, the
Kendall County Courthouse and the Yorkville School
(Parkview Christian Academy) are currently the only
properties that are listed in the National Register of
Historic Places, this nations’ official list of buildings,
sites and structures that are worthy of preservation.
The National Register of Historic Places is a program
of the National Park Service, authorized under the
National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, and
administered in the State of Illinois by the Illinois
Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA). Listing in the
National Register does not impose restrictions on the
use of private property but does provide tax credits for
the rehabilitation of income-producing buildings and
other incentives.
Presently, there are no National Register Historic
Districts in Yorkville and nor are there current
historic resource surveys that identify and document
architecturally and historically significant buildings and
structures. However, the Illinois Historic Structures and
Landmarks Surveys, undertaken by the State of Illinois
from 1970 to 1975, identified 32 properties as potentially
eligible for listing in the National Register; although,
since the survey was undertaken more than 39 years
ago, and buildings may have been altered in that time,
additional consultation with IHPA would be needed
to receive more current determinations of eligibility.
Reconnaissance-level surveys of neighborhoods
and commercial districts would also be needed to
determine if any potential National Register Historic
Districts are present in Yorkville.
PROPERTY NAME (if known)ADDRESS
Yorkville Congregational United Church of Christ 107 Center Street
108 East Somonauk Street
Northwest corner Bridge and River Road
406 S. Heustis Street
601 S. Huestis Street
Kendall County Jail and Sheriff’s Office 111 W. Madison Street
610 S. Main Street
907 S. Main Street
210 E. Main Street
Northwest corner of Morgan and Ridge Street
-507 W. Ridge Street
306 N. Bridge Street
Northeast corner of Bristol and Jackson Street
608 S. Huestis Street
206 E. Main Street
303 E. Main Street
308 E. Main Street
403 E. Main Street
Greek Revival-styled house 11519 U.S. Route 34
Commercial building Northeast corner Illinois Route 47 and Van Emmon Street
Parkview School 201 W. Center Street
Kendall County Courthouse 109 W. Ridge Street
Beck Hotel 602 S. Main Street
Schneider Saw Mill W. River Street
Kendall County War Dead Memorial Bridge Street between center and Main Streets
World Wars memorial Northeast Ridge and Main Streets
The State of Illinois surveys from the 1970s document
a wide range of properties that could be eligible for
the National Register - from Gothic Revival churches
and schools to Craftsman style residences and Chicago
Bungalows. Commercial and income-producing
buildings listed in the National Register would be
eligible to receive the Federal Historic Preservation
Tax Credit, which can be a significant incentive in
facilitating the rehabilitation and adaptive use of
some of Yorkville’s more significant historic resources,
especially along the community’s commercial corridors.
Residential buildings within National Register districts
also qualify for the Illinois Property Tax Assessment
Freeze program, which allows a homeowner to take
an eight-year tax assessment freeze for a qualified
rehabilitation of the property.
The United City of Yorkville is not currently a Certified
Local Government (CLG), a program managed
jointly between the National Park Service and the
Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Certified Local
Government status provides opportunities to receive
grants to conduct preservation planning activities,
such as surveys and National Register nominations. To
qualify as a CLG, a municipality must have an active
historic preservation commission and have adopted a
historic preservation ordinance certified by the Illinois
Historic Preservation Agency.
A complete listing of historic resources are identified in
Table 3.29.
Table 3.29: Properties Identified in Historic Architectural Geographic Information System
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SECTION 4 - TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTUREDRAFT
CURRENT CONDITIONS
ROADWAY NETWORK
Yorkville’s transportation system consists of a network
of highways, local roads, sidewalks, freight rail lines, and
trails. Yorkville is located approximately 9 miles south
of Interstate 88 and 20 miles north of Interstate 80.
The transportation network is owned and maintained
by various agencies, including IDOT, Kendall County,
and the City of Yorkville. The existing roadway and
railroad network is shown in Figure 4.1. The Chicago
Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) provided
traffic forecast data for key roadways. Existing and
forecast traffic volumes are shown below. All of these
roads are under the jurisdiction of IDOT. Roads that
are highlighted in yellow in the table refer to roadways
that are planned for roadway widening between today
and 2040 to increase capacity. All remaining roadways
shown in the table are expected to remain at their
current width of 2 or 4 lanes as shown.
With limited data, a planning level analysis of the
major roads was conducted. Level of Service (LOS)
is a measure of roadway performance that assigns a
letter grade of A through F based on peak hour traffic
volumes for a given roadway segment. It is a composite
measure that takes into account average travel speed,
average delay per roadway user, and the roadway’s
design capacity or maximum serviceable traffic volume.
An acceptable LOS for roadway networks is between
LOS A, which signifies free-flow travel without delay
caused by other roadway users and LOS D, which
signifies delays average travel speeds that are roughly
half of posted speed or traffic volumes approaching
design capacity.
SECTION 4 - TRANSPORTATION
AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Infrastructure is a twofold definition. First, it represents multi modal transportation systems which includes automobile
transit and roadway systems, public transportation systems, airports and air travel, railroad (freight and commuter)
systems, and bicycle and pedestrian transit systems. Second, transportation systems can be local, regional, state-wide,
or even national. The purpose of this section is to describe the status of the current and proposed transportation
system and explain how it will impact future growth. Findings that will influence planning recommendations are
included at the end of this section.
LANES CURRENT ADT YEAR 2040 ADT
Illinois 47
South of IL 71 21 8,050 16,000
IL 71 north to Greenbrier Road 4 9,800 19,000
Greenbrier Road north to Schoolhouse Road (IL 126)4 12,300 23,000
Schoolhouse Road (IL 126) north to Fox Street 4 18,300 33,000
Fox Street north to River Road (Bridge)4 22,600 42,000
River Road north to US 34 4 19,500 33,000
US 34 to north Countryside Parkway 4 16,700 31,000
Countryside Parkway north to Cannonball Trail 21 15,100 26,000
Illinois 71
West of IL 47 2 8,450 13,000
IL 47 east to Country Hills Drive 21 9,200 18,000
Country Hills Drive east to Schoolhouse Road (IL 126)21 8,750 17,000
Schoolhouse Road (IL 126) east to Hilltop Road 21 9,050 16,000
Hilltop Road east to Van Emmon/Reservation Road 21 9,350 16,000
Illinois 126 (Schoolhouse Road)
IL 47 east to IL 71 2 6,400 11,000
East of IL 71 2 6,150 11,000
US 34
West of Cannonball Trail 21 16,600 29,000
Cannonball Trail east to IL 47 21 19,300 25,000
IL 47 east to McHugh Road 21 13,300 26,000
McHugh Road east to Bristol Ridge Road 21 13,400 28,000
Bristol Ridge Road east to E. Rickard Road 21 16,000 31,000
E. Rickard Road east to Orchard Road 21 17,000 33,000
Orchard Road east to Clark Ave 2 12,500 18,000
Clark Ave east to W. Washington Street 2 11,900 17,000
Table 4.1: Existing and Forecast Average Daily Traffic (ADT) Volumes
1 These two-lane roadways are planned for widening to four lanes by 2040
Note: Roadways for which there may be capacity constraints in 2040 are highlighted in red.
In the absence of peak hour data, the peak hour can be
estimated as a share of average daily traffic (ADT). For
typical conditions, peak hour traffic can be estimated
at 10 percent of ADT. Using this method, key roadways
in Yorkville were reviewed to identify existing or
proposed year 2040 capacity constraints. Two-lane
roadways with more than 17,000 vehicles per day and
four-lane roadways with more than 36,000 vehicles
per day may pose capacity constraints. However,
other factors, such as driveways and the number of
turning movements, also may have positive or negative
impacts on roadway capacity and would need to be
studied in further detail. Two roadway segments for
which capacity constraints may be an issue in 2040 are
highlighted in red in Table 4.1.
With the proposed roadway widening, Yorkville’s
transportation network is expected to be able to
accommodate traffic forecasts. CMAP and IDOT
update their plans on a regular basis to address
changes in travel patterns and financial conditions.
These plan updates should be monitored to determine
if there are changes in conditions or planned
improvements.
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THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE DRAFT
Figure 4.1 - Existing Roadway and Rail Network
Figure 4.1 - Existing Roadway and Rail Network
Pavement condition is another important factor in
keeping the transportation network in a state of
good repair. The City of Yorkville conducts pavement
condition surveys on local roads on an as-needed basis
to identify transportation project priorities for the
City’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The City’s 2015
budget as approved by City Council stated that the
City’s combined roadway score for roadways within
the jurisdiction of the City of Yorkville is 82 out of a
possible score 100. The figure below shows the share of
roadways in each condition category by total mileage
of roadway.
In order to keep the roadway network in a state of
good repair, the City estimated a need of $2.1 million
annually for roadway improvements. $1 million has
been funded. The City anticipates that the combined
roadway score will drop from 82 to 77 by 2018 with
some exceptions for roadway improvement projects
currently under way.
Graph 4.1: Roadway Conditions
Source: City of Yorkville
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Mi
l
e
s
o
f
R
o
a
d
w
a
y
Roadway Condition Rating
90-100
excellent
19.4
80-89
very good
31
70-79
good
20.2
60-69
fair
7.2
40-59
poor
3.7
10-39
vert poor
0
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THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTUREDRAFT
Figure 4.2 - Existing and Planned Bicycle Improvements
Figure 4.2 - Existing and Planned Bicycle Improvements
BICYCLE NETWORK
Existing and proposed bicycle facilities are shown
in Figure 4.2 – Existing and Proposed Bicycle
Improvements. For the purpose of this plan the bicycle
facilities are referred to as shared use paths or trails.
A trail can be used by a pedestrian or a bicyclist and
generally are a little wider than a sidewalk. Yorkville
has done a very good job of requiring developers
to include trails within residential subdivisions.
The Yorkville Comprehensive Plan and Integrated
Transportation Plan proposed much larger and more
connected bicycle facility network.
The Kendall County Trails and Greenways Plan states
that “while a number of communities have constructed
multi-use trails in Kendall County, the vast majority
of the trail system exists only on plans.” Proposed
trails from the Kendall County Trails and Greenways
Plan were coordinated with the Yorkville Integrated
Transportation Plan and 2008 Yorkville Comprehensive
Plan.
While a concerted effort has been undertaken to plan
the location of trails within Yorkville, the proposed
trail network relied on implementation by developers
as a condition of subdivision approval. Additionally,
trail connections are needed across roadways. On-
street facilities will be needed in order to make these
connections.
Generally, low-volume, two-lane streets with posted
speeds below 30 miles per hour are considered
low-stress roadways that are good candidates for
accommodating bicyclists on-street without much
additional accommodation. If the City wishes to expand
its existing bike network, many of these streets can
be identified, or the City can install signs directing
roadway users to the best streets for bicycling.
However, wider and faster roadways need to be
analyzed in greater detail to identify what types of
facilities would be needed to provide a facility that
is comfortable for bicyclists to use. A bicycle plan is
needed that identifies specific gaps in the network
for bicycling and prepares a capital improvement plan
for bicycle facilities. Much of the cost in improving
bicycling in Yorkville will occur at intersections, which
generally are the highest-stress locations within a
bicycle network.
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THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE DRAFT
PEDESTRIAN NETWORK
Sidewalks, shown in blue in Figure 4.3, are located
along most residential streets within the City. Illinois
Route 47, through downtown Yorkville, also has
sidewalks. As shown in the figure, every subdivision
that has been completed in Yorkville has a sidewalk
network. Gaps exist on major roads including River
Road, Illinois Route 71, and Illinois Route 126. On these
roadways, there are sidewalks in some locations but
gaps in the network limit connectivity. Sidewalks are a
requirement of subdivision approval, and are installed
by developers when subdivisions are built. Some older
subdivisions do not have sidewalks. Developments
within the City of Yorkville where the sidewalk system
has not been fully completed and gaps exist are
outlined in red.
Pedestrian crosswalks in Yorkville generally are not
marked unless they are located on city-owned roads
and there are sidewalks leading to the crossing. An
example of this is on Game Farm Road near City Hall in
the image below.
Figure 4.3 - Existing Sidewalk Network
Figure 4.3 - Existing Sidewalk Network
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THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTUREDRAFT
TRANSIT
Transit service in Yorkville is provided as a paratransit
“dial a ride” style service operated by Kendall Area
Transit (KAT). Its objective is to “implement transit
service in the Kendall County area that is reliable,
flexible, and financially sustainable, while satisfying
the various mobility needs of the general public and
individuals unable to access or operate a private
automobile.” The service requires registration and
serves destinations within Kendall County as well as
select locations outside Kendall County.
The Burlington Northern Santa Fe ( BNSF) Line carries
Metra commuter rail traffic between Aurora and
Chicago. Currently, Metra is conducting a feasibility
study to determine the potential for extending
commuter rail service west of the current terminus
in Aurora, located 12 miles northeast of Yorkville.
Pending the results of the study, the City of Yorkville
has identified a location along the BNSF line that could
serve as a potential station area. The proposed station
area would be located along the BNSF on the western
end of Yorkville between Beecher Road and Faxon
Road.
The Illinois Valley Public Transportation Plan (IVPTP) is
currently underway to explore the physical, operational,
and financial feasibility of commuter rail along the
Illinois Railway (IR) between Aurora and Peru and
the CXS operated railway between Joliet and Peru.
The study concluded that a physical connection
was feasible, but that further study was needed to
determine whether ridership would support the
investment.
Figure 4.4 - Existing Rail Network
NAME STREET SITE SIZE (ACRES)ZONING
N/W Corner Il.47&Bn N/W Corner Il.47&Bn 65.7 Industrial-Light
N/W Corner Il 47&71 N/W Corner Il 47&71 50 Industrial-Light
Corneils Rd.Corneils Rd.15.35 Unknown
Yorkville Business Center - Lot 19 147 Commercial Drive 3.5 Industrial-Light
Yorkville Business Center - Lot 20 169 Commercial Drive 2 Industrial-Light
Yorkville Business Center - Lot 12 198 Commercial Drive 1 Industrial-Light
Yorkville Business Center - Lot 14 -1 Industrial-Light
Yorkville Business Center - Lot 15 132 Commercial Drive 1 Industrial-Light
Yorkville Business Center - Lot 23 225 Commercial Drive 1 Industrial-Light
Yorkville Business Center - Lot 8 254 Commercial Drive 1 Industrial-Light
Yorkville Business Center - Lot 9 232 Commercial Drive 1 Industrial-Light
Table 4.2: Industrial Property Listings
Figure 4.4 - Existing Rail Network
RAIL FREIGHT
The railroad network through Yorkville consists of two
main lines: the BNSF Line that passes through northern
Yorkville, and the Illinois Railway, which is a freight-only
line that travels along the south bank of the Fox River
from Montgomery to Streator, Illinois.
In the Yorkville area, there are three spur lines:
• Commonwealth Edison Spur Line, located near
the intersection of Faxon Road and Beecher
Road provides access to the BNSF Line
• F.E. Wheaton Spur Line, located west of Illinois
47, northwest of the Wrigley Manufacturing
Company provides access to the BNSF Line
• Hydraulic Avenue Spur Line , located along
the Fox River on Hydraulic Avenue, just east of
Illinois 47 provides access to the IR Line
These freight lines add value to property that could
potentially be used as industrial property. Figure 4-4
Rail Line Services shows the approximate location of
these rail spurs.
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic
Opportunity (DCEO) provides developers with
information on industrial properties by municipality. For
each property listed, DCEO provides a transportation
summary that identifies key information such as the
distance to the nearest interstate, airport, and whether
rail service is available. The properties listed are shown
70
SECTION 4 - TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE DRAFT
PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS
Figure 4-5 – Regional Transportation shows the status
of various roadway projects in Yorkville and nearby
region that will impact Yorkville. The project sponsors
include IDOT, Kendall County, Metra, and the Illinois
Tollway. Table 4.3 below provides an overview of each
project. It should be noted that projects often do not
have funds available for the next phase of work since
current efforts are a requirement to enter into the next
phase.
The Prairie Parkway is shown on Figure 4-5, which is a
regional transportation project proposed to connect
Figure 4.5 - Proposed Regional Transportation Improvements
Figure 4.5 - Proposed Regional Transportation Improvements
Interstates 88 to 80 through Kane and Kendall
Counties. While planning for the project is currently
on hold, it remains part of regional and local plans, as
it would significantly impact roadway access in and
around Yorkville.
Figure 4-6 shows proposed new local roads that would
provide connections for future growth. The proposed
local roads were taken from the 2008 Comprehensive
Plan. The issues associated with these proposed
roadways remain the same and there was no reason to
revise or update the proposed roadways.
STATUS STATUS
A.Prairie Parkway Study
(Illinois Tollway)
The Prairie Parkway is a proposed limited-access tollway that would connect I-88 to I-80 through
Kane, Kendall, and Grundy Counties. The project, while shown in the GO TO 2040 regional plan
for the Chicago Metropolitan region, is in the feasibility study phase and is currently on hold.
Feasibility Study
(currently inactive)
B.I-88 / IL 47 Full Interchange
(Illinois Tollway)
The Illinois Tollway is currently in Phase 1 engineering for a full interchange at I-88 and IL 47.
Currently only a partial interchange, the completed project will improve access in all directions.Phase 1 Study
C.U.S. 30 from IL 47
to Dugan Road
IDOT is in Phase 1 to improve U.S. 30 using a Context Sensitive Solutions approach.
The study includes the potential to widen U.S. 30.Phase 1 Study
D.IL 47 from Kennedy Road
to Cross Street
IDOT is in Phase 1 to improve IL 47 using a Context Sensitive Solutions approach.
The study includes the potential increase traffic capacity.Phase 1 Study
E.U.S. 30 from near IL 47
to near IL 31
IDOT is in Phase 1 to improve U.S. 30 using a Context Sensitive Solutions approach.
The study includes the potential increase traffic capacity.Phase 1 Study
F.U.S. 30 from Orchard Road
to Briarcliff Road This section of U.S. 30 currently is under construction by IDOT to widen the roadway to four lanes.Under Construction
G.Proposed Metra Station Metra currently is studying the feasibility of extending Metra commuter rail service west of its current
terminus in Aurora. Kendall County would need to provide funding for construction and operations.Feasibility Study
H.U.S. 34 from near IL 47
to Orchard Road This segment currently is under construction by IDOT to widen the roadway to four lanes.Under Construction
I.U.S. 34 from Eldamain Road
to Center Parkway IDOT currently is in Phase 1 engineering to determine potential traffic capacity improvements.Phase 1 Study
J.IL 47 from IL 71
to Kennedy Road This segment of IL 47 currently is under construction by IDOT to widen the road to four lanes.Under Construction
K.IL 71 from near IL 47
to near Orchard Road IDOT currently is in Phase 1 engineering to determine potential traffic capacity improvements.Phase 1 Study
L.IL 47 from Caton Farm Road
to IL 71 IDOT currently is in Phase 1 engineering to determine potential traffic capacity improvements Phase 1 Study
M.Wikaduke Trail
The four counties of Will, Kane, DuPage, and Kendall have identified a potential corridor for a north-
south roadway linking I-88 and I-80, which seeks to provide a highway connection on the eastern end
of Yorkville. It is currently part of an access study and in each county’s long-term transportation plan,
though parts of it currently are under construction in Kane and Kendall Counties.
Long-Term Plan
(some local
construction)
N.Eldamain Road from
Menards to Galena Road Kendall County currently is in Phase 2 engineering for the construction of an extension of Eldamain Road.Phase 2 Engineering
O.Eldamain Road from
Highpoint Road to U.S. 34
This segment of Eldamain Road currently is under construction by Kendall County but does
not include funding for a bridge across the Fox River.Under Construction
P.IL 47 from Sherril Road
to Caton Farm Road
This segment of IL 47 currently is under construction by IDOT to improve connections from
the south end of the Yorkville Planning Area to the Kendall-Grundy County line.Under Construction
Table 4.3: Regional Transportation Improvements Status
71
SECTION 4 - TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTUREDRAFT
SUMMARY OF TRANSPORTATION OBSERVATIONS
The following are key observations and issues related
to transportation in Yorkville:
• Bicycle and pedestrian facilities are provided
within many subdivisions. However, there
is a need to develop connections between
subdivisions.
• The City’s Integrated Transportation Plan
shows an extensive proposed trail plan. It was
based on developers providing the facilities.
Given the low growth period, the City should
focus on connecting the existing trail network.
• There is a lack of pedestrian and bicycle
connections to major traffic generators such
as schools, parks, commercial areas and
employment locations.
• A commuter station in Yorkville is planned
as part of the proposed Metra commuter
service extension along the BNSF Line. A land
use strategy that focuses on transit oriented
development is needed surrounding the area
where the Metra station is planned.
• Travel throughout Yorkville, for the most part,
is automobile-oriented. That is, an automobile
is needed to reach most destinations outside
of residential subdivision. A much more
conscious decision will need to be made if the
City desires a Complete Streets approach that
would encourage bicycling and walking beyond
residential subdivisions.
• Roadway capacity on bridges is a factor
limiting development south of the Fox
River. However, once Illinois 47 expansion is
complete, it will be some time until this is an
issue again. While traffic on Illinois 47 will
continue to grow, the proposed Eldamain
Road Bridge will provide another reliever to
north south movement. Beyond these two
expansions, it will be some time and a lot of
growth will need to occur before a third bridge
is needed. Given the extensive growth in
traffic that has been forecasted, it would be a
good idea for Yorkville to consider developing
a travel demand model to consider the need
for future roadway improvements. This could
be done in conjunction with Kendall County.
• Illinois 47 currently is undergoing a roadway
expansion project throughout much of
Yorkville. The Illinois 47 and other regional
transportation investments will continue to add
economic development value to the Yorkville
area.
Figure 4.6 - Proposed Roadways by Functional Classification
Figure 4.6 - Proposed Roadways by Functional Classification
72
SECTION 4 - TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE DRAFT
UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE
The purpose of this section is to review the status
of the water supply and sanitary waste systems
and to evaluate how they will affect growth.
Findings are presented that will influence planning
recommendations. The City has other utilities such
as the stormwater system (United City of Yorkville),
electrical (Commonwealth Edison), natural gas (Nicor),
telephone/cable/internet (Comcast). However, it is the
water supply and sanitary waste system that has the
most impact on land use and growth.
WATER SUPPLY
The water supply system is owned by the United City
of Yorkville. Water is obtained through ground wells,
although it should be noted that a regional water
source is being explored by the City as ground water
supplies are being depleted. Future alternatives could
include water from the Fox River or Lake Michigan.
This is long-term study and no final conclusions have
been reached. An analysis of the water supply system
was prepared more than a decade ago and is no longer
current. A copy of the water supply study was not
provided by the City Engineer, as they felt it out of
date and no longer reliable. Therefore, an analysis of
this utility system in relation to future land use and
growth was not possible due to the age of the study
and need to prepare an update of the water supply
plan. The Existing Water Main Network is shown in
Figure 4.7. This figure illustrates one of the essential
infrastructure components that add economic value to
the City of Yorkville. For many developers, the ability to
provide City supplied water is an important reason for
annexing into the City.
Figure 4.7 illustrates two important features in
relation to growth management. First, there is a lot of
undeveloped land on the outskirts of the City that are
not serviced by City water. The City should update its
water supply expansion plan before any extension of
water mains is considered. Second, new development
should be focused on those areas in the main part of
the City that can utilize existing water mains. There are
large parcels of undeveloped land on the outskirts of
the City limits that are not serviced by the municipal
water system.
Figure 4.7 - Existing Water Main Network
SANITARY SYSTEM
Sanitary service infrastructure within the City involves
three different government agencies. Most of the local
sanitary sewers are owned by the City. These city-
owned lines carry sanitary waste from buildings to the
main lines that are owned by the sanitary districts. The
sanitary sewer mainlines and waste water treatment
facilities are owned by two separate government
bodies. The Yorkville–Bristol Sanitary District is
responsible for serving most of the area within the City.
The Fox Metro Water Reclamation District serves a
small area in the northeast corner of the City. These
various lines are shown in Figure 4-8, Existing Sanitary
Network.
Figure 4-8 shows the watershed divide where storm
water flows north to the Fox River or south to the
Illinois River. Generally, sanitary sewer lines operate by
gravity flow, providing sanitary sewer service south of
this divide will be somewhat difficult as lift stations will
be needed to get the flow over the ridge line.
The Yorkville-Bristol Sanitary District (YBSD) primarily
services areas within the United City of Yorkville.
There are two main elements of the system – collection
and treatment. The future collection system has been
addressed by the YBSD in a Future Wastewater
Collection System Map dated August 8, 2007
showing the proposed locations for the extension of
interceptors, force mains and lift stations.
Figure 4.7 - Existing Water Main Network
73
SECTION 4 - TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTUREDRAFT
Figure 4.8 - Existing Sanitary Network
The YBSD wastewater treatment facility is located on
the east side of Blackberry Creek and north of the
Fox River. The facility is near capacity, but with the
slowdown in growth, the need to expand has not been
critical. There are three primary factors that affect
the capacity of facility – flow in terms of gallons of
wastewater and treatment for the removal of biological
oxygen demand and suspended solids. With all three
factors, the facility is at 80 percent capacity. Therefore,
the SD will need to make decisions in the near future
for expansion of the wastewater treatment facility. The
SD had previously acquired the land for the expansion
of the wastewater treatment facility and obtained a
construction permit from the Illinois Environmental
Protection Agency. However, the expansion plans
were halted during the economic slowdown and the
construction permit is no longer valid.
Figure 4.11also shows the existing and potential facility
area planning (FPA) boundaries. Sanitary districts are
required to establish facility planning areas and have
them approved by the Illinois Environmental Protection
Agency (IEPA). A facility planning area is an area in
which the sanitary district is allowed to extend their
service area, as shown in Figure 4.11. The YBSD facility
planning area boundary does not necessarily have to
be coterminous with the City’s planning boundary as
these are separate government agencies subject to
different state statutes. Still, the YBSD system plan
should be prepared in a coordinated manner with the
City’s comprehensive plan. This is elaborated on in the
next section.
The situation with the sanitary sewer system is very
similar to the water system. That is, an updated plan is
needed to provide information on this system will be
affected by future growth. The update of the sanitary
system plan is more critical in that the system is near
capacity. Sometime during slow growth periods it
can be easy to overlook the need to prepare system
expansion plans. However, the treatment system is near
capacity and during a low growth period the water flow
can slowly increase until it reached a critical point for
expansion. Again, like the water system, encouraging
development that can utilize the existing sewer mains
should be preferred over extending main lines in the
outskirts until the sanitary system is updated.
SUMMARY OF UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE FINDINGS
• The water supply system and sanitary waste
system are the two utility systems that have the
most impact of Yorkville growth. The water supply
system is owned by the United City of Yorkville.
The sanitary waste system is primarily operated and
maintained by a separate government agency, the
Yorkville-Bristol Sanitary District.
• An update to the water supply plan is needed.
• The Yorkville-Bristol Sanitary Waste Treatment
Facility is close to capacity. This has not been
an issue with the recent economic slowdown.
However, an expansion plan should be prepared.
• The utility expansion plans should be prepared in
light of revised population, economic and growth
forecasts presented in this Comprehensive Plan.
Figure 4.8 - Existing Sanitary Network
74
SECTION 4 - TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE DRAFT
PLANNING AREAS,
MUNICIPAL BOUNDARIES,
AND GROWTH MANAGEMENT
The purpose of this section is to explain how utility
infrastructure affects the municipal boundaries and
growth patterns of the City. The ability of Yorkville to
grow is very much a function of its capability to provide
water and service. As Yorkville grows and develops it
needs to consider what its future boundaries will be.
This discussion is then used to present findings that
assist in making planning recommendations.
MUNICIPAL PLANNING AREA AND
EXTRATERRITORIAL JURISDICTION
A municipal planning area and extraterritorial
jurisdiction, while sometime referred together, are
not the same thing. A municipality can plan to grow its
boundaries as far as it wants to. However, by Illinois
State Statures, its comprehensive plan and territorial
jurisdiction can only extend for one and one-half miles
beyond its border. If there are other municipalities
within that mile and one-half, then the planning area
is equidistant between the two municipalities. State
regulations allow a municipality to exert some control
over development that falls outside its corporate
limits but within its territorial jurisdiction with the
understanding that these areas may eventually be
annexed by the municipality. The municipality can
influence the land use and impose its standards on
roadways and infrastructure.
The City of Yorkville has done a very good job of
establishing boundary agreements with its neighboring
municipalities that are used to define the planning
area. These boundary agreements allow for thought
out growth and clear demarcation of future city limits.
It prevents the interlocked boundary lines that can
occur when municipalities do not work together. The
status of the boundary agreements is shown in Figure
4.9. Some of the boundary agreements will expire in
the next decade and will need to be updated. The
Village of Millbrook is now close to the United City of
Yorkville borders and a boundary agreement should be
considered.
The 2008 Comprehensive Plan shows a planning
boundary area to the south that is much greater
than one and a half miles. While Yorkville can plan to
grow into this area, its territorial jurisdiction can only
extend a mile and a half beyond its municipal limit.
Figure 4.9 shows that the City of Joliet has extended
its municipal boundary into Yorkville Planning Area,
as designated on the 2008 Comprehensive Plan.
However, Joliet remains more than a mile and a half
from the current Yorkville city limits. The City should
consider developing a boundary agreement with the
City of Joliet.
MUNICIPAL BOUNDARIES AND GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Due to the growth that occurred in the 2000s, the City
witnessed leap frog development that has resulted in
scattered municipal boundaries. Another way of looking
at this is to say that the City boundaries grew out along
the tentacles of the utility systems. In some areas on
the outskirts of the City the municipal boundaries are
beyond the current reach of the utility system.
With the growth slowdown, it would be better to focus
on infill development. That is, promote development
that could use existing water and sanitary systems
rather than extending the system. This sort of policy
would promote economies of scale for providing
municipal services. Contiguous municipal boundaries
without unincorporated voids are easier to service. For
example, a police car has to travel from incorporated to
unincorporated and then to incorporated boundaries.
This same principal applies to roadway maintenance
and utility service (water and sanitary). This adds
expense to the provision of infrastructure and services.
Figure 4.9 - Boundary Agreements
Figure 4.9 - Boundary Agreements
75
SECTION 4 - TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTUREDRAFT
The City should exert greater control over
development in unincorporated areas that are within
the planning area. Figure 4.10 illustrates the large
numbers of subdivisions that are outside of the
Yorkville municipal limits, but within the Yorkville
Planning Area Boundary. All of these developments
are in essence part of the community even if they are
not within the municipal limits. Some of these residents
may even use municipal roads and other facilities such
as parks. Annexation of existing developed area can
be difficult as it requires the approval of the residents.
However, with future development, the United City of
Yorkville could work more closely with Kendall County
to require new development to be annexed into the
City or at least built to City standards.
Figure 4.10 also illustrates areas that are surrounded
by Yorkville municipal limits. Under Illinois Statutes, a
municipality can annex areas that are less than 60 acres
and surrounded by the City.
Figure 4.11 shows the Yorkville City and Planning Area
Boundaries including those of the YBSD. The lack of
congruency in boundaries is most visible in the area
south of Fox River. When the water supply plan and
sanitary district plan are updated, they should be in a
coordinated fashion that takes into account realistic
growth projections for the next ten to twenty years.
Figure 4.10 - Existing Development
Figure 4.10 - Existing Development
76
SECTION 4 - TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE DRAFT
SUMMARY OF MUNICIPAL BOUNDARIES AND GROWTH
MANAGEMENT ISSUES
• The City has established boundary agreements
with most neighboring municipalities. This is
a very good practice that allows for orderly
growth and clear demarcation of municipal
limits. Some of these boundary agreements will
need to be updated in the next decade.
• Boundary agreement with Millbrook and Joliet
should be considered.
• To the south there are no municipalities within
one and a half miles. The planning area at this
location should remain at the full one and half
miles currently shown. In some places the
planning area can extend beyond the current
designation.
• Some of the City’s planning area extends
beyond one and a half miles. This is okay,
but its comprehensive plan and territorial
jurisdiction can only extend one and a half
miles.
• Given current slow growth patterns, it is not
likely that the City will grow to the south in the
near future. This growth may be slowed by the
Fox River/Illinois River watersheds ridge line.
• The City should consider a policy that focuses
on encouraging development that utilizes
existing sanitary and water main lines before
extending these lines until such time when
growth accelerates. This policy would decrease
incremental or per capita costs associated with
water and sanitary service. Encouraging infill
development also can help to reduce other
municipal operating costs on a per capita basis.
• The City should consider annexing areas that
are surrounded by the City and are fewer than
60 acres.
• The water supply system and sanitary system
plans need to be updated. The updates should
be done in a collaborative manner and use a
realistic evaluation of growth potential for the
next ten to twenty years.
• The City should exert more control over
development that is outside its borders and
within the planning area. This could involve
working with Kendall County to require the
developments to annex into the City or, at a
minimum, require the developments to be built
to City standards.
Figure 4.11 - Planning Areas
Figure 4.11 - Planning Areas
77THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE
SECTION 5 - PUBLIC INPUT SUMMARY
DRAFT
SECTION 5 - PUBLIC INPUT SUMMARY
A fundamental component of any successful comprehensive planning process is community engagement. Employing
a multi-layered public process enables the identification and establishment of shared priorities and civic character. It
is important that this process achieve both a range of community involvement, and garner a deep understanding of
the questions and concerns that arise. Beyond information gathering, a robust, multi phased public process also plays
an important role in ensuring a smooth transition into implementation. To achieve these goals, the public process for
Phase 1 of the Yorkville Comprehensive Plan Update utilized the following structures for engaging the community:
STAKEHOLDER LISTENING SESSIONS
Between October 2014 and March 2015, a series of
interview and listening sessions were conducted with
various Yorkville stakeholder groups, including City
of Yorkville department heads, such as Public Works,
Parks and Recreation, the Library, and others; local
corporations and business owners; developers; civic
groups; the local school district; Kendall County;
the Yorkville Bristol Sanitary District; the Kendall
County Forest Preserve; the Illinois Department of
Transportation other governmental agencies and
Yorkville residents. The following is a summary of key
planning issues garnered from the listening sessions.
INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS
The City has undertaken very effective capital
improvements programming and the programs are
continually being reviewed. This program is being
used to address a few subdivisions with outstanding
infrastructure issues. It should also address resurfacing
of downtown streets. A comprehensive street
evaluation has also been undertaken to help shape the
five-year capital improvements plan.
In terms of sanitary system issues, there has been some
infiltration issues in the central area. The City has been
working with the Yorkville-Bristol Sanitary District to
address some of these concerns.
The last Water Plan was completed more than 5 years
ago and should be updated with a comprehensive
evaluation. Water planning efforts should be a priority
because according to the Illinois State Water Survey,
Kendall County may be facing a water shortage in the
coming years since there has been a decline in the
County’s aquifer.
OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION
The Parks and Recreation Department has several
needs, including a recreational facility, a maintenance
building and a new park on the City’s south side that
could be in the range of 50, 60, or 100 acres. Some
planning has taken place for the recreational facility,
which most likely would be a facility with indoor fields
and equipment. A Parks Master Plan was prepared in
2008 that identified 11 specific park planning areas;
the Plan needs to be updated given that the City is
updating it’s comprehensive plan. The department is
also in the process of conducting a community survey.
Partnerships with the service clubs can be used to fund-
raise and off-set capital and long–term maintenance
costs, such as the agreement for maintenance services
at Heartland Circle with the Junior Women’s Club.
In 2010, a Transportation-Trail Plan was prepared;
however the plan needs to be updated. About 500
trails are proposed. The City maintains easements
over trails in private subdivisions but there is a need
to connect these trails together. Other bike trail
connections are planned and will occur along Game
Farm Road, Kennedy Road and State Routes 34 and 71.
There are many private parks in Yorkville, which causes
confusion among residents regarding which parks are
owned by the City and which are not.
There have been some discussions about looking
into becoming a park district but there seems to be a
“silent majority” that has yet to speak out on the need
for maintaining and enhancing the community’s park
system. There are also some benefits to being a City
Department, especially in regards to the sharing of
equipment between other departments.
INSTITUTIONS
Yorkville CUSD 115 district is currently undertaking a
substantial review of its school structure and shifting
and realignment of its school boundaries. Currently,
schools are organized around micro-neighborhoods.
Overall there is potential to change which schools
serve which neighborhoods or subdivisions.
If all the undeveloped lots were developed in Yorkville
today and there are two kids per household, the school
population could double to 9,000 students from 5,300
currently.
The District is about to complete a $22 million addition
to the High School that will add 90,000 square feet of
new and remodeled space. However, the High School
may need to be expanded again if there is additional
population growth. After the High School expansion is
complete, the District will be looking at facility needs
for the Grade Schools. Both Autumn Creek and Bristol
Bay have started to grow and may need more space.
DOWNTOWN YORKVILLE
Downtown Yorkville should be a key focus of
comprehensive planning efforts, including exploring
revitalization and redevelopment scenarios, particularly
along the riverfront. An important first step should
be to define the downtown area and determine which
areas should be the focus of beautification standards or
design guidelines. With brownfield and environmental
issues, increasing traffic speeds on Illinois Route 47 and
a lack of available parking as barriers to redevelopment,
a sustainable development strategy based on market
realities should be the goal. In addition to this,
recommendations for how Yorkville can do a better
job of packaging and promoting itself – downtown in
particular, should be explored.
LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT
Planning and growth efforts should focus on areas
that have already been developed and invested
in — in particular residential and commercial areas
along and near downtown and at the Route 47 and 34
intersections. These areas have existing infrastructure
that could be built on.
The Fox River is viewed as a barrier in the community,
creating a perception that the southern part of
Yorkville is isolated. Development of a grocery store
and new restaurants would help bring a stronger
identity to the south side. The Route 47 and 71
intersection is an important commercial node where
this development could be focused.
The City’s subdivision and landscape codes need to
be updated in order to provide more sustainable and
appealing developments. This is particularly true for
areas along Route 47 and Eldamain Road, two corridors
that should be a priority for maintaining a unique
community character. There has been some emphasis in
the community on maintaining as much open space as
possible in new developments
There is not a lot of variety in housing choices in
Yorkville. More dense housing with smaller lots or
condominiums should be explored.
A new Metra station could spur new development in
Yorkville and a long term vision for this facility and its
areas should be created.
URBAN DESIGN
Yorkville needs some placemaking – banners,
wayfinding and signage could help to define the
community a bit more. The Plan also needs to look
at the corridors and consider gateway entrances,
especially to define Yorkville better between itself and
other communities. Community appearances should
also be a key planning priority. Yorkville has a different
“feel” than neighboring Fox Valley communities – it’s
more “homier” and “small townish” than Oswego.
Yorkville should strive to keep that feel.
78 THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE
SECTION 5 - PUBLIC INPUT SUMMARY
DRAFT
COMMUNITY “SPEAK-OUT”
WORKSHOP #1 (APRIL 16TH, 2015)
On the 16th of April 2015, a community workshop was
held at the United City of Yorkville City Hall. Roughly
30 community members were in attendance. This first
community workshop introduced the project team and
planning process to the community, while providing an
open forum to gather first hand thoughts and opinions
about the United City of Yorkville. The workshop was
comprised of various stations in which participants
could provide their thoughts on certain topics,
including:
STATION 1: PROJECT INTRODUCTION
Participants were given the opportunity to “sign-in”
to the workshop and were given a project information
handout. A project information board was also on
display presenting the goals and phases of the project
as well as an overall project timeline. A Study Area Map
was displayed and participants were asked to place
a yellow sticker where they lived and a blue sticker
where they work. Fifteen participants live within the
study area (eight north of and seven south of the Fox
River). Two participants work within the study area
(one north of and the other south of the Fox River) and
four participants identified that they work outside of
the study area boundary. Additionally community facts
boards were displayed to share demographic, housing,
and construction information about the City.
STATION 2: TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
The transportation and infrastructure station focused
on the following issues:
• Proposed Roadway Network
• Bicycle Network
• Development outside City Boundaries but
within Planning Area
A majority of the discussion centered around the cost
to the City for serving unincorporated areas without
receiving property or sales tax revenue in return. Many
workshop attendees felt that this issue was worth
addressing. Additionally, there was general consensus
that the City should support or encourage infill
development before promoting development in new
areas. Regarding commercial development, workshop
attendees expressed concern that more retail
opportunities are needed in Yorkville that would help
keep more tax revenue in the City rather than letting it
leak to the nearby municipalities of Aurora or Oswego.
Some residents expressed concern about where
future bridges would be located despite being part
of the City’s transportation plan. It appeared to have
been based on communication between homeowners
and developers, and did not involve the City. These
residents expressed concern over the placement of
one of the bridges and the impact it would have on a
particular subdivision.
As part of station 2, a short survey was distributed that
requested attendees’ preferences for how to work with
unincorporated subdivision development, connect trails
and open space, and manage the extension of storm
and sanitary utility infrastructure to support and guide
future development within Yorkville.
79THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE
SECTION 5 - PUBLIC INPUT SUMMARY
DRAFT
Figure 2.7 - Overall Public Input Map (North Yorkville)
ACTIVE
RECREATION
(recreation center,
dog park,
sports fields)PASSIVE
RECREATION
(wildlife habitat)
PASSIVE
RECREATION
(hiking trails)
INDUSTRIAL
(warehouse, manufacturing
*
SENIOR
HOUSING
CIVIC
USES
BIKE T
R
A
I
L
GREENSPACE
WITH CIVIC USES
SINGLE-
FAMILY
WITH
PARKS
MIXED-USE,
RETAIL,
MULTIFAMILY
COMMERCIAL
WITH CIVIC
USES
MEDICAL
WITH
CIVIC USES
COMMERCIAL
WITH SENIOR
HOUSING AND
GREENSPACE
ROADWAY
IMPROVEMENTSGREENSPACE
WITH CIVIC USES
STATION 3: ROUTE 47 FOCUS AREA
Station 3 focused on the Route 47 corridor. Participants
were asked to view land use maps of the corridor and
to place icon stickers of elements and land uses where
they would like to see them developed.
STATION 4: ELDAMAIN FOCUS AREA
Station 4 focused on the Eldamain Road corridor.
Participants were asked to view land use maps of the
corridor and to place icon stickers of elements and land
uses where they would like to see them developed.
STATION 5: DOWNTOWN FOCUS AREA
Station 5 focused on the downtown area. Participants
were asked to view an aerial photograph of downtown
and to place icon stickers of elements and land uses
where they would like to see them developed.
STATION 6: OVERALL CITY MAP
Station 6 provided an opportunity for participants
to share their ideas about what they’d like to see
anywhere in Yorkville. A large city-wide, overall land
use map was provided for participants to place icon
stickers onto. The input received from workshop
participants has been summarized into general land use
diagrams (Figures 2.7 and 2.8) described below:
EASTERN
GATEWAY
Figure 2.7 - Overall Public Input Map (North Yorkville)
80 THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE
SECTION 5 - PUBLIC INPUT SUMMARY
DRAFT
ONLINE SURVEY
The following section summarizes the results of an
online survey conducted between January and March
of 2015. 152 people participated in the survey. The
planning team anticipates re-introducing the survey at
another point in time during the planning process in
order to gain additional community feedback. These
initial results will be used to assess existing conditions
and planning issues.
SUMMARY OF DEMOGRAPHIC RESPONSES
A series of nine questions were presented regarding
respondent demographic characteristics, such as
age and gender, household information, education
and occupation, and place of employment. Of the
respondents who took the survey, 66 percent were
female, 34 percent male with the majority (79 percent)
between the ages of 25 and 44 years old. In terms of
household information and other similar characteristics,
more than 67 percent of the respondents have one to
three children living in the home and about an even
number having lived in the home between one and
five years (43 percent) and between six and ten years
(42 percent). Most respondents work within 25 miles
of Yorkville and more than 50 percent had an annual
income of $100,000 or more.
SUMMARY OF COMMUNITY QUALITY RESPONSES
Ten questions were presented regarding respondent
opinions on Yorkville municipal and community
services, ranging from police and fire, schools, parks
and infrastructure. Responses were measured
according to a scale of 1 to 10 with “1” meaning “Very
Dissatisfied” and “10” meaning “Very Satisfied.” Fire
and police, and emergency and general health care
services generally ranked high among all community
services by survey respondents with an average rating
of 7.9. The condition of streets and sidewalks and the
quality of utility and recreational programs were the
lower-ranked community services with an average
rating of 5.3. Local schools received an average rating
of 5.98.
SUMMARY OF HOUSING RESPONSES
Three survey questions were included regarding
housing. More than 93 percent of survey respondents
reporting owning their home while 7 percent rent.
The approximate monthly payment for those who
rent is an average of $850. When asked what type of
housing is most needed in Yorkville, 54 percent of the
survey respondents believed “higher-income housing”
is desirable while 46 percent stated that “affordable
housing” is a specific need in Yorkville.
SUMMARY OF BUSINESS RESPONSES
A series of five questions were asked in the
survey regarding community growth and
economic development. More than 83 percent
of the respondents believe that restaurants and
entertainment-related businesses are most needed
in Yorkville, especially if they were located in the
downtown district. In terms of tourism potential in
Yorkville, on a scale of 1 to 5 with “1” being a low priority
and “5” being a high priority, Fox River recreational
tourism, including canoeing and kayaking activities,
received the highest rated average at 4.11. Horseback
riding and heritage tourism received the lowest rating
averages at 2.50. Developing new events and festivals,
revitalizing downtown, and allowing bed and breakfasts
and more campgrounds in Yorkville were also listed
as important future community initiatives. In addition,
more than 46 percent of respondents said they would
like to see Yorkville’s population increase.
SUMMARY OF OVERALL COMMUNITY RESPONSES
The last three questions in the community survey
focused on general planning issues and Yorkville
livability. According to survey respondents, the top
planning issues include downtown revitalization,
unfinished and deteriorated roads, incomplete
subdivisions and the lack of a pedestrian and bicycle
network. Respondents also stated that Yorkville’s
affordability, good schools and small town feel were the
principal reasons why they live in Yorkville.
Figure 2.8 - Overall Public Input Map (South Yorkville)
SINGLE-FAMILY
HOUSING
SINGLE-FAMILY
HOUSING WITH
GREENSPACE
RESIDENTIAL
ACTIVE
RECREATION
RETAIL
GROCERY
STORE
GROCERY/
OFFICE
PARK
SPACE
MEDICAL/
RECREATION CENTER
B
I
K
E
T
R
A
I
L
BIKE TRAIL
DOWNTOWN
MIXED-USE
*SOUTHERN GATEWAY
Figure 2.8 - Overall Public Input Map (South Yorkville)
SECTION 6 - SUMMARY OF PLANNING ISSUES
81THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTUREDRAFT
SECTION 6 - SUMMARY OF PLANNING ISSUES
The following findings are policy issues that should be addressed through the comprehensive planning process. They
are based on a review of the City’s municipal boundary, planning area boundary, the Yorkville-Bristol Sanitary District
Facility Planning Area (FPA), existing land use, zoning, and public input.
ISSUE #1: UNINCORPORATED AREAS
Subdivisions within close proximity to Yorkville have
been built in unincorporated Kendall County without
input or approval from the City. As Yorkville grows,
these areas may be annexed into Yorkville in the future.
While the City does not have land use jurisdiction
in unincorporated areas, they do have influence on
development that occurs within their planning area
boundary. Additionally, unincorporated areas that
are less than 60 acres in size and are completed
surrounded by the City are eligible to be incorporated
under State of Illinois law. Yorkville could better control
its future by annexing these areas. A cost-revenue
analysis could be performed to determine the financial
benefit of annexation These areas could also be
better served by the services that the City of Yorkville
provides.
Policy Questions:
Should Yorkville work with Kendall County to
have areas annex into the City as a condition of
development approvals?
Should areas of less than 60 acres that are surrounded
by Yorkville be incorporated into the City?
Should Yorkville work with property owners of
unincorporated areas within close proximity to pursue
annexation of these areas?
ISSUE #2: FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
The United City of Yorkville has grown in a scattered,
leap frog manner. This type of development sometimes
can occur when economic activity is strong and growth
is occurring. However, when the economy stalls and
growth is no longer occurring, it can result in inefficient
provision of city services. Extension of water main,
storm and sanitary sewer into undeveloped areas costs
the City more in operations and maintenance than it
does to develop in areas where water and sewer mains
already exist. There is also a ridge line that travels in an
east-west fashion along Illinois Route 71. The area north
of this ridge City drains to the Fox River while the area
to the south drains to Illinois River. This divide makes it
more costly to extend municipal utilities to the south of
the divide.
Policy Questions:
Should the City promote an infill policy to encourage
new development to tap into existing utility lines
before extending existing lines until such time
that development within the City becomes more
prevalent?
Should the City prohibit or restrict development
south of the ridge line along Illinois Route 71 until
development becomes more prevalent throughout the
City?
ISSUE #3: TRANSPORTATION NETWORK
Gaps currently exist in the bicycle transportation
network. The Integrated Transportation Plan relies
upon developers to complete the trail network and
given the lack of development activity many proposed
trails have not been completed and the system
remains unconnected. While many new subdivisions
have good conditions for walking and bicycling within
the subdivision itself, it is difficult to travel between
subdivisions especially when they are separated by
County or State Highways with little to no bicycle or
pedestrian accommodations. Additionally, the City
has not adopted a policy of promoting on-street
bicycle facilities. Future roadway connections within
the planning area boundary of Yorkville present an
opportunity to set aside space to accommodate bicycle,
pedestrian, and automobile pathways.
Policy Questions:
Which bicycle connections or routes are priorities?
Are on-street connections acceptable if they can be
safely designed?
Should the City have a complete streets policy to
ensure that adequate space is preserved for collector
and arterial roadways to accommodate automobiles,
bicycles, and pedestrians?
ISSUE #4: ACTIVE RESIDENTIAL
SUBDIVISION DEVELOPMENTS
Eight residential subdivision developments are
currently being developed in Yorkville, representing
1,366 entitled homes. With approximately 74 building
permits being issued a year, the 515 homes not yet built
represent a supply of entitled homes that will take eight
years to complete.
Policy Questions:
Should the City take an active role in completing
unfinished residential subdivision developments?
Which unfinished residential subdivision
developments should be a priority?
Are there any entitled subdivisions that the City
should work to remove entitlements from?
SECTION 6 - SUMMARY OF PLANNING ISSUES
82 THE YORKVILLE PLAN • CONNECTING OUR PAST TO THE FUTURE DRAFT
ISSUE #5: RETAIL SALES /
COMMERCIAL AREAS
In most retail sales categories, local demand in
Yorkville is being lost to stores outside the City. This
is particularly true for the grocery store, general
merchandise, and full service restaurant categories.
Policy Questions:
Where should new retail development be focused?
ISSUE #6: DOWNTOWN
Both survey respondents and open house participants
expressed that one of the reasons they like living
in Yorkville is because of the City’s small town feel.
At the same time, the lack of a vibrant downtown
was identified as one of the top three issues facing
Yorkville today. Developing downtown was also an idea
consistently shared when related to tourism ideas and
opportunities.
Policy Questions:
Should building heights be limited in the downtown,
and if so what would be the appropriate height?
Should the City take an active role in cleaning up the
“brownfield” site located east of Route 47 downtown?
Should the City take an active role in addressing the
concern for a lack of parking downtown?
Would you consider a parking deck as a reasonable
solution to the concern for a lack of parking, or should
parking in the downtown be limited to surface lots?
ISSUE #7: DESIGN CHARACTER
Both survey respondents and open house participants
expressed that one of the reasons they like living in
Yorkville is because the City provides rural living with
suburban features. Before future development occurs,
the City may have the opportunity to guide the style
and character of future development. Design guidelines
could ensure that a rural character is preserved
throughout Yorkville, or along specific corridors. Land
use policy could also preserve scenic vistas of natural
features or agricultural landscapes.
Policy Questions:
Should the City take an active role in preserving a
rural character? If so, which areas of the City should
be a priority?
Should new developments be required to preserve
natural features or agricultural areas?
ISSUE #8: HOUSING
Housing data shows that nearly 60% of homes in
Yorkville were built between 2000 and 2009. A large
percentage of home in Yorkville also fall within the
$200,000 to $299,000 price range. An oversupply of
homes at the same age and under the same price range
could limit Yorkville’s ability to adapt to a changing
economy, changing demographics, and an aging
population.
Policy Questions:
Should the City allow residential development at
a higher density than that which typically exists
throughout Yorkville today? If so, which areas of the
City should higher density residential be allowed?
Should higher density be allowed for developments
which preserve natural features or agricultural areas?
ISSUE #9: INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS
The existing sanitary system is nearing its capacity.
At some point, as population continues to grow,
the system will need to be expanded. Collaboration
with the Yorkville-Bristol Sanitary District facility
planning area (FPA) should be ongoing so there is a
clear understanding of the remaining capacity and
need to expand as the City makes land use decisions.
Additionally, the water treatment plan is nearly 10 years
old and an up to date comprehensive evaluation of the
water treatment system should be used to guide land
use and policy decisions.
Policy Questions:
Should the City undertake studies to determine
future needs, costs, and revenues associated with
infrastructure system expansion?
Should the City promote new development that can
tap into existing main sanitary and water lines before
the main lines are extended?
ISSUE #10: PARKS AND OPEN SPACE
When asked about their level of satisfaction with the
quality of parks, recreational facilities, and programs,
survey respondents expressed that they were neutral
to somewhat satisfied. Additionally, when asked about
what other community facilities and services are
needed in Yorkville, the top responses were indoor
activities (sports, recreation center, youth programs,
or children’s museum), dog parks, and walking/hiking
trails. Fox River recreation (canoeing, kayaking, etc.)
and walking/cycling trails were also the top two
responses when asked to prioritize items to be pursued
in developing a tourism industry in Yorkville.
Policy Questions:
Should the City invest more resources into parks and
open space development?
Should the City consider establishing a Parks District
as opposed to a Parks Department?
ISSUE #11: SCHOOLS
If all the undeveloped lots in Yorkville were developed
today, and there were two kids per household, the
school population could double to 9,000 students
from 5,300 currently. This would require expansion
of existing schools or construction of new schools,
potentially even a second High School.
Policy Questions:
Should the City use remaining capacity and expansion
thresholds of school facilities to guide land use and
policy decisions?
ISSUE #12: LAND USE REGULATIONS
Current zoning designations are reflective of a strong
growth and development climate. A number of
zoning districts appear to have been designated with
specific development plans anticipated, which are no
longer planned. Zoning districts should be reviewed
and revised to better reflect current construction
and development levels in order to more effectively
guide development in the most appropriate locations.
Additionally, the City’s existing subdivisions regulations
should be reviewed and revised to reflect current
housing and development trends.
Policy Questions:
Should the City revise its existing zoning map, and if
so, which areas should be revised?
Should the City revise its existing subdivision
regulations?