Naperville to do study reevaluating I-88 corridor development goals
Naperville City Council has decided to proceed with a study of the Interstate 88 corridor to reevaluate and update land use and zoning, citing concerns about outdated regulations. The decision was partly influenced by past proposals, such as the rejected Karis Critical data center, which highlighted inadequacies in current zoning and the Land Use Master Plan. The study aims to ensure the corridor remains attractive for businesses rather than becoming primarily residential.
The Naperville City Council has approved a $150,000 study to reevaluate the Interstate 88 corridor's development goals, focusing on updating land use and zoning regulations. City Manager Doug Krieger explained that current zoning is "dated," leading to challenges with recent development proposals.
The decision to prioritize the I-88 corridor study over a separate analysis of the Fifth Avenue Metra station area was made after staff recommendations. Councilwoman Mary Gibson highlighted the rejected Karis Critical data center as a prime example of the issues caused by outdated zoning, noting that despite the property being zoned for data center use, community and council concerns over the Land Use Master Plan and proximity to residential areas led to its rejection. Mayor Scott Wehrli emphasized the importance of maintaining the I-88 corridor as a business-friendly area.
While some council members, like Ashfaq Syed and Josh McBroom, expressed a preference for the Fifth Avenue study to address affordable housing needs, city staff advised against it due to uncertainties surrounding proposed state legislation, including the "Building Up Illinois Developments (BUILD) Act" and the "People Over Parking Act," which could significantly alter local zoning laws and development near public transportation hubs. Residents also voiced frustration over the lack of progress on the Fifth Avenue site.