Below is a brief outline of the history of planning for South Elgin's Village Center. The heading text offers the name of the plan that was implemented, along with the date of adoption. The listed text that follows the heading identifies the key concepts that were addressed in each plan. You can also veiw/download the exhibits of the "Village Center Master Plan History" (580KB) and/or "Revitalizing the Village Center" (1.1MB).
Planning South Elgin's Village Center
Planning South Elgin's Village Center
- 1968: Original Comprehensive Plan
- Continuation of old Elgin-Aurora Electric Railway for tourism
- Introduction of retail and restaurants stores on pedestrian friendly streets
- Enhancement of streetscape
- High density multiple family
- Marina Concept
- Municipal swimming beach at old quarry
- Improve area streets
- Create business association
- Provide “seed money to influence private investment”
- 1991: Comprehensive Plan Update
- Sense of Place/Lifestyle Concept
- Unique shopping, dinning/entertainment, arts and crafts, sports and leisure and residential opportunities
- Pedestrian oriented environment
- Connect to and enhance the riverfront park as the community focal point
- Civic Center – retain and expand municipal services
- Encourage redevelopment of obsolete uses – mixed uses
- Create a Unified Design Plan and way-finding
- Prepare a strategic redevelopment plan
- Acquisition of flood-prone properties for expansion of riverfront park
- 2002: Comprehensive Plan Update
- Village Center Plan – first document that crafted a more specific, comprehensive plan for the Village Center
- Framework Plan – organizational plan with phasing priorities for redevelopment areas
- Land Use Plan – introduction of multiple family and mixed use concepts with heights between 3-5 stories
- Greater emphasis on creating an attractive pedestrian experience
- Expansion of Riverfront park and bike trail
- Development Concepts (PODs): Specific build-out scenarios based on limited engineering information, and general assumptions for uses and parking needs
- Design and Development Guidelines (general vision concepts)
- Implementation
- Redevelopment Assistance
- Design Guideline Manual
- Update Zoning Ordinance
- 2002: Village Center & LaFox Street Corridor TIF Plan
- Incorporate goals and recommendations of 2002 Comprehensive Plan Update
- Over 40 million in new taxes balanced with a potential equal expenditure
- Projected equalized assessed value (EAV) – over $140 million (approx. 1,800% increase)
- 2003: Architectural and Streetscape Guidelines
- Specific design standards and guidelines that build on the general guidelines established in the 2002 Comprehensive Plan
- Complements building and zoning codes
- Defines guidelines on three zones based on the Village’s historic settlement pattern
- Implementation of the Tucker Project & Gateway entry plaza
- 2005: Zoning and Sign Ordinance Recommendations
- Proposal to create two separate types of zoning controls: 1)Planned Development District for Village Center & 2)LaFox Corridor Overlay District
- Sign Standards
- Monument signs – mandatory
- Site Plan Review – strengthening, clarifying and establishing consistency
- 2007: North LaFox Corridor Tax Increment Financing District
- Expand TIF financing to older commercial, industrial, and vacant properties north of the Downtown
- Plan Adoption - June 2007
- 2007: Village Center Master Plan
- Update previous Village Center Plan
- Incorporate civil and traffic engineering, market analysis and development feasibility
- Riverfront specific plan
- Redevelopment and phasing scheme
- Public information/participation – dedicated project web-site, Riverfest display, and extensive » committee and public meetings
- 3-D computer model of redevelopment concept
- Strategic Action Plan
