PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Conduct the public hearing for 2603 Aurora Av Suite 107 (Escapology) -DEV-0090-2025
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Therese Egner, Assistant Planner
ENTITLEMENTS REQUESTED:
1. A conditional use pursuant to Municipal Code Section 6-7B-3 (B2 Community Shopping Center District/Conditional Uses) for an amusement use.
2. A parking variance from Municipal Code Section 6-9-3.7 to reduce the required on-site parking from 63 spaces to 28 spaces for the subject property.
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
Official notice for the public hearing for DEV-0090-2025 was published in the Naperville Sun on Sunday, August 3, 2025.
BACKGROUND:
The subject property is zoned B2 (Community Shopping Center District) and is located at 2603 Aurora Av, Suite 107, East of Route 59. It is developed within a single-story commercial building that is part of the larger Westridge Court Shopping Center. The petitioner, Samuel Stockton, Escapology, is seeking to utilize an approximately 6,284 square foot tenant space as an escape room, which is regulated as an amusement establishment in the City’s zoning ordinance.
DISCUSSION:
Conditional use
The petitioner is requesting a conditional use for an amusement establishment known as Escapology pursuant to Section 6-7B-3 (B2 Community Shopping Center District /Conditional Uses) of the Municipal Code. Escapology plans to locate within the Westridge Court Shopping Center, adjacent to Block 59, a mixed-use, dining and entertainment destination currently developing in the City. The proposed escape room is anticipated to support nearby shopping and dining establishments by creating a nearby entertainment destination for patrons.
Escapology currently operates in numerous locations globally with two locations in the Chicago suburbs. The proposed Naperville location will feature 12 escape rooms, but the petitioner has indicated that only 8 rooms will be in use simultaneously for optimal staffing and guest experience. The development petition indicates that the Escapology escape room franchise is a quiet, clean, and professionally operated entertainment venue that will enhance the area without disrupting the surrounding properties as the business operates entirely indoors and does not generate outdoor noise or lighting that could affect neighbors or adjacent businesses. Furthermore, the venue operates by appointment, which prevents large gatherings and minimizes traffic impacts. The proposed use is not anticipated to negatively impact or impede the other businesses in the shopping center.
The City’s Land Use Master Plan identifies the future place type for the subject property as Urban Center. Staff finds the proposed use to be compatible with this designation as entertainment uses are identified as a primary use in this place type. Staff is supportive of the conditional use request and finds it will complement the surrounding retail and dining establishments.
Parking Variance
The petitioner is also requesting approval of a parking variance from Municipal Code Section 6-9-3.7 (Schedule of Off-Street Parking Requirements) to allow for the reduction of off-street parking requirements. Amusement establishments require 10 parking spaces per 1000 square feet per Section 6-9-3.7 of the Municipal Code, which would require Escapology’s 6,284 sq. ft. tenant space to have 63 parking spaces. The space the petitioner is seeking to occupy has parking available at a ratio of 4.5 spaces per 1000 sq. ft. gross floor area. 28 parking spaces have been reserved for the proposed tenant space in the Westridge Court Shopping Center, resulting in a deficit of 35 parking spaces.
To support the requested variance, the petitioner has submitted parking information that provides parking counts from comparable locations during peak times. Based on franchise data from over 90 international locations, a 12-room site operating at peak capacity requires only 17 parking spaces. Peak hours are limited to Friday and Saturday evenings (5-10 PM) and Sunday afternoons (12-7 PM), minimizing the need for continuous high-volume parking. The appointment-only model ensures staggered guest arrivals and departures, further reducing traffic and parking congestion. This information signifies 28 parking spaces is sufficient for the proposed amusement use. Based on the projected parking demand outlined in the parking information, staff believes the requested parking variance is appropriate and are supportive of the request.
Findings of Fact
The petitioner’s responses to the Standards for Granting a Conditional Use and responses to the Standards for Variances can be found in the attachments. Staff concurs with the petitioner’s findings and recommends their approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Key Takeaways
• The petitioner requests conditional use approval pursuant to Section 6-7B-3 (B2 Community Shopping Center District/ Conditional Uses) of the Naperville Municipal Code to operate an amusement establishment. Staff supports the requested conditional use approval.
• The petitioner requests a parking variance from Municipal Code Section 6-9-3.7 to reduce the required parking on the subject property from 63 spaces to 28 spaces. Based on the parking information provided by the petitioner, staff supports the request.
RELATED FILES
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