PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Conduct the public hearing for the Northwoods of Naperville sign variance (1203 Warrenville Road) - DEV-0067-2025
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Sara Kopinski, AICP
ENTITLEMENTS REQUESTED:
1. Approve a variance from Section 6-16-4:2 to allow a sign to be used for residential purposes to exceed permissible allowances and measure approximately 41.75 sq. ft in size and 10 ft. in height;
2. Approve a temporary use to permit temporary marketing signage on the subject property, in accordance with the temporary signage package submitted to the City (City Council review only).
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
Official notice for the public hearing for DEV-0067-2025 was published in the Naperville Sun on Sunday, July 20, 2025.
BACKGROUND:
The subject property consists of approximately 12.18 acres located at 1151 E. Warrenville Road and is undergoing redevelopment into a residential community with sixty-four (64) townhomes known as the Northwoods of Naperville.
The subject property is a flag lot, with minimal frontage or visibility along Warrenville Road, and is accessible via a shared private road through the adjacent property. Due the property’s limited visibility along Warrenville Road, signage for the property has been provided in a signage and landscape easement (recorded as Document Number R2015-038322) platted on the adjacent property at 1203 Warrenville Road to provide adequate site identification to passersby.
The petitioner has confirmed that the signage and landscape easement continues with any successor in interest and proposes updating the existing sign (previously used to identify the Illinois Health and Hospital Association) to identify the Northwoods of Naperville.
Prior Entitlements
• On May 6, 2025, City Council approved the following ordinances relating to Northwoods of Naperville: (i) Ord. 25-042 approving rezoning 1151 E. Warrenville Road from RD (Research And Development District) to OCI (Office, Commercial, and Institutional); (ii) Ord. 25-043 approving a conditional use for single-family attached dwellings in the OCI zoning district; and, (iii) Ord. 25-044 approving a preliminary plat of subdivision for Northwoods of Naperville with a deviation to Section 7-3-3:1 (Right-of-way Improvements: Streets).
• On July 15, 2025, City Council approved Ord. 25-066 approving a final plat of subdivision and OAA for Northwoods of Naperville.
DISCUSSION:
Warrenville Road is generally developed as an office corridor with minimal residential properties having frontage along it. Offices/non-residential properties are permitted to have signage measuring up to 10 feet in height, and 90 square feet in size. The existing sign on the subject property is consistent with these allowances and the character of the corridor, measuring 60 square feet in size and 10 feet in height. It is presently used for the identification of an office building (Illinois Health and Hospital Association (IHA)), which is undergoing redevelopment.
The petitioner seeks to repurpose the existing office sign into a residential sign to identify the Northwoods of Naperville development. As a result, the signage regulations provided in Section 6-16-4:2 (Signs on Residential Property) of the Municipal Code will apply to the repurposed sign. Signage being used for residential purposes is permitted to be 9 feet in height (since Warrenville Road is a major arterial roadway) and 32 square feet in size. The petitioner seeks approval of a variance from Section 6-16-4:2 to allow the Northwoods of Naperville sign to measure approximately 41.75 sq. ft in size and 10 ft. in height.
As detailed above, the subject property is comprised of a flag lot with minimal frontage along Warrenville Road. The petitioner notes that this unique shape, and the fact that Warrenville Road has a speed limit of 45 mph, creates minimal visibility for the neighborhood and the need for larger signage to identify the development and allow drivers to safely reduce speed prior to turning and entering the subdivision. The proposed sign simply updates the existing sign’s design and message to identify the Northwoods of Naperville residential subdivision; therefore, is expected to remain consistent with the character of the area while providing adequate site identification. Staff agrees with the petitioner and is supportive of the requested variances.
Findings of Fact
The petitioner’s responses to the Standards for Granting a Variance can be found in the attachments. Upon review, staff agrees with the petitioner’s Findings and recommends their adoption by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Temporary Use for Temporary Signage (City Council review only)
As part of the signage proposal, the petitioner seeks approval of a temporary use to permit temporary marketing signage on the Property, in accordance with the attached temporary signage package, for a period ending the sooner of (a) the date on which the final occupancy permit for any residential unit located within the Northwoods of Naperville development is issued or (b) the date on which the permanent monument sign for the community is installed. The proposed temporary use for temporary signage is not subject to review by the Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC), but information has been provided for reference. This request will be considered by City Council at a subsequent meeting.
Conclusions and Key Takeaways
Staff finds the petitioner’s proposal to be consistent with the intentions of the City’s Sign Code and compatible with surrounding properties. Staff is supportive of the sign height and sign size variances requested.