APA-IL News BLAST! Naperville's Toolkit for Successful Redevelopment

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November/December Illinois Planning News, Edition 88 Paula Freeze, Editor

	Naperville's Toolkit for Successful Redevelopment by Suzanne Thorsen, Community Planner, City of Naperville

	Since 1999, the City of Naperville has actively monitored and addressed the impacts of residential redevelopment activity in the community’s established neighborhoods. Although a comprehensive set of zoning regulations related to infill and redevelopment were adopted in 2005, the city continues to actively engage residents and the development community in promoting compatible redevelopment. Recent efforts include not only regulatory and procedural adjustments, but also increased focus on partnership with Community First, a grassroots organization comprised of design and construction professionals who authored the acclaimed Workbook for Successful Redevelopment. Despite the successes that have been attained in managing the bulk and scale of new residential redevelopment as a result of recent regulatory changes, the city has recognized the limits of zoning to effectively address stated concerns and the need to provide additional guidance. The Toolkit for Successful Redevelopment prepared by the City of Naperville ’s planning staff with input from several other departments within the city’s municipal structure, including the building, utilities, engineering and code enforcement divisions. The document conveys a wide array of complex information and procedures pertaining to all stages of infill and redevelopment in a format that is concise, usable, easily updated and understood by a wide range of audiences (builders, residents, architects, etc.). As an educational document, the intent of the Toolkit has been to make the process of redevelopment smoother for applicants and to minimize impact on adjacent properties. Community response to the Toolkit has been overwhelmingly positive, with residents and builders alike noting that the document provides clarification on the many intricate details and policies associated with infill and redevelopment activity in the City of Naperville. To view the guide, visit: http://www.naperville.il.us/toolkit.aspx

	Suzanne Thorsen Community Planner City of Naperville -- TED Business Group 400 S. Eagle St. Naperville, IL 60540 phone: 630-420-6080 fax 630-420-6657 thorsensu@naperville.il.us