The Aurora City Council is set to vote on a conditional use that would allow a West Side church to legally have a basketball court and soccer field.
The court and soccer field already exist next to Village Bible Church, 1401 W. Galena Blvd., which is at the corner of Galena Boulevard and Randall Road, on the West Side.
They were put in without the conditional use, so getting that will make the facilities conform to the city’s zoning laws.
The City Council in 2020 approved a final plan for an addition to the church, and while some work was done there, the actual addition was never done. But the basketball court and soccer field were installed and they have been used by both the church and the public since then.
In addition to the conditional use, aldermen will vote on a revision to the final plan that would include the sports facilities.
The conditional use and plan revision are likely to be approved at the regular City Council meeting Tuesday, but they come with conditions designed to get rid of some problems that have occurred there.
Some residents have complained that the basketball court in particular has brought many players there, causing noise and trash in the area. Sometimes the playing goes on into the night, even the early morning, according to some of the complaints.
Some of those who complained, particularly nearby residents of the church, spoke before the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission.
Church officials said they took steps to try to mitigate some of the problems, including using a device called a “Hoop Boot” that actually seals off the basketball hoop, keeping it from being used.
To get the conditional use, church officials have agreed to more conditions for the site.
The hours of operation for the public will be 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., will be extended one hour, to 9 p.m., for the church. The church will continue to lock the basketball hoops each night, according to the conditions laid out.
Church officials said they have used the basketball court area for other uses, including a block party, a taco dinner, mobile food pantries and a free soccer camp for kids on the property.
The space has also been used for overflow parking for some of the businesses in the area, as well as West Aurora High School, which is just down the street.
Officials added that the recreational facilities have been used by many area youths, and at times, police officers play basketball with the young people.
