A special use is one which is potentially appropriate in and compatible with other uses in its zoning district. However, the potential major impact of its scale and nature on its district and the City of Urbana as a whole, necessitates stricter examination, site plan review, and individual regulation.
In addition to any conditions imposed by the City Council, a special use authorized by the City Council is subject to all the development regulations applicable to permitted uses in the district in which it is located, unless other more restrictive regulations are specifically approved. Special uses are also subject to the regulations pertaining to parking and access which are applicable for the use and district, and to the following additional requirements, unless otherwise specifically stated in the terms of the special use:
Unless otherwise specifically stated by the City Council, the special use approval shall be valid until the special use is discontinued. Valid special use approval in the form of an ordinance is required before issuance of a building permit or Certificate of Occupancy (if no building permit is required). If a building permit or Certificate of Occupancy is not issued within one year of approval, the special use permit shall no longer be valid.
The following conditions shall apply to any Firearm Store:
- Public hearing notification requirements of Section XI-10.B of the Urbana Zoning Ordinance shall be increased from 250 feet to 500 feet.
- Approval of a site security plan by the Urbana Chief of Police, or designee, shall be a condition for approval of a Special Use Permit. Updated site security plans shall be submitted to the Police Chief at least every three years.
- Firearms and ammunition shall not be displayed in windows.
- Hours of service shall be limited to 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- No individual under the minimum age to purchase a firearm in the State of Illinois shall be allowed on the premises unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
The following conditions shall apply to any Indoor Firing Range:
- Public hearing notification requirements of Section XI-10.B of the Urbana Zoning Ordinance shall be increased from 250 feet to 500 feet.
- Private Indoor Firing Ranges shall conform to U.S. Department of Energy’s Range Design Criteria or subsequent federal criteria.
- No individual under the minimum age to purchase a firearm in the State of Illinois shall be allowed on the premises unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
- Hours of operation shall be limited to 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
APPLICATION
The Special Use Permit application is available on the CitizenServe portal, which is an online program that allows applicants to submit applications and pay application fees online.
A digital pdf of the Special Use Permit application is available below. You can save to your computer and fill in the information requested. You can either submit the application (including the application fee) in person, mail it to our office (City of Urbana | Planning Division, 400 South Vine Street, Urbana, IL 61801), or email it to Planning [at] UrbanaIL.gov (Planning[at]UrbanaIL[dot]gov).
Note: If additional space is needed, please provide answer(s) on separate sheet of paper.
FEES
Application
The application fee must accompany the application when submitted for processing. For the current fee, please refer to the most recent version of the City’s Schedule of Fees - Excluding Liquor License Fees.
Legal Ad
The Applicant is responsible for paying the cost for a legal ad in the News-Gazette. The News-Gazette will bill the applicant directly.
ASSISTANCE
It is strongly recommended and sometimes required to have a phone conversation or meeting with Planning staff (depending on the type of application) prior to an application being submitted. This is an opportunity to find out what regulations and requirements are expected to be met and followed. This includes what application(s) you will be required to apply and get approval for. City staff will inform you what the process and time frame will be for getting application(s) for your intended plans reviewed and hopefully approved.
If, when you are filling out a Planning | Zoning application, you have questions or require assistance, please contact the Planning Division staff by email at Planning [at] urbanail.gov (Planning[at]UrbanaIL[dot]gov) or by calling 217.384.2440.