The Design Review Board administers the design review procedures in the Mixed-Office Residential (MOR) Zoning District, the Lincoln-Busey Overlay District, and the East Urbana Design Review Overlay District, in conformance with the requirements in Section XI-12 of the Urbana Zoning Ordinance.
Mixed Office-Residential (MOR) Zoning District
Objectives for Reviewing Site Plan proposals in the MOR Zoning District:
- Encourage compatibility by minimizing impacts between proposed land uses and the surrounding area
- Encourage the design of new construction compatible with the neighborhood's visual and aesthetic character through the Mixed-Office Residential Design Guidelines
- Determine if proposed development plans meet the intent of the district as stated in Section IV-2.I.
East Urbana Design Review Overlay District and Lincoln Busey Corridor Design Review Overlay District
Objectives for reviewing applications in the East Urbana Design Review Overlay District and in the Lincoln-Busey Corridor Design Review Overlay District:
- Review the design of new construction to ensure compatibility with the neighborhood's visual and aesthetic character through the adopted Lincoln-Busey Corridor Overlay District Design Guidelines and the East Urbana Design Review Overlay District Design Guidelines
- Determine if applications meet the intent of the district as stated in the adopted design guidelines
Design Review Board Members
Membership of the Board consists of one of each of the following:
- A member of the Plan Commission
- A member of the Historic Preservation Commission
- A licensed architect
- A local developer
- Three individuals from any three of the following distinct categories:
- A resident living inside or within 250' of the MOR District
- A resident living inside or within 250' of the Lincoln-Busey Corridor Design Review Overlay District
- A resident living inside or within 250' of the East Urbana Design Review Overlay District
- An owner of a local business with fewer than 40 employees
- Two alternate members from the above distinct categories. Alternate members may participate, vote, and contribute to establishing a quorum only in the absence of a regular member or due a regular member’s recusal.
A list of members and their contact information and terms is attached below.
To send an email to all board members and staff, please use this address: DesignReviewBoard [at] UrbanaIL.gov
Design Review Board Meetings
The Board meets annually at 5:30 p.m. on the Thursday following the second Monday in January. Additional meetings will be held as needed when applications are submitted that require the Design Review Board's review.
The regular meeting of the Design Review Board for 2025 was scheduled for Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 5:30 pm in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 400 South Vine Street, Urbana, Illinois.
List of Upcoming and Recent Meetings
Links to other Related Design Review Webpages
Application for Design Review Approval
Design Review District Guidelines
Assistance
If 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.
If you are interested in volunteering your time and expertise and want to be considered for appointment to an Urbana board or commission, please fill out an online Board and Commission Application.