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4 Town of Aurora Introduction What is a Comprehensive Plan & Why Do We Plan? A Comprehensive Plan is an official, long-range blueprint for a municipality’s future, created by its local government. It sets forth the community’s vision for growth and development, addressing land use, housing needs, infrastructure improvements, neighborhood revitalization, transportation, farmland preservation, climate resiliency, and natural resource protection. A well- crafted plan includes topical chapters, supporting maps and graphics, a vision statement, goals and objectives, findings and recommendations, and an implementation strategy that together provides a clear and practical guide for decision-making. While the Town of Aurora underwent a regional comprehensive plan with several adjacent communities in the early 2000s and has used that plan to help guide land use decisions, that plan was never formally adopted. Aurora continues to rely on zoning regulations first implemented decades ago, with incremental updates in the 2010s and recent adjustments to protect residential and commercial character. Recognizing the limitations of a piecemeal approach, the Town Board committed to creating a formal plan that provides a cohesive framework that will help guide growth and preservation. Developed through a robust community engagement process, the 2025 Comprehensive Plan reflects residents’ priorities of preventing sprawl, supporting small businesses, preserving open space and farmland, maintaining affordability, and preparing for future challenges such as infrastructure needs and climate change. By establishing a shared vision and clear strategies, the plan provides Aurora with the framework to proactively guide development, preserve its unique character, and ensure a vibrant, resilient future for the next 10 to 20 years. How to Use This Plan Comprehensive plans are intended to remain flexible and representative of the community’s changing needs, conditions, and emerging trends. The community and its leaders should be consistently reviewing the Plan’s vision, goals, and recommendations when making decisions on major changes to Aurora. However, the community should also be reviewing and updating the plan as necessary, so it remains consistent with the changes occurring in the community. This plan should be utilized to evaluate the merit of capital projects, development proposals, and regulatory changes such as updates to the zoning code. While some proposed projects and/or initiatives may align with the goals and objectives set forth in the plan, others may not and will require additional scrutiny. The guiding vision statement, goals, and recommendations in this plan do not cover every possible opportunity, issue, or decision the Town may have to make, but are meant as tools that will assist with the local decision-making process and are intended to serve as the foundation for the Town of Aurora. 1. Aurora’s Community Profile This section provides a snapshot of Aurora’s current conditions—covering demographics, housing, land use, natural resources, the economy, and more—to establish a clear baseline for planning. The Town should use the information included in this section as both a foundation for decision-making and a benchmark to track progress and adapt strategies over time.