PROPERTY INFO - ZONING INFO - COMMUNITY INFO - APPENDIX

COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Aurora, Ohio

Aurora remained a Western Reserve farming community until the early 1960's. At the time, residential development accelerated and continued through the 1990's, which saw a population increase of approximately 60 percent. Commercial and industrial development also continues to experience substantial growth. Most housing development has been higher-priced, single-family homes and condominiums. Aurora's desire to maintain its heritage has prompted community leaders to establish and maintain architectural standards to comply and be compatible with the Western Reserve architectural style.

Two significant business attractions have been a major influence in Aurora's development; Six Flags Worlds of Adventure, and Aurora Premium Outlet stores. State routes 43,82, and 306, provide easy access to US 422 and interstate I-480, I-271, I-76 and I-80 (Ohio Turnpike), which result in hundreds of thousands of visitors at these attractions yearly.

A comprehensive City Master Plan and strong zoning provides for orderly residential and commercial growth. McMaster Carr Industrial Supply company is the largest industrial employer with almost 500 employees. Local manufactured products include adhesives, aerospace technology, plastics, computers and warehousing. Air transportation is located at Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport, 35 miles west and at the Akron-Canton regional Airport, 35 miles south.

Smaller private and corporate aircraft are accommodated at the Portage County and Kent State University airports.

Residents enjoy quiet living areas with modern shopping centers, nearby recreational areas like Sunny Lake Park and a local playhouse. Regional cultural opportunities include Cleveland's Playhouse Square area and Akron's E.J. Thomas Hall.

Excellent educational opportunities are provided by the Aurora school system with three elementary, one middle, one high school, and one non-public Christian Academy. Five universities and colleges are within 30 minutes of Aurora.

Medical and emergency hospital services are available in Ravenna - 20 miles southeast, and in Solon - 12 miles north. A Life Flight Helicopter is located for life threatening emergencies.

Numerous parks as well as three local golf courses are popular for recreation. The Barrington Residential Community is also home to a Jack Nicklaus designed golf course and the Aurora Country Club hosted a Pro/Am Golf Tournament in 1998. The beautiful Walden Country Club and residential development continues to receive awards of design superiority.

Enterprise Zone Programs

Aurora Industrial Park II, located in Portage County, participates in two programs that provide property tax incentives. These encourage capital investment and job creation for new and expanding businesses:

Enterprise Zones - Provide tax exemptions for both real and personal property.
Community Reinvestment Areas - Provide tax exemption for real property only.

The Enterprise Zones in Portage County are designed as limited authority, non-distressed zones. Property tax exemptions (up to 75 percent in municipalities and up to 60 percent in unincorporated areas) are allowed on new real and personal property taxes for up to 10 years. Exemptions are permitted with approval from the local school district. The director of the Portage County Office of Economic Development (PCOED) serves as Enterprise Zone Manager.

Community Reinvestment Areas (CRAs) created prior to July 22, 1994 permit 100 percent exemption of real property taxes for up to 15 years. The number of years is set when each CRA is established and varies from community to community. Administration of CRAs in unincorporated areas is provided by the Director of the Portage County Regional Planning Commission. Administration in incorporated areas is provided by the city or village establishing the CRA. New Community Reinvestment Areas created after July 22, 1994 require negotiated agreements similar to those in Enterprise Zones.

Tax Abatement Opportunities

The City of Aurora, lying in an Enterprise Zone, is a very proactive community and tax abatement opportunities may be offered on personal and real property tax. Assistance with this option is available.