New homes coming near Wheaton North High School

A small housing development near Wheaton North High School was given the go-ahead Monday by the Wheaton City Council, despite concerns from residents about flooding and traffic.

The council unanimously approved an amendment to the city's zoning map and an annexation agreement for 4½ acres near 0N675 Morse St.

Oak Creek Capital Partners, LLC plans to build 11 houses on the property, with lot sizes ranging from about 7,500 square feet to 9,000 square feet.

The number of homes is a modification to the original plan, which included 13 lots and had numerous variation requests that concerned the city council.

By reducing the number of lots, the developer was able to eliminate the previously requested variations.

Other modifications that were made since the plan was last presented to the council included rotating two lots to face south and constructing 15 parallel parking spots and a sidewalk along the west side of Morse Street.

Still, one of the top concerns from residents - opening up the cul-de-sac on Amy Lane to connect the road to Morse Street - remains in the plans.

Residents are concerned that students will use Amy Lane as an alternative to the Geneva Road and Morse Street intersection.

Amy Lane resident Tom Langan invited city council members to visit his home on a school day to see how bad the traffic already is in the area.

"I just don't see how in the world that is a benefit to anybody," he said of the plans to make Amy Lane a through street.

City staff presented the council with several suggestions for ways to mitigate the use of Amy Lane during peak school hours.

It was recommended that a specific plan be put in place after the subdivision is completed and actual traffic counts can be observed.

As for flooding, the development plans include stormwater management in a single facility and landscaped outlots.

At past meetings, city officials said the new development is not expected to increase flooding in the area, but residents should not expect current flooding conditions to improve, either.