Wheaton council debates helping stop condo vandals
City council members want more information regarding a condo association's request for financial assistance to install a fence on the roof of the Wheaton Place Condominium in downtown Wheaton.
The association submitted a petition last month requesting help because of increasing instances of vandalism and trespassing on the roof of the property at 111 N. Wheaton Ave.
Homeowners and city officials say the trespassers are reaching the building's roof by scaling a common wall on the top floor of the city's adjacent parking garage. There is about 7 feet between the highest point of the garage and the roof line of the condominium, meaning access is likely being gained by people standing on vehicles in the garage, officials said.
Several fourth-floor residents told the council they have seen trespassers looking into their units through skylights at night, while others have heard running on the roof and seen items thrown to the ground from the roof. In addition, some air-conditioning units have been broken and graffiti has been found on the roof and in the garage.
The association submitted a proposal to the city in June to install fencing costing between about $13,000 and $38,000. But last month, homeowners said estimates for fences between 4 and 8 feet in height ranged from $20,000 to $40,000.
The city installed a camera system on the fourth floor of the garage about six months ago that has helped with some arrests. Last December, the city also obtained a $6,500 estimate to attach a fencing-type basket to the exterior wall of the building that would extend away at a 45-degree angle, making it harder for people to climb over it and onto the roof.
In addition to the installation and maintenance, the condo association is asking for financial assistance for architectural and engineering costs incurred when exploring the possibility of installing fencing on the property.
At Monday's meeting, City Manager Don Rose asked the council if it felt the city should provide some financial assistance to the association.
"I'm not sure that it's necessarily a good idea to get involved in assisting private property owners with benefits to their property," he said. "There is, however, certainly, a link to what is happening there and our parking garage."
Most council members said they need a more exact cost estimate before agreeing to spend tax money.
"If it truly is ... less than a $10,000 fix, I would imagine the homeowners association could actually absorb that level of expense, but if the fix is $38,000, then perhaps we could share in the cost," said Councilman Thor Saline. "I think we're a little bit in no man's land for what the fix is and how much it might cost."
Councilman Todd Scalzo said he is generally opposed to getting involved with improvements at private residences, but he can't remember a similar situation during his time on the council.
"I'd be in favor of giving them some financial support for 50 percent of the cost of the fencing, up to $3,250 or $3,500."
Councilman John Prendiville and Councilwoman Suzanne Fitch said they would be in favor of helping fund a fence, but only if the cost is on the lower end.
"I just think we have a moral responsibility because we built the parking garage, which gives access to the roof," Prendiville said.
But Councilman John Rutledge said if the situation can be resolved for $6,500, he doesn't understand why the city needs to get involved. Mayor Michael Gresk agreed, adding that the city doesn't have any legal responsibilities to help.
"If these weren't two high-profile owners (the city and Wheaton Place), we wouldn't even be talking about this," Gresk said. "I don't necessarily think it's a slippery slope. It could be, but it is a precedent."