Wheaton council OKs new homes over neighbors' concerns

Council members voted 4-3 Tuesday to approve the zoning application for five new homes that will be built on a half-acre lot in downtown Wheaton, despite outcry from neighbors and recommendations against it from the planning and zoning board and city staff.

Airhart Construction will construct three-story homes that range between 2,400 and 3,000 square feet at 208 N. West St., where one 128-year-old home currently stands.

Seminary Avenue resident Gary Grottke said he felt the project didn't meet the seven requirements set by the city for approval of a planned unit development, known as PUDs

"The bar is set high for approval of PUDs," he said. "The project must provide special benefits to the community and the surrounding area, and it certainly cannot have negative impacts on the neighbors or the neighborhood. This project does not meet those tests."

Neighbors have argued the development is too dense, too close to neighboring property lines and facing the wrong direction, as they would face east-west, instead of the rest of the homes on the block that face north-south.

They have also expressed concerns about the creation of a separate, private "motor court" that would be built off the public alley and potential for more flooding in an area that already has stormwater issues.

Council members Suzanne Fitch, John Prendiville and John Rutledge opposed the development.

"The other houses there are older and at some point during the life span of this new project would be ready for development," Rutledge said. "It seems to me that the long-term prospects for that block require a north south orientation."

Prendiville said he worried approval of the project would set a precedent in an area where at least two other similar developments could be built in the future. He also suggested the council consider upping the requirement for approval of PUDs to a supermajority vote.

But Councilmen Phil Suess, Todd Scalzo, Thor Saline and Mayor Michael Gresk supported it.

"I think it's, overall, a good project, and I think it's in line with a lot of other PUDs we've approved," Scalzo said. "I just fall slightly more on the side of being deferential to the property owner in doing what they want. And I believe the neighbors are protected, because I don't think the project is that injurious to the surrounding neighborhood."