Planning & Zoning Board

September 11, 2018 WHEATON PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL VOTE Chair Weller called the September 11, 2018 Wheaton Planning and Zoning Board meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Wheaton City Hall, 303 W. Wesley Street. Upon roll call, the following were: Roll Call Vote Present: Nicole Aranas Christopher Dabovich Bob Gudmundson Cecilia Horejs Mark Plunkett Dan Wanzung Scott Weller Absent: None City Staff Present: Tracy Jones, Staff Planner Jim Kozik, Director of Planning and Economic Development II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - AUGUST 14, 2018 The minutes were approved as presented. III. PUBLIC COMMENT There was none. IV. NEW BUSINESS EAST ROOSEVELT ROAD STUDY/ EXISTING CONDITIONS WORKSHOP/ CAMIROS AND VALERIE S. KRETCHMER ASSOCIATES Pursuant to letters being mailed to property owners, Chair Weller called to order the September 11, 2018 public meeting for the East Roosevelt Road Study. Chair Weller stated that this was an existing conditions workshop and this meeting was the first of several meetings that would be held by the City. Jeanne Lindwall, 411 S. Wells Street, Chicago introduced herself. Ms. Lindwall stated that she worked for Camiros, one of the firms hired to conduct the East Roosevelt Road Study. She stated that the shallow lot depths are an issue for development. She added that the lots in Glen Ellyn along Roosevelt Road are much deeper. She added that the existing requirement for smaller, office buildings to have a residential exterior can be cost prohibitive. Valerie Kretchmer, 807 Davis Street, Evanston introduced herself. Ms. Kretchmer stated that she owns Valerie S. Kretchmer Associates, one of the firms hired to conduct the East Roosevelt Road Study. She stated that the office vacancy rate in the study area was 20%. She added that this figure was higher than the Chicago metro area. She added that the narrow, shallow lots are an issue for development. She suggested the possibility of allowing additional affordable multi-family developments in the study area, especially for families and seniors.  Wheaton Planning and Zoning Board September 11, 2018 Page 2 of 2 The Board stated that they were excited that the City was conducting this study, since they have seen several zoning requests for properties on Roosevelt Road in the past few years. The Board was interested in whether other communities have had success with mixed use developments in this situation and what type of development typically work on shallow lots. For the portions of Roosevelt Road with shallow lot depths, the Board preferred to maintain the rear yard setbacks to buffer adjacent residential uses. The possibility of closing Chase Street, south of Roosevelt Road was discussed. In general, the Board was supportive of an affordable housing component, especially if state and federal money is available. The possibility of an overlay district was discussed with the option of it focusing more on form than use. John Badway, 211 W. Roosevelt Road, Wheaton provided comment. Mr. Badway stated that he owns a vacant property in the study area. He added that he would like to develop it as multi-family. Ron Dell, 703 Warrenville Road, Wheaton provided comment. Mr. Dell stated that he owns an office building at the SEC of Roosevelt and Warrenville Roads. He added that it is 25% vacant and has been for the past 4 years. Bonnie Fritz, 800 E. Roosevelt Road, Wheaton provided comment. Ms. Fritz stated that she owns the former Chrysler Dealership. She added that the City needs to minimize the number of single-family homes on Roosevelt Road, since they require too many curb cuts. She added that the City needs to clean up the existing multi-family developments in the study area. She opposed closing Chase Street, south of Roosevelt Road. Darren Miller, 502 Kipling Court, Wheaton provided comment. Mr. Miller stated that he has friends that live in the existing multi-family developments on Roosevelt Road. He added that he was supportive of preserving the existing multi-family developments and constructing more in the study area. Phil Passon, 700 Lyon, Wheaton provided comment. Mr. Passon stated that he owns a vacant property in the study area. He added that medical offices are the only ones that can afford to build on Roosevelt Road. He suggested implementing an overlay district. Pat Turley, 417 W. Roosevelt Road, Wheaton provided comment. Mr. Turley stated that he owns an office building in the study area. He added that it is 100% vacant and for sale. The Board concluded the existing conditions workshop. Staff informed the property owners that additional notices would be sent out for the next meeting that would be held by the Planning and Zoning Board in either November of December. V. MISCELLANEOUS There was none. VI. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Plunkett moved and then Mr. Gudmundson seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m. On a voice vote, all voted aye. Respectfully submitted, Tracy L. Jones, Staff Planner