Chicago City Wire

City of Wheaton Planning and Zoning Board met Oct. 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

I. Call To Order and Roll Call Vote 

Acting Chair Plunkett called the Tuesday, October 10, 2023, Wheaton Planning and Zoning Board meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in-person and via zoom. Upon roll call, the following were:

Roll Call Vote

Present: Chris Dabovich

Chris Derrick

Bob Gudmundson

Cecilia Horejs

Mark Plunkett

Dan Wanzung

Absent: Nicole Aranas

City Staff Present: Tracy Jones, Staff Planner

Joe Tebrugge, Director of Engineering

II. Approval of Minutes - September 12, 2023 

The minutes were approved as presented.

III. Public Comment 

Sharon Beiersdorf addressed the Board. Ms. Beiersdorf stated that she was opposed to the proposed expansion of the Cosley Zoo parking area on the east side of Gary Avenue. She submitted a copy of a letter that she sent to the Wheaton Park District Board of Commissioners and Executive Director, Mike Bernard.

IV. Old Business 

Acting Chair Plunkett reconvened the public hearing requesting a staff initiated text amendment to Article 24.10.11 of the Wheaton Zoning Ordinance for Short-Term Home Sharing Rentals to address various public safety concerns that have arisen since the existing language was adopted in September 2020.

Staff Planner Jones stated that the Tuesday, September 12, 2023 public hearing was continued until Tuesday, October 10, 2023 to give staff time to make the following changes to the proposed text amendment language:

1. Revise the proposed language under existing Article 24.10.11D to allow a maximum of two (2) occupants per bedroom and an additional two (2) occupants per living room and/or family room containing a sleeper sofa, excluding minors aged twelve (12) and under; and

2. Add additional language under existing Article 24.10.11G requiring staff to establish a maximum occupancy limit per unit.

Staff Planner Jones stated that based on the feedback received from the Board at the Tuesday, September 12, 2023 public hearing, staff is now proposing to add language to existing Article 24.10.11D as follows: “The maximum number of occupants allowed during a Short-Term Home Sharing Rental shall not exceed two (2) per bedroom. An additional two (2) occupants are permitted per living room and/ or family room containing a sleeper sofa. Minors aged twelve (12) and under are excluded from this occupancy limit.”

Staff Planner Jones stated that based on the feedback received from the Board at the Tuesday, September 12, 2023 public hearing, staff is now proposing to add language to existing Article 24.10.11G as follows: “The maximum number of occupants, based on the criteria listed above in Article 24.10.11D, shall be included in this letter.”

In addition to the changes requested by the Board, the City Attorney recommended that staff delete new Article 24.10.11 F, as she didn’t feel it was necessary.

Mr. Gudmundson moved and then Mr. Wanzung seconded the motion to close the public hearing. On a voice vote, all voted aye.

Mr. Derrick moved and then Mr. Gudmundson seconded the motion to approve ZA #23-17 requesting a staff initiated text amendment to Article 24.10.11 of the Wheaton Zoning Ordinance for Short-Term Home Sharing Rentals to address various public safety concerns that have arisen since the existing language was adopted in September 2020 as amended.

Roll Call Vote

Ayes: Chris Dabovich

Chris Derrick

Bob Gudmundson

Cecilia Horejs

Mark Plunkett

Dan Wanzung

Nays: None

Absent: Nicole Aranas

Motion Passed Unanimously

V. New Business 

ZA #23-19/ Special Use Permit/ 1401 S. Naperville Road/ Bethel Presbyterian Church 

Pursuant to notice duly published on September 22, 2023 and letters mailed to neighboring property owners on September 20, 2023, Acting Chair Plunkett called to order the October 10, 2023 public hearing requesting a special use permit pursuant to Article 7.1.6 of the Wheaton Zoning Ordinance to allow the construction and use of a new 1,350 square foot entrance vestibule addition to the existing Bethel Orthodox Presbyterian Church building located at 1401 S. Naperville Road. The subject property is approximately 4.06 acres in size and zoned R-1 Residential District.

Michael LoRusso, 1401 S. Naperville Road, Wheaton was sworn in. Mr. LoRusso stated that he was the President of the Board of Trustees of the Bethel Presbyterian Church. He stated that their existing church building was constructed in the 1960’s and includes both a main and lower level. The main level is used for worship services, offices, and Sunday School classrooms. The lower level is used for a fellowship hall, as well as multi-purpose rooms, and additional Sunday School classrooms.

Mr. LoRusso stated that their congregation has roughly 175 adult members with at least 17 adult members having mobility issues. He added that their church building has no elevator, and this has become more and more of a challenge. He added that the addition is intended to address this issue by adding an elevator and two handicapped accessible bathrooms, one on each level.

David Schaefer, 2500 S. Highland Avenue, Suite 340, Lombard was sworn in. Mr. Schaefer stated that he was the architect working on the project. He stated that the proposed lower level floor plan includes a hallway, ADA restroom, elevator, and storage. The proposed ground level floor plan includes an entry, hallway, and elevator. The proposed upper level floor plan includes a hallway, ADA restroom, elevator, and storage. He stated that the building elevations show a brown brick facade to match the existing building. A double door entry with two sets of windows on either side is proposed on the eastern most wall facing the parking lot. No additional rooftop mechanicals are proposed on the addition.

Mr. Schaefer addressed the special use standards as required by the Wheaton Zoning Ordinance. He stated that the special use would not be detrimental to the public health, safety, morals, comfort, convenience, or general welfare of the neighboring property owners.

Mr. Schaefer stated that after they submitted their zoning application, staff informed them that their current engineering plans do not meet the City’s detention requirements. Thus, he requested that their request be continued until Tuesday, November 14, 2023 to give their engineer time to revise the engineering plans.

Mr. Dabovich moved and then Mr. Derrick seconded the motion to continue this public hearing until Tuesday, November 14, 2023 to give the applicant’s engineer time to revise the engineering plans. On a voice vote, all voted aye.

VI. Miscellaneous 

There was none.

VII. Adjournment 

Mr. Gudmundson moved and then Ms. Horejs seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:32 p.m. On a voice vote, all voted aye.

https://www.wheaton.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10102023-2397