Wheaton property owners will see the city's zoning rules rewritten for the first time in 37 years after the City Council approved a $149,965 contract with Houseal Lavigne Associates at its Monday, July 20 meeting.
The council also formally objected to a proposed video gaming café that would sit less than 400 feet from a Montessori school on Gary Avenue. And members honored City Manager Michael Dzugan with a proclamation at what was his final regular meeting before retiring Saturday, August 1.
Zoning overhaul
The resolution authorizes Agreement No. 629 with the Chicago-based firm to overhaul Wheaton's zoning ordinance, which has been patched 147 times since its last full update in 1989. The city budgeted $150,000 for the project in its General Fund.
James P. Kozik, the city's director of planning and economic development, recommended Houseal Lavigne over two other bidders — Sightline Planning and Zoning ($148,800) and ZoneCO LLC ($175,000). Staff said Houseal Lavigne offered the best blend of expertise and committed the most hours to the project, according to Kozik's memo to the council. The city also plans to hire an outside law firm specializing in municipal zoning law to handle legal analysis of sign regulations and enforcement provisions.
Individual vote tallies were not available as of Monday evening; meeting minutes had not been posted.
Gaming café objection
The council directed staff to object to DuPage County Zoning Board of Appeals Petition ZONING-26-000029, filed by Lucky Penny's for a video gaming café restaurant at ON758 Gary Avenue.
The site sits about 396 feet from a Montessori school at 1960-1980 Gary Avenue and 345 feet from Lacey's Place, an existing gaming café at ON684 Gary Avenue. DuPage County zoning requires 1,000 feet of separation from both schools and other gaming establishments.
Kozik wrote in his staff memo that the school-distance variance "represents a nearly 60% reduction from the zoning requirement" and that the proximity to other gaming establishments "effectively circumvents the County's zoning requirement altogether."
The property also houses Sully's Place, a tavern with video gaming terminals, putting the proposed café effectively zero feet from another gaming operation.
The memo was copied to DuPage County District 4 representatives Jim Stran and Jessica Infelise Datzman.
Dzugan's farewell
Mayor Philip J. Suess presented a proclamation honoring Dzugan's nearly 35 years with the city — 24½ years as assistant city manager and 10 as city manager. He was the sixth person to hold the top job since Wheaton adopted the council-manager form of government in November 1961, serving five mayors and 35 council members during his tenure.
A retirement reception was held from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. in the second-floor Gamon Room before the regular meeting.
Raymond Munch, formerly Naperville's director of finance, started as Wheaton's new city manager Monday, July 27, at a base salary of $260,000.
The planning session scheduled for Monday, July 27 was cancelled due to lack of business, according to a notice signed by City Clerk Andrea Rosedale. The next regular council meeting date has not been officially posted. Residents can check the city's agenda center at wheaton.il.us for updates.
