Wheaton neighbors oppose LA Fitness being proposed along Roosevelt Road

WHEATON – Despite concerns from neighbors, Wheaton City Council members continue to study plans for a 34,000-square-foot LA Fitness proposed for the southeast corner of Roosevelt Road and Chase Street.

LA Fitness wants the city to repeal a restrictive covenant created in 1965 that prohibits the construction of a building within 103 feet of the south property line, City Manager Michael Dzugan said during an Oct. 17 meeting. Two commercial buildings would be razed to make way for the LA Fitness.

"The applicant indicated at the public hearing that they are not willing to move the building out of that building area," Dzugan said.

Derrick Foreman, who lives on Pershing Avenue in Wheaton, voiced concerns the LA Fitness would add to the amount of traffic on Pershing, which lacks sidewalks on part of the street.

"I have almost been personally hit by a vehicle while walking on Pershing Avenue going down to the train for work," Foreman said to the City Council. "It's a very, very dangerous street. It's very narrow, and there's a lot of congestion."

A petition signed by 77 residents against the project was presented to city officials.

"We would all like to see something go in on Roosevelt," said Tim Weber, who lives on Weaver Court in Wheaton. "But this, I don't think, is the best project for that site... I would urge you to find a more suitable project for that site."

Steve Panko of the Chicago-based Key Development Partners told city officials the proposal for an LA Fitness on the property is rather "tame" compared to other uses.

"One of the other options we had was to do a 17,000-square-foot charity type of retailer with two outlets out in front," Panko said. "We felt this [LA Fitness] was a very good fit for the community and for the property."

Councilman John Rutledge said he thought the project was a good fit for the land.

"I'm concerned about just having this thing sit for a few more years and then having something that's even less desirable," Rutledge said.

Other City Council members agreed.

"If we just look at this property without talking about the neighborhood, I think everybody can agree that this is a great improvement over what is there now," councilwoman Suzanne Fitch said. "We have vacant, dilapidated buildings there now, and obviously we need this property to turn over and be developed."

However, she said the traffic concerns voiced by neighbors need to be addressed.

"I would like those issues to be addressed separately," Fitch said.

City Council members agreed curb cuts should not be allowed on Chase Street in order to protect residents from additional traffic. They also agreed the building should be set back 42 feet along the south property line in lieu of the current restrictive covenant.

Staff will now come back to the Wheaton City Council with a proposed ordinance to amend the restrictive covenant.