Wheaton approves plans for LA Fitness along Roosevelt Road

WHEATON – The Wheaton City Council on Nov. 7 gave the green light to a 34,000-square-foot LA Fitness proposed for the southeast corner of Roosevelt Road and Chase Street.

In approving the plans, City Council members put several restrictions in place designed to address the concerns of residents living near the property. Several residents had voiced concerns the LA Fitness would add to the amount of traffic in their neighborhood.

As part of the restrictions, curb cuts will not be allowed on Chase Street and the owner will need to install a solid wood, 8-foot fence on any portion of the property adjacent to property that is zoned residential.

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, during an Oct. 17 City Council meeting. "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 had said. "We felt this [LA Fitness] was a very good fit for the community and for the property."

LA Fitness also wanted the city to repeal a restrictive covenant created in 1965 that prohibited the construction of a building within 103 feet of the south property line. Two commercial buildings will be razed to make way for the LA Fitness.

City Council members agreed the building should be set back 42 feet along the south property line in lieu of the current restrictive covenant.