Wheaton council directs staff to object to DuPage County gaming changes; approves contracts, licenses and zoning first readings

Wheaton City Council on Jan. 21 voted to direct city staff to file an objection to DuPage County Zoning Petition T‑125, a proposed county text amendment that would change distance requirements for video gaming terminals, and approved several contracts, liquor licenses and zoning first readings.

The council’s motion directs staff to submit formal objections to the county and to consider asking the county to add a provision preserving a 1,000‑foot buffer from municipal boundaries for municipalities that prohibit gaming terminals. A council member said the county’s draft language — which creates a separate “cafe” category distinct from restaurants — had already affected zoning outcomes in north Wheaton and urged that the city’s correspondence be sent also to the county board representatives for Districts 4 and 6.

The objection follows a staff memorandum notifying the council that the county’s amendment would reduce separation distances in some cases — for example, decreasing the distance from schools from 1,000 feet to 100 feet — and recommending council action. The council voted, by roll call, to direct staff to proceed.

In other votes, the council approved a resolution authorizing agreement No. 521 with American Road Maintenance Inc. for application of the preventive asphalt surface treatment product GSB‑88, for a total not to exceed $100,000 plus a 10% contingency. City staff said the product is used as preventive maintenance — applied about one year after resurfacing and again about five years later — and that $100,000 was budgeted in the 2025 Public Works budget for the treatment.

The council also approved a bid waiver to permit the fleet superintendent to purchase up to four replacement vehicles as they become available, with an estimated combined cost of about $157,000. Staff explained ongoing supply issues and recommended the waiver so individual vehicles can be acquired when available.

A professional services agreement with WBK Engineering LLC for design of the city’s 2025 fall new‑sidewalk program was approved for an amount not to exceed $99,601.50 plus a 10% contingency. Staff said the fall program is intended to install about 2.53 miles of new sidewalk and recommended selecting the second‑low bidder because the low bidder included proposal conditions and past performance concerns.

The council approved two liquor items: an amendment to the city’s liquor control ordinance to align Class L business hours with restaurant license categories at the request of Studio Movie Grill, and a Class A liquor license for Doe LLC doing business as Doe in the Backyard at 111 East Front Street. The general manager for the Studio Movie Grill introduced himself during the meeting; the liquor commission had recommended the license application for Doe LLC unanimously.

On land‑use actions, the council approved an ordinance granting a special use amendment to permit additional parking and other access changes for First Assembly of God at the southwest corner of Geneva Road and President Street; a resident who spoke at the meeting, Jane Beatty of 840 Pine Grove, thanked the council for modifications to the landscaping plan. The council also approved vacating 33 feet of the unimproved Wilmette right‑of‑way to benefit properties at 1520 and 1602 Wakeman, subject to conditions set forth in the ordinance.

Several zoning changes and technical code updates were placed on the agenda as first readings and will return for final consideration at subsequent meetings. These included creation of a DuPage County Governmental Center zoning district, amendments to the Wheaton Zoning Map, and amendments to create a Roosevelt Road Corridor district; the city also scheduled a final vote on adopting the 2024 building codes at its Feb. 3 meeting with an effective date of March 1 if adopted.

The council also approved reappointments to city boards and commissions, accepted staff’s recommendation on the planning contract, approved payment of bills totaling $1,843,128.55, and adjourned. Several council members and staff offered brief council comments about recent community events.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda: approved (unanimous roll call). - Reappointments to boards and commissions (Susan Brinkman — Band Commission; Sarah Antis — Fine and Cultural Arts Commission; James Roman — Board of Fire and Police Commissioners): approved (unanimous roll call). - Ordinance (special use) — First Assembly of God, 900 East Geneva Road: approved (roll call: all members recorded as yes). - Resolution — Agreement No. 521, American Road Maintenance Inc., GSB‑88 asphalt surface treatment, not to exceed $100,000 plus 10% contingency: approved (roll call: all recorded yes). - Resolution — Bid waiver/purchase of up to four replacement vehicles, estimated $157,000: approved (five‑vote requirement met; roll call recorded yes votes). - Ordinance (first reading) — Amendments to Chapter 22 (buildings/building regulations) to adopt 2024 building codes: first reading; final adoption set for Feb. 3 (no final vote). - Motion to direct staff to object to DuPage County Zoning Petition T‑125 (video gaming) and to copy county board representatives: approved (roll call: all recorded yes). - Ordinance (first reading) — DuPage County Governmental Center Zoning District and corresponding zoning map amendment: first reading; final reading Feb. 3 (no final vote). - Ordinance — Amendment to Liquor Control Ordinance (Chapter 6) to adjust Class L hours (requested by Studio Movie Grill): approved (roll call: all recorded yes). - Application for Class A liquor license — Doe LLC d/b/a Doe in the Backyard, 111 E. Front St.: approved (liquor commission recommended unanimously; council roll call yes). - Ordinance — Vacation of 33 feet of Wilmette right‑of‑way to benefit 1520 and 1602 Wakeman (subject to ordinance conditions): approved (roll call: all recorded yes; five‑vote requirement met). - Ordinance (first reading) — Roosevelt Road Corridor District and zoning map amendment: first reading; final reading Feb. 3 (no final vote). - Resolution — Agreement No. 525, WBK Engineering LLC, professional engineering services for 2025 fall new sidewalk program, not to exceed $99,601.50 plus 10% contingency: approved (roll call: all recorded yes). - Approval of bills — Warrant No. 8808, $1,843,128.55: approved (roll call: all recorded yes).

Why this matters

The council’s formal objection to DuPage County’s proposed video‑gaming zoning changes signals a coordinated municipal response to county‑level land‑use decisions that could alter where gaming terminals may operate and how local zoning categories are interpreted. The approvals for pavement treatment, vehicles, and sidewalk engineering set the city’s near‑term maintenance and capital work priorities, while the zoning and liquor license items affect future land use and business operations in Wheaton.

Sources and evidence

Transcript excerpts: the city manager introduced the county zoning petition and staff recommendation (transcript 557.965–589.765). A council member urged copying county board representatives and cited local zoning examples (transcript 615.895–676.915). The GSB‑88 item and budget reference appear in the city manager’s remarks (transcript 371.37–401.88998). The sidewalk program description and contract recommendation appear in staff remarks (transcript 1096.835–1147.82). The First Assembly of God special‑use discussion and public comment by Jane Beatty are at 232.06–276.565 and 294.875–313.35. Liquor items and applicants’ remarks appear at 784.815–805.08997 and 869.13–882.805.