DuPage hearing officer closes record on Wheaton lot-split variance; decision set for June 4

DuPage County Zoning Hearing Officer Bob Carthal closed the record March 21 on petition 25016 McMaster, a request to divide a 0.56-acre R-4 single-family lot in Wheaton into two parcels and to vary the ordinance lot-width requirement from 75 feet to 50 feet. He said he will prepare a recommendation on June 4 and forward it to the county development committee and the DuPage County Board for final action.

The petitioner, represented by Tracy Casson, asked for the variance so contract purchaser Glenn McMaster can split an existing 100-foot-wide lot into two 50-foot parcels, each about 242.5 feet deep. Casson said the resulting lots would be about 12,125 square feet each, above the district minimum "of 10,000," and that the only required change would be the lot-width variance from 75 to 50 feet. McMaster testified he intends to build two new homes and said, "we're making an effort to put this into the two lots with the intent to build two homes on the property."

Engineer and surveyor Rich Steinbrucker presented a survey and site plan and described lot geometry and setbacks. He told the hearing the existing house "literally sits less than a half a foot and a half from the North property line" and noted the division would meet setback and floor-area requirements as shown on the illustrative plans. Steinbrucker said many lots on the nearby west side of Neville Avenue already are 50-foot parcels, and that several lots in the area were originally recorded as 100-foot lots and later divided.

Neighbors questioned compatibility with the subdivision and potential impacts. A resident who said he lives next door opposed the petition, arguing the split "degrades the neighborhood." Another neighbor said the proposal would "pack us in like sardines." Several speakers asked about stormwater and driveway changes; the hearing officer directed those questions to the township, the county stormwater department and the building-permit process, noting that new construction will have to meet DuPage County stormwater requirements.

The hearing officer closed evidence in the case after receiving survey, site and photo exhibits. He said he had no objections filed by county departments or notified municipalities and will issue his written recommendation on June 4. If he recommends approval, the matter is slated for the DuPage County development committee on June 17 and the county board on June 24 for final action.