Wheaton authorizes eminent-domain steps to acquire two Streams subdivision parcels

The Wheaton City Council voted Jan. 20 to authorize acquisition of two parcels in the Streams Subdivision for public purposes, approving ordinances that permit acquisition through negotiation or, if negotiations fail, by eminent domain.

Ordinance O-2026-04 covers an 8.373-acre East Lake parcel (P.I.N. 05-19-409-043). City Manager Michael Dzugan told the council that the City Attorney's memorandum requested authorization to proceed with eminent domain and that staff had been unable to identify the owners, "making eminent domain the only viable option" to secure the property needed to convert the bodies of water back into a channel. City Attorney Dawn Didier said she hopes to finalize property ownership in 2026.

Ordinance O-2026-05 authorizes acquisition of a separate Alpine Century parcel (.263 acres, P.I.N. 05-19-400-012). Both ordinances were moved and seconded and passed by unanimous roll-call votes; no council member recorded a nay or abstention.

Council members did not record public testimony on these items during the meeting. The ordinances provide staff legal authorization to pursue acquisition and, if necessary, eminent domain procedures; the transcript does not include a timetable for filing or additional notifications to affected property owners beyond City Attorney planning to resolve ownership issues in 2026.

The council recorded these items as related steps to the City's long-term objective for the Streams Subdivision water management and channel conversion project.