Many Wheaton Residents Oppose Drug Treatment Center Plans

WHEATON, IL — A number of Wheaton residents are opposed to potential plans for a drug treatment center that would provide both inpatient and outpatient care. The facility was proposed by Haymarket Center, which is based in Chicago, and would be built at 140 E. Loop St., near Danada Forest Preserve.

In November, Haymarket Center petitioned Wheaton City Council to amend the zoning ordinance for that zoning district, C-5, which includes Danada Square, to allow a special use permit for "residential (in-patient) treatment facilities." Haymarket simultaneously requested a subsequent special use permit to build its 16-bed treatment center.

The city zoning and planning commission held a public hearing for this request on Nov. 14. after receiving public protest and "emails of opposition," the commission continued the public hearing until Dec. 12.

In their initial emails, residents raised concerns about how the proposed drug treatment center would affect EMS calls, traffic, property values, and public safety in the area.

Many of those in opposition to the proposed treatment center brought up its immediate proximity to KinderCare, which provides early childhood education next door. Dan and Jeanne Wasser, who have lived in Wheaton for 24 years, emailed the zoning commission with concerns, including that people seeking treatment would be "entering our streets and school areas, our shops and possibly even our homes" if permitted to leave.

Andreas Skoubis, who works in health care, said in his email to village officials that he opposed amending the zoning ordinance to include a residential treatment facility. Skoubis wrote that he and his wife are "proponents for helping those with drug addiction." He went on to mention the potential impact on property taxes and the fact that the proposed facility is close to several areas "children of our neighborhood frequent."

Skoubis added that he thought an "outpatient addiction medicine facility," would be "much more appropriate for the neighborhood in which we live and raise our children."

The issue of impact on taxes and property value came up frequently in feedback from residents. Bill Burke, who owns and operates a consulting company and an office condo property, wrote the city zoning and planning commission to stress that "a facility of this type will hurt home sales and business condominium sales in the area."

After receiving initial public input, staff made a recommendation stating that if the board deems it appropriate to amend the text for the C-5 zoning ordinance to include residential treatment facilities that staff would approve such an amendment with the following definition of a residential treatment facility: "A healthcare facility providing therapy for substance use located in a free-standing building," according to a correspondence sent by staff planner Tracy L. Jones to Chairman Scott Weller and planning and zoning board members.

Jones added that the staff recommended the minimum lot size requirement for such a facility be 2.5 acres.

The hearing will be once again continued until Jan. 9 at 7 p.m.

Haymarket Center opened in 1975 and serves more than 18,000 "men, women, and children" annually by offering "comprehensive behavioral health solutions," according to its website.

>>Image via GoogleMaps Streetview