Jewel Site Developer Needs Permission for 20 Feet, Can't Reach Neighbor

Developers of the old Jewel property in Wheaton will have to rework the entry points of a proposed medical office building after a neighbor has not responded to an easement proposal for an access point on Willow Avenue. 

Mokena-based developer Location Finders International is proposing to build a three-story, 40,000-square-foot medical office building at the old Jewel site, 114 E. Willow Ave. that will be operated by DuPage Medical Group. 

In the last stages of the city's approval process, the developer's only speed bump is the neighbor's lack of communication regarding a 15- to 20-foot piece of land on Cross Street near Willow Avenue.

The City of Wheaton in the 1960s vacated the portion of Cross Street that connects Willow Avenue and Illinois Street and gave half of the property to the owners of 211 E. Willow Ave. and the other half to the former Jewel property owners.

The developers need the Willow Avenue property owner’s permission to build on the small piece of the property to ensure the access drive aligns with Cross Street.

Marty Burke, a partner with Location Finders International, told Council members and staff Monday that the property owner and no one at the building’s management company uses email, the internet or computers in general.

He said developers received an initial letter saying the owner was not interested in their proposal, but he now has “reason to believe” they may be interested in some level of commitment to the developer.

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While hopeful for communication, Burke said if the issue became a condition of the development the project probably wouldn’t start.

The proposed piece of the development would close off Cross Street—which is technically an alley—and include green space between the two properties and an access drive at the intersection of Willow Avenue and Cross Street.

Jim Kozik, director of economic development for the City of Wheaton said staff had concern about the alignment of the access drive and Cross Street for safety reasons.

Kozik and City Manager Don Rose said the city has had similar issues with the property owner and management at 211 E. Willow Ave. in the past.

Councilman Evelyn Pacino-Sanguinetti said if the city chose to halt the project at this point, anyone in the future could run into the same problem.

“I’d really like to see this development go forward—that is an eyesore there,” she said.

“We have our commitment but we do need to move ahead. We are planning on starting with a building permit pretty quickly," Burke said.

Burke, Council members and staff discussed alternatives for the space and for entry points to the development and will revisit the proposal at the April 1 City Council meeting.

Related:

• Developer Seeks City Approval for Former Jewel Property Plan