City Approves Wheaton College Housing Expansion

Wheaton City Council Monday approved a d its student housing facilities, replace a playground at Wheaton Christian Grammar School and use the grammar school building for storage and special events.

The city's zoning board held a hearing on the request last week. They recommended approval of the request, City Manager Don Rose said Monday.

The planned unit development (PUD) allows extra storage and use of the former building at 530 E. Harrison Ave., the replacement of the grammar school playground, demolition of the residences at 821 and 825 N. Irving Ave, use of the residence at 739 N. Irving Ave. for student housing and use of the residences at 510 and 520 Sears Ln. for student housing, according to a city memo.

bought the former grammar school and the residences on Irving Avenue in 2009. The college is now proposing to reclassify the single-family residence at 739 Irving Ave. for student housing to accommodate no more than 10 students.

The residences at 510 and 520 Sears Ln. would also be reclassified for student housing buildings with a maximum of eight residents.

The council voted unanimously to approve the request.

Wheaton College officials said at the zoning board meeting they hope to begin work on the properties immediately, as students return soon for the 2012-13 school year.