Wheeling board gives early approval to townhouse project

The Wheeling village board unanimously approved a preliminary plan for a new townhouse development at the Deerfield Moving & Storage site.

The DR Horton development would consist of 39 townhouses at 411 to 415 N. Wolf Road. Each unit would have a patio, a second-story balcony and a two-car garage. There also would be 16 guest parking stalls, including spots for people with disabilities.

Two sizes of townhouses would be constructed: one at 2,270 square feet and the other at 2,471 square feet.

"Once developed, the property will be approximately 36 percent open space compared to, essentially, 100 percent impervious surface in its current conditions," DR Horton land acquisitioner Derrick Hoffman said.

Board members had concerns about several issue, including garage size, which Trustee Ray Lang said was "bothersome."

"They're narrow at 16 to 17 feet wide. I saw there was an image of a large SUV and Lexus in one of the garages as an example, but you just can't get into those cars," Lang said.

Attorney Daniel Shapiro said the garages were discussion points during the planning commission meeting, but the village staff is satisfied with them.

Hoffman said residents in similar townhouses on the East Coast do utilize the two-car garages.

Other concerns board members and residents brought up were the size of patios and balconies. Wheeling resident Terry Steilen pointed out trustees did not have a clear indication what size the patios would be and said he was "embarrassed" and "disappointed" the commission approved "something that doesn't have definitive plans."

Hoffman then clarified the patios would be 10 feet by 12 feet and balconies would be 4 feet by 10 feet.

Development representatives will address the planning commission again on Aug. 24.