Residents Voice Concerns About Loretto Convent Development in Wheaton

Some residents voiced their concerns about a developer's plan to build homes on the Loretto Convent property at 1600 Somerset Lane. The residents spoke at the Wheaton Planning and Zoning Board on Feb. 14.

The Pulte Home Company is planning on building 48 single family homes on the 15.7 acre property, according to documents submitted. Pulte Homes is submitting the plan on behalf on the the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary sisters, who own the property.

"This is the sister's decision... and it hasn't been an easy decision." Anne Delaney, a friend of the sisters said. Delaney said the main building is unused and there are several retired sisters who require care.

Some residents expressed their concerns about the impact of adding new homes.

"While we want the best for the sisters, that doesn't mean we shouldn't destroy a community," resident Joseph Mahady said. "We have traffic problems, we have excessive accidents in that area and obviously a lot of children." Mahady suggested that the convent property should be sold to the forest preservation district.

Wheaton Historic Commission Chairwoman Nancy Flannery brought up the historical value of the convent.

"Historic preservation has been pushed to the side because people see it as an either-or proposition," Flannery said. "We can incorporate historic preservation with progress. The truth is, it doesn't have to be an either-or situation."

Flannery said the project approval process was being rushed. The property in question includes a building designed by architect Jarvis Hunt.

"The House of Seven Gables is considered a great example of the high-quality residential design career of Chicago architect Jarvis Hunt," Bonnie McDonald, the president of Landmarks Illinois said in a letter to the Mayor of Wheaton. "It will be a great loss to Wheaton to lose this house or any of the other irreplaceable examples of Hunt’s residential architecture."

The Planning and Zoning Board is scheduled to discuss the matter again at their next meeting members at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at Wheaton City Hall, 303 W. Wesley St.

Map showing the Loretto Convent property, powered by Google

Image via Shutterstock

Note: A previous version of the article listed the incorrect name of Landmarks Illinois (10:01 p.m. 2/20/2017).