On Thursday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m., Preservation Oak Park will host a panel discussion at the Oak Park Public Library on new housing, development and planning in Oak Park.
Preservation Oak Park is a group that seeks to provide education and advocacy related to issues of historic preservation in the Oak Park area.
The panelists, who will discuss affordability, the “missing middle” in local housing stock and trends in 2025 and beyond in housing, will be:
· Emily A. Egan, director, Village of Oak Park Development Services
· Kendra Parzen, advocacy manager, Landmarks Illinois
· Jennifer Settle, senior associate, Opticos Design, Inc.
· Christopher Payne, partner at SGW Architecture and Design, who will lead the discussion.
Frank Lipo, executive director of the Oak Park River Forest History Museum and one of the founding members of Preservation Oak Park, said that the event is meant to foster a discussion on development, historic preservation and planning issues.
He said that the term “missing middle” has been heard a lot about housing initiatives in the area, but he thinks that people might not know exactly what that term means in the context of Oak Park. While some might believe historic preservation hinders development or wonder why certain projects are permitted, there is a larger context through which to view housing.
He noted that Oak Parkers have chosen to live here for a wide variety of reasons and that villagers work together on an impressive range of public and private community initiatives, causes and projects. Community goals often intersect and overlap and there is an ongoing need to find creative ways to approach opportunities and challenges related to economic development, community planning, preservation of community character, equitable access to affordable and specialized housing and other related issues.
The speakers will share their insights and expertise on subjects including new development, historic preservation, community character, affordable housing, zoning, the “missing middle,” and other related topics.
The event, open to the public, will take place on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. at the Veterans Room of Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St.