Oak Park’s village board voted to approve a village zoning map at its meeting Tuesday, May 20, but several trustees spoke to their desire to see fundamental changes made to the village’s zoning rules.
The board approved the official zoning map as is required by Illinois state law. The map passed the board by a vote of 5 to 2, with trustees Cory Wesley and Brian Straw voting against the map as a declaration of their interest in progressive residential zoning reform targeting an increase in “missing middle housing” for Oak Park.
“Missing middle” housing is defined as medium-density housing “that provides diverse housing options along the spectrum of affordability, which includes duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes and bungalows,” according to the National Lauge of Cities. In an Oak Park context, village leaders have identified a lack of multi-bedroom condos and other affordable housing types suitable for families as a gap in the village’s housing stock.
Wesley said that Oak Park’s zoning code contradicts the village’s progressive values. While Oak Park touts its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, it’s stood by a zoning code that’s enforced racial and economic segregation by keeping large swathes of the village zoned only for single family residence construction, Wesley said.
“Ultimately this is me refusing to vote for a zoning map that is racist,” he said. “We have done a lot of things to pursue those goals. What we have not done yet and hope we do soon is taken the time and spent the effort to unwind the racism that is built into the current statute so a zoning code that we have going forward can be without the segregation built-in, both economic and race-based.”
Straw seconded Wesley’s criticisms of the code before matching his “no” vote.
“I do think we have enough information to eliminate exclusionary zoning, allow the construction of two flats, three flats and four flats across oak park and take further steps,” he said. “We do not need to pause consideration of eliminating exclusionary zoning before we study those other things.”
Trustee Jenna Leving Jacobson said she agreed with Wesley and Straws appraisal of Oak Park’s single-family zoning and , but she voted to approve the map.
“I’m interested in approaching it more comprehensively in a broader housing plan,” she said. “To look at both affordability and integration, in order to increase affordability and opportunities for improving integration in our neighborhoods.”
Village President Vicki Scaman said the village request proposals from consultants on what residential zoning reform could look like in Oak Park later this year.
“What I’m hearing tonight is when that comes forward to us in the (Requests for Proposals) that we will be ready to act,” she said. “I just think that we will be a pretty amazing group to host the conversation and the sense of urgency is heard.”
Municipalities across the country have debated the idea of ditching single family residential zoning in efforts to address affordability and density issues. Evanston, Oak Park’s peer in many ways, is considering eliminating single-family residential zoning as the city develops a new comprehensive plan and zoning code.
Illinois House Bill 4795 was introduced last year and would’ve banned single-family zoning in cities with populations larger than 100,000. The bill did not make it to a vote.
Last July, the board oversaw a study session covering possible zoning reform, where the board weighed proposals that would eliminate or reduce the number of single-family residential zones in Oak Park.
In an interview with Wednesday Journal after the vote, Wesley said that he expects the board to discuss the topic again soon after the village finds a consultant.
While approving the map was part of a procedural process to comply with state law, it was important for him to take this opportunity to speak to his perspective.
“For me, it’s basically approving racism,” he said. “When we drop a new zoning map that is not drawn from the legacy of racism, then I’ll vote ‘yes.’”
