I do not oppose this zoning policy; I oppose the village’s inability to execute it. Recent history suggests our leaders cannot manage even simple mandates without mucking them up. Before they attempt to redefine our community, they must prove they can complete the projects already on their plate. We need a holistic vision for our future. The village hides behind consulting reports to fix yesterday’s errors while ignoring tomorrow’s growth.
While I understand the values driving zoning policy changes, leadership does not communicate that it understands the practical considerations. A denser population demands a broader vision for our schools, traffic patterns, business districts, and emergency services. We cannot grow our numbers without first reinforcing the infrastructure that supports them.
Beyond this single project, village leadership consistently fails to plan or execute in a manner that demonstrates strategic vision. We still see no traction on the police station — the top issue of the last election — nor have we addressed the staffing shortages in our fire and police departments. Because the village cannot build consensus on improvements for our schools and parks, this “progressive” agenda feels like a hollow shell without an engine to drive it.
Danny Urbina-McCarthy
Oak Park