I am writing to share my concerns about the village board’s plan to eliminate single-family zoning across Oak Park, and to add my voice to those asking for a binding referendum before any final decision.
This isn’t a small technical fix. It would reshape density, traffic, parking, and neighborhood character village-wide, all at once, with no pilot phase. A change this significant deserves direct resident input.
A few questions I hope the board will address publicly before moving forward: Will this actually produce more affordable housing, given that duplexes and small apartment buildings are often less profitable for developers than luxury units? Oak Park is already one of the densest communities in Illinois — has the added strain on infrastructure and traffic been studied? What happens to neighbors’ ability to weigh in on projects once developers are simply following as-of-right rules?
I would also ask the board to consider our current health-care capacity. West Suburban Medical Center’s emergency room has been closed since late March, and residents needing urgent care are already traveling farther for it. Adding meaningful new density before that gap is resolved seems like something the board should address directly, not overlook.
I share the goals of affordability and inclusion behind this proposal. I just don’t think we have shown that eliminating single-family zoning, applied all at once and without a public vote, is the way to get there. I’d welcome a referendum so residents can weigh in directly on a decision that will shape this village for decades.
Carl Bailey
Oak Park