Newton’s Third Law of Physics states that every force is met with an equal and opposite force. Adopting a significant zoning change is a major change for any community to absorb. All significant change generates some resistance. The Oak Park Village Board can reduce that resistance by slowing the process down and giving the public confidence that its input will genuinely be considered.
Experts in public-sector change management emphasize that building public trust is essential to successful change. That trust is built as much through the process as through the policy itself. [1]
Two trustees, seeing a moral imperative for immediate action, urged that this proposal be adopted by the end of the year. While that moral imperative may motivate people who agree, it will cause people who do not see themselves as racist to become defensive and less receptive to the proposal. Heavy moral persuasion makes it harder to have an honest discussion about tradeoffs and concerns — or to take seriously the consultant’s other recommendations, such as rolling it out as a pilot.
With an aggressive timeline, people will perceive that the Plan Commission process is a mere formality rather than a meaningful opportunity for input into how this policy is shaped.
The board could tone down resistance and gain support by acknowledging residents’ concerns, recognizing that every policy involves tradeoffs, and allowing public input to meaningfully shape the proposal. Demonstrating the humility to acknowledge that reasonable people can view this issue differently would go a long way toward building public trust.
Since 2022, when the zoning code was amended to allow ADUs, only 12 have been built. The consultant’s report, the stakeholder input and the public feedback have consistently said this will not create affordable housing. New construction is expensive. Change will not happen overnight.
I urge the board to use every effort to build public confidence so that whatever policy is adopted rests on a stronger foundation of public trust.
[1] Outcomes, Process, and Trust of Civil Servants, Gregg G. Van Ryzin, Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, Volume 21, Issue 4, October 201, https://doi.org/10.1093/jopart/muq092
Simone Boutet
Municipal law attorney
Former village trustee