Oak Park residents have been asked to consider a significant change to our zoning that could fundamentally alter the character of our neighborhoods. Yet when residents ask some very basic questions about the proposal, too often the answer is: “We don’t know yet.”
Will the new housing actually be affordable? What will be the impact on our property taxes? What will happen to the value of the homes that current residents have worked hard to maintain? How will overnight parking changes affect our neighborhoods, street cleaning and snow removal? And what will the increased density mean for our infrastructure?
These aren’t minor details. They are important questions that should be answered before a major zoning change moves forward.
Even more concerning is the timing of the feasibility study. The study is being conducted now — after the Opticos proposal has already been developed and sent to the Plan Commission. Shouldn’t a feasibility study help determine whether a proposal makes sense before the proposal is advanced?
There is another important piece of this process. On a 5–1 vote, the village board decided not to place the proposed zoning changes on the November election ballot, meaning Oak Park residents will not have the opportunity to vote directly on this important issue.
So residents are being asked to consider a major change to our community while many important questions remain unanswered — and we won’t have a direct vote on the proposal.
Residents deserve both the information and the opportunity to be heard before such a fundamental change is made.
Would you buy a house without knowing whether you could afford the mortgage? Would you buy a car without knowing whether it runs? Most of us wouldn’t buy much of anything without knowing whether it works.
Oak Park should not have to take that kind of chance with its zoning.
Taking additional time to fully evaluate the proposal is not a barrier to progress — it is part of responsible planning. Let’s get the answers, let residents be heard, and then decide whether this is the right direction for Oak Park.
Audrey Strode
Oak Park