Dear Village President Scaman and Village Trustees,
My name is Christopher Hahs. My wife and I are raising our three OPRF High School daughters in our home at 609 Wenonah Avenue. We have taught our daughters to be thoughtful, engaging community members and leaders. As a parent I want to exemplify these teachings by writing today to ask that you please vote in favor of Trustee Brian Straw’s proposal to lower Oak Park RUSH hospital’s automatic height limit from 125 feet down to a community-needed 60 feet.
I want to underscore my appreciation for OP RUSH Hospital. The incredible staff at the hospital saved my wife from acute appendicitis while I was traveling for work. I am aware of many occasions over our decade living in our home that the hospital staff have helped our neighbors and friends. While OP RUSH is a true asset to Oak Park and our immediate community, RUSH should not automatically get preference over us voting neighborhood residents. We expect village trustees to take a balanced approach to RUSH development.
We have witnessed the hospital’s paved parking lot replace several homes on Wenonah Avenue. We have had to engage with former OP RUSH administrators whom our justice system has proven completely untrustworthy. OP RUSH administrators have not established a good rapport with me or my community.
Allowing a 125-foot building to be automatically approved for construction adjacent to our homes without neighborhood input would signal complete disregard for me, my friends, and my neighbors by the village trustees. Lowering the approved limit to 60 feet is a fair change that matches the height of the OP RUSH building on Wisconsin and Maple.
Trustee Straw’s proposal will not block the hospital from expanding. If OP RUSH adamantly demands building higher than 60 feet, hospital administrators should adhere to the existing zoning variance process to make their case in public. This gives me and my friends, who actually live here, a voice and ensures balanced growth that works for everyone.
Please support Trustee Straw’s resolution and help protect our residential neighborhood.
Christopher Hahs
Oak Park