Honorable Plan Commission members:
The purpose of my letter is to indicate that I do not support the proposed rezoning and to urge the Plan Commission to not approve it.
I write this letter as an architect and former chair of the Plan Commission. As you know, I have recently served as chair of the Historic Preservation Commission.
Zoning regulations protect the environment, human health, and urban ecology by requiring setbacks, building-height restrictions, and lot coverage limits that guarantee access to light and fresh air. These regulations ensure that buildings are not built so close or high that they completely block out sun and trap stagnant air.
I recently visited both the Lake View and Wrigleyville areas of Chicago and found the result of multi-family zoning as an overlay to what was a single-family area. Many multi-story buildings overshadow smaller individual homes. The visual mix-mash is not very appealing or attractive. Many lots have little or any “backyard” space because the buildings extend to the rear garage area. There does not appear to be enough garage parking as the streets are almost completely taken up by parking all day. This situation would be completely unacceptable in my opinion.
I am sure your usual comprehensive review will conclude that eliminating single-family zoning requirements will not be in keeping with the goals of the village of Oak Park.
Louis Garapolo, FAIA Emeritus
Oak Park