I am writing to share my concerns regarding the proposed Shape Oak Park zoning changes. While my husband and I appreciate the village’s effort to address housing availability, affordability, and housing choice, and we understand the importance of planning thoughtfully for Oak Park’s future; we have several concerns with the existing proposal. We have been homeowners in Oak Park for more than 20 years and have had the privilege of raising our two children here. We chose Oak Park in large part because of the qualities that make it such a special community — including its neighborhoods, schools, walkability, and the sense that it is a safe and welcoming place to raise a family.
We respectfully ask the village board and Plan Commission to take the following approach:
-Do not adopt the proposed zoning changes in their current form.
-Allow the Housing Advisory Task Force to complete its work and incorporate its recommendations into the broader housing strategy.
-Use the new feasibility study as a starting point for determining what policies and financial tools are actually necessary to create attainable housing.
-Establish measurable affordability goals so the village can determine whether the policy is actually producing attainable housing.
-Study the possible impact of increased residential density on schools, traffic, parking, infrastructure, storm water, trees, public services, and neighborhood character.
-Evaluate potential pedestrian and child safety impacts, particularly around schools, parks, sidewalks, and other areas where increased traffic and construction activity could affect children and families.
We want to emphasize that we are not opposed to thoughtful housing development or to providing Oak Park residents with more housing choices. We are asking the village to make sure that the solution matches the problem. We want Oak Park to remain a place where people at different stages of life can find a home, while also preserving the neighborhood qualities that have made it such a desirable place to live and raise a family. We are asking the village to slow down, study the potential impacts, establish clear goals, and fully analyze the approach before making a significant and potentially irreversible change to residential zoning.
Sarah Roberts
Oak Park