I have questions and concerns regarding the proposed zoning change. Interestingly, much of the community feedback is coming from retired residents and empty-nesters — yet this zoning change is intended, in part, to help make downsizing a viable option for this exact demographic.
There are currently many wonderful condominiums available within Oak Park that would allow people to downsize comfortably. A key question is how many residents lack the financial means to age in place versus those who do. For those who do have the financial resources, downsizing can offer a dual benefit: it frees up single-family homes for younger families with children, thereby helping to alleviate the broader housing shortage.
This perspective comes from personal experience. My father stubbornly resisted downsizing from our century-old home until he was physically unable to maintain it. Downsizing gave them far more comfort than the large, drafty home they had been living in, and it helped them save money. My father unfortunately only got to enjoy the condo for a couple of years before passing away. Moving earlier, before their home had lost value due to disrepair, could have saved them more money to afford better care during his final years.
Living on the northwest side of Oak Park, I have noticed there are many single-family homes originally built for growing families that are now occupied by empty-nesters. If residents have the means and wish to preserve these family homes for the next generation, it may be worth considering passing them on to younger families who need them now. I only wish my father had made the choice years earlier.
Mike Beyer
Oak Park
