As someone who has lived in Oak Park for more than 40 years and raised my family here, I care deeply about this community and its future. I am not opposed to expanding housing choices. I believe Oak Park should be an inclusive community that offers housing opportunities for people at every stage of life. But I also believe we have an obligation to ensure that the decisions we make actually accomplish what the village intends.
Since the Shape Oak Park proposal was first introduced, the financial feasibility study has been released, and its findings deserve serious consideration. The study found significant financial challenges across virtually every multi-unit development scenario examined. It also found that the rents necessary to make many of these projects financially viable would be far beyond what most people would consider affordable. In other words, simply changing the zoning does not necessarily create affordable housing. The study makes clear that additional financial incentives or other measures will be needed to make these developments feasible.
That brings us to the Ad Hoc Housing Task Force, which was established to examine precisely these kinds of solutions. Its work includes exploring financial incentives, changes to the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance, and other strategies to encourage genuinely attainable housing. We should allow that work to be completed and its recommendations considered before moving forward with permanent, village-wide zoning changes.
There are also broader questions about infrastructure, parking, public services, property taxes, and the impact on our neighborhoods that deserve careful consideration. These are not decisions that can easily be undone. Once these buildings are constructed, the character of our neighborhoods will change, potentially for generations.
And because residents have not had the opportunity to vote directly on this proposal, it is especially important that the process gives them the information, transparency and time necessary to understand the consequences.
Taking the time to evaluate the findings, address the financial challenges and consider the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Housing Task Force isn’t opposing progress. It’s responsible planning.
Audrey Strode
Oak Park