By a 6-2 vote, the Oak Park Plan Commission last week supported the proposal to convert the derelict Comcast building on Madison Street into affordable housing. It was the right decision, and it followed a thorough and legitimate vetting process. This is an example of how Oak Park’s governing process is supposed to work. We’re confident that the village board chosen in April will affirm the plan commission recommendation.
This is a solid project backed by credible nonprofits with strong local ties. Oak Park has a proud history of support for affordable and supportive housing. This project will add to that tradition.
Opponents of the project, and they are largely immediate neighbors of it, have legitimate questions about parking and the required retail. Beyond those issues, we believe they overreacted badly.
