End Exclusionary Zoning

Exclusionary zoning excludes certain types of uses and residents in preference for low density residential use. This is accomplished by preventing the construction of any structure other than a single family home. Most of Oak Park, even the most dense, walkable and vibrant parts, are now zoned for single family homes only.

The end result is that it's almost impossible to add new housing in Oak Park. We can't build new single family homes, and there are very few areas where a new apartment building would be allowed. Even when new apartment buildings are allowed, parking, lot coverage, and set back rules can make a project uneconomical.

This drives up housing costs (rental and purchase), and drives out lower income neighbors. The elderly, finding themselves in homes too large and expensive to manage, have few affordable options in Oak Park, and frequently leave. All of this conspires to decrease the highly touted diversity of Oak Park. Exclusionary zoning puts our economic, racial and age diversity at significant risk.

This is why we are calling for an end to Exclusionary Zoning in Oak Park. We should return to more flexible zoning that allows neighborhoods to slowly grow and adapt, gradually adding more dense housing, but in incremental steps that don't adversely impact the character of our neighborhoods.