We are longtime Oak Park residents joining others in opposition to the proposed construction of an 18-story residential building at Lake and Forest Ave. We believe the approval of this development would be seriously detrimental to our community in ways that would:
1) Create more traffic congestion even beyond the gridlock that frequently occurs on Lake Street and other thoroughfares close to the proposed project site;
2) Add to the need for sufficient parking at reasonable costs in support of nearby businesses and medical offices;
3) Increase residential purchase and rental costs in ways likely to undermine economic and racial diversity in the Oak Park housing market;
4) Put more pressure and remedial cost requirements on an aging infrastructure;
5) Increase the costly hiring of more police, fire and other village personnel to meet the needs of an expanded population;
6) Expose the village to potential blight and other negative consequences if the absorption rate of the proposed development and new housing alternatives, now or soon to be ready for occupancy, failed to meet their objectives; and
7) Negatively impact the environment of Austin Gardens and other surrounding areas by creating a wind tunnel effect and overarching shadows that would minimize sunlight to the detriment of mature plants and trees.
Sue and Bill Marshall
Oak Park