Shape Oak Park

Since Oak Park is a relatively built-out community, additional detached single-family housing would be extremely limited. However, the goal for this project is to create opportunities for more attached single-family housing that can be assimilated within and/or near single family areas, such as two, three and four units dwellings. These could be within the current lot sizes and/or within current buildings footprints. In addition, it is also a goal to seek opportunities for additional multiple family residential construction with our commercial zoning districts. All of which would be developed with an eye toward affordability. 

Hello,  That has not been a topic of discussion up to this point.  It does bring up some interesting thoughts on affordability. We appreciate hearing all types of ideas and suggestions. 

An update to the zoning code will primarily support incremental development that happens over several generations. There is not a lot of vacant land in Oak Park, however, there is significant opportunities along several key corridors, in undertulized parking areas, and as commercial or residential buildings age or get replaced over time. The zoning can also support renovations and preservation of existing buildings by allowing additional units to occur.  Zoning does not require that a developer build middle housing, but currently, the only option allowed in much of Oak Park is a single-unit residence.  

Zoning cannot require that a unit is owner-occupied or renter-occupied. However, zoning can regulate use (i.e. single-family residential, multi-unit residential, or commercial), form, and/or building type. Many Missing Middle Housing types do offer ownership options especially including duplexes, triplexes, and townhouses.

While Middle Housing is not a guarantee of affordability, it often produces units that are more attainable compared to newly constructed single-family homes. Missing Middle Housing typically reaches 80% to 120% Area Median Income. Middle housing types, such as duplexes, fourplexes, or small apartment buildings (typically between 5 and 19 units), can produce lower construction costs per unit, lower utility and maintenance costs, and lower sales or rental prices for several reasons. Primarily, land cost is divided among more, typically smaller units. Total infrastructure costs (e.g. driveways, utilities, foundations, roofs) can also be distributed across multiple units. Further, middle housing is generally two to three stories, which allows them to be built using the same light wood-frame construction methods as a single-family home. This type of construction is significantly lower in cost per square foot compared to the more complex construction required for many recently built mid-rise buildings that are greater than four stories. Buildings that require elevators, podium parking, and complex mechanical or structural systems are significantly more expensive and often necessitate the addition of many more units or extra stories to spread out those increased costs.  These costs are directly passed along to the buyer or renters.

Yes, the results of the survey will be available on this project page.

This is yet to be determined. We are too early in the process related to proposing modifications to the Zoning Ordinance. 

Hello,

Thanks for reaching out. The Village of Oak Park's Zoning Ordinance establishes design standards and guidelines for building construction throughout the Village. Our Zoning Ordinance mentions historic preservation districts asserting that we consider any adverse impacts related to the removal or disruption of historic, traditional or significant uses and structures. In addition, it says that any new structures, additions, and alterations should be sympathetic to and complement the scale and design of surrounding historic structures and locally significant buildings or those with architectural merit. Per our historic preservation regulations, any new construction proposed within an established Historic Preservation district only requires "advisory" review from the Historic Preservation Commission. Therefore, the Missing Middle Housing Zoning Update project, while land use focused, will promote construction or conversion in way that will honor our village's architectural character whether within or outside of our historic preservation districts.

Hello,

Our understanding is that there is no specific "Transit Act Amendment 4." The most recent significant legislation is the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) Act, passed in Illinois in late October 2025, which is a comprehensive transit reform package. It replaces the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) with the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA), changes governance structure, and includes new funding mechanisms and operational reforms to address funding shortfalls. If you have more information on this subject, please let us know. However, our consultants and staff will be reviewing current parking regulations and demands, in particular those abutting or near public transit nodes, in anticipation of supporting any recommended Missing Middle Housing initiatives.