While there may be some frustration that Forest Park can’t yet pass its updated zoning ordinance, we see so many plus signs in the continuing discussions that we are nothing but optimistic.

On Oct. 28, for the second time in a month, the village council voted to table a vote on what is a very significant and way overdue overhaul to the village’s convoluted residential zoning. Two commissioners, Jessica Voogd and Michelle Melin-Rogovin, still have substantial questions they need answers to before they commit. Good for them.

The two areas where they seek further clarity are stormwater management and limits on building density. Read stormwater management as climate change and we say thanks for paying attention in this river town. There is more water coming down and at more intense levels than ever before. The village’s zoning needs to be proactive at building in new methods of keeping that water out of our basements. In a village with lousy sewers, it is even more essential.

Density is also a vital topic. We say that with our long view that adding density is not automatically a bad thing. Landlocked Forest Park can use more housing. But it must be thoughtful and creative. The key driver of the zoning overhaul is to finally come to terms with the hundreds of odd side buildings and back-of-the-lot coach houses that were built in town way back when. Those small and more affordable dwellings are really part of Forest Park’s appeal and strength. While other places stress out about affordability, Forest Park, sort of by accident, has a layer of affordable housing, which is great. But it needs to be made legal, in a zoning sense, and so code enforcement can be evenly applied. A small coach house is wonderful, but only if it is well cared for.

Another positive aspect of the slowdown on this ordinance is the clarity it is bringing over transparency. This has never been Forest Park’s strong suit. There used to be a conscious effort to keep curious eyes out of government affairs. That’s why, years back, village council meetings were 20 minutes long. All the actual debate took place at the pre-meeting, which was couched as executive session material.

Now it is gratifying to watch an active Forest Park community poke and jab at failings in transparency. Why aren’t important commission meetings, such as the three public hearings on the zoning overhaul, streamed? Why aren’t full minutes of such meetings available? Good questions. Fair demands.

Listening to Village Administrator Rachell Entler’s response, we are hopeful she is on the side of transparency and needs to find the funds for the necessary tech to stream, and staff to make transparency real. 

Let’s keep a focus on transparency. Let’s refine this important zoning overhaul to address legitimate issues.

This is all good.