I am writing to express my concern over the rezoning proposal that has been presented in Forest Park. While I understand we need to adjust the code to align with current needs and uses, several concerns have not been adequately addressed. I also take issue with many of the rationales presented for this proposal. 

1) Eliminating setbacks and increasing permitted impermeable ground coverage will impact storm water drainage, but I have yet to see actual data quantifying the impact or explaining how we will mitigate it. Climate change is more apparent by the day. We must be thoughtful in how we permit land to be developed. 

2) Proponents of this plan claim that young families are not moving to Forest Park because we need more density. This is patently untrue. Many of us purchased as young professionals with the intention of then starting a family. While you may see purchasers who don’t have children, that doesn’t mean they won’t have children in town at a later date. On my block alone, there are at least four families who welcomed children after buying their house. 

Forest Park actually has a slightly higher percentage of population under 18 (25.3%) than Oak Park (23.2%), River Forest (24.2%), the state of Illinois (21.9%), and the United States in general (21.7%). I would argue that the data shows that we are attracting young families. 

If there are communities doing a better job of attracting young families, then I would be interested in what they are doing. I am inclined to believe it is not with increased density. 

Had I wanted to raise my children in the city, I would have stayed in Chicago. Instead, my husband and I chose the “big city access, small town charm” of Forest Park so that our children could have a yard and be able to walk to the library, school, parks, and local businesses. 

The real issue that causes families to leave Forest Park is the quality of the high school district. So far, we are betting on the new board and our fellow parents to improve Proviso by the time our children attend Proviso, but I know multiple families who left Forest Park because of the high school, and I cannot promise that we won’t make that decision as well when the time comes should schools not improve. I don’t know any families who left because they wanted the increased density being proposed. 

We can adjust the code without throwing away the positive aspects of our town. It isn’t “this plan or nothing.” I urge you to involve more voices to ensure we are thoughtful about how we develop and don’t simply rubber stamp a plan without considering broader consequences. 

Data from censusreporter.org 

MaryElizabeth Luitjohan