Dear Supporters, 

There is a large change possibly coming to our neighborhood and some of us have some serious concerns.  ResCorp is proposing to tear down the current two story, 12 unit apartment building located at 7 Van Buren (south building on Van Buren & Austin).  ResCorp wants to build a 7!!! Story apartment building.  It will be 44 units total - 5 studios, 35 one bedrooms and 4 two bedroom units.  We need your support in OPPOSING this high rise development as they are proposing it being built. We have several concerns (too many to list) among them are: parking, building size & density, safety, impact on historical structures and neighborhood among others.  

1. The plan only allows parking for 18 cars  - that means only 40% of the units will have a designated parking spot for 1 car.  This is below the required amount of parking per the Village of Oak Park building regulations.  This proposal needs to allow for more parking as part of the structure so that our residential streets are not completely overwhelmed by these additional vehicles.  There is no local grocery store, no local pharmacy, Dr. offices,etc.  that especially in winter may require a vehicle.

2.  The Size - TOO TALL & TOO CLOSE!!!!  Apartment/condo units and homes on the 400 block of S. Austin, 700 and 800 S. Humphrey blocks are all at most 3 stories tall.  This proposed building will be 7 stories tall - completely out of character of the neighborhood and would overshadow the nearby area.   This building will be over 2 times the height of ANY current building in the neighborhood - completely disproportionate and the current zoning only allows for a 4 story building. This building as proposed is 2-3 stories over the building codes allow! This building will go nearly from lot line to lot line, north to south - additionally this does not meet current zoning on easement and some of the building structure is actually over the public sidewalk. Again this goes against village code!

3.  Safety - this is in an area with a great deal of traffic and we are concerned the way this building is constructed that it will only add to the traffic issues and safety concerns to pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicles in the area.  No traffic studies have been done to ensure the safety of any families moving into the building or the families currently in the area to see if more stop signs, speed bumps or pedestrian crossings would be advised.

4.  The building directly to the south is a locally recognized and designated historic landmark.  The current development plan calls for a building 2 times the height of this historic building vastly overshadowing it physically and visually.  No information has been provided as to what measures will be taken to ensure the structural safety of this land-marked building since they are building so close to it.  We know that if built the north part of this building (which is half of the building) will lose almost all of its natural daylight with the imposing structure next door built to seven stories tall - this severely disrupts those immediate neighbors' quality of housing and life.   

We have always been a very diverse neighborhood that welcomes green, energy efficient, affordable housing units.  However, we are not okay with the lack of parking provided, the sheer overwhelming size of the building and the negative impact that it will have on the neighborhood.  How can you help?    Please sign this petition!!!!!

Also

Contact the Trustees at the Village of Oak Park 708-358-5784 or the Planning Commission 708-358-5420 to express your displeasure. E-mails: board@oak-park.us and planning@oak-park.us