Oak Park currently has two vacant church buildings which sit in residential neighborhoods. But with church attendance declining across America, the prospect that the village will face additional empty churches in the years ahead led village officials to attempt to get in front of the issue with a zoning change which would allow additional uses of such spaces. But at a July 31 village board meeting, being proactive on one topic crashed directly into Oak Park’s most enduring challenge. Parking.Churches, which typically draw crowds during only limited hours of the week, are not bound by existing off-street parking requirements. But a church building potentially converted into a fitness studio, music venue or school, possible uses being considered by the village, would need to provide some amount of parking or be granted a waiver.
Following backlash from residents, Oak Park municipal leaders are taking a step back from plans to demolish the community’s historic Village Hall building. Instead, the village will pursue a previously rejected plan to renovate the existing building, which also hosts Oak Park’s police office. The Village Hall building is prized by many residents in architecturally savvy Oak Park for its .
Oak Park officials step back from plans to demolish Village Hall chicagotribune.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from chicagotribune.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Race in 7th District primary is gathering contenders vs Davis oakpark.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from oakpark.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The Oak Park village board may eliminate the 3% cap that has served as the threshold by which the village bases its annual property tax levy extension.