Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance Proposed in Oak Park, Illinois

"The Oak Park [Illinois] Village Board is reviewing several staff recommendations for an inclusionary zoning ordinance, which is aimed at bringing more affordable residential units to the village," reports Steve Schering.

The ordinance proposed by staff would apply inclusionary zoning to by-right developments and planned developments of 25 units or more. "The ordinance would require between 5 and 10 percent of the housing units in each development be set at affordability levels of 80 percent of average median income for rental and 120 percent average median income for owner-occupied," according to Schering.

"Staff also proposes the village allow developers to pay a fee in lieu of their creation of on-site affordable housing units, which is proposed to be set between $50,000 and $100,000 per unit," adds Schering.

The article includes more details on the ordinance and some of the political debate surrounding the proposal, with statements from a resident, a local planner, and an affordable housing developer.