The Plan Commission will hear two zoning application requests at its special meeting on Wed., March 20 from the owners of the Shops of Downtown properties located on the southeast corner of Harlem Avenue and Lake Street. The applicant is proposing a public/private parking concept where a two-tiered parking strategy would be implemented. One tier would allow patrons who visit Shops of Downtown businesses to exit at no fee after receiving parking validation from one of the Shops of Downtown businesses. The second tier allows a user who wishes to patronize a business outside of the Shops of Downtown site with the opportunity to use the parking lot for a fee that would be charged upon exiting. These requests require a zoning ordinance text amendment and special use permit approval prior to implementation.   

The Historic Preservation Commission held a public hearing Thursday to consider a Certificate of Economic Hardship application to demolish the residence at 125 S. Lombard Ave. One member of the public spoke in support of the demolition. The Commission previously denied the Certificate of Appropriateness for this property on the grounds that the house is a contributing resource within the Ridgeland-Oak Park Historic District. After consideration of additional information, the commission voted 7-1 to approve the Certificate of Economic Hardship. The commission found that the applicant sufficiently demonstrated that repair of the property would be economically infeasible due to the extent of deterioration and the fact that it would cost more to renovate than the assumed value of the property. Any new construction proposed on the property will require advisory review by the Historic Preservation Commission.

In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Village is hosting its first-ever Oak Park Women in Leadership Symposium on Saturday, March 23 from 10 a.m. until noon at the Park District of Oak Park's Community Recreation Center. The event will bring together a distinguished panel of community leaders to celebrate diverse voices and provide inspiring insights to attendees and one another. The event is free, but space is limited. Anyone interested in attending is asked to register in advance – click here to register. More information about the event, including bios for each of the panelists, can be found at www.oak-park.us/opwls.

Early voting continues all weekend at Village Hall for the March 19 Presidential Primary Election. Voters can cast a ballot from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday. Note that Village Hall is not a polling place on Election Day next Tuesday. Click here to search for election day polling sites. More information about early voting in Oak Park is posted on the Village website - click here to view.

With the March 19 Presidential Primary Election drawing near, residents will soon be able to recycle political yard signs through a special collection. Corrugated plastic signs and aluminum frames can be dropped off for recycling between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays from March 19 through April 2 in the first-floor lobby at the Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd. The corrugated plastic and aluminum frames used in yard signs are not eligible for recycling through the Village’s residential recycling program, so residents are asked to refrain from disposing the signs in their recycling carts and instead use the drop-off system at Public Works. The service will be offered again in November following the general election. For more information, contact 708.358.5700 or publicworks@oak-park.us.

Parking & Mobility Services Manager Sean Keane from the Development Services Department recently participated in a panel discussion at the 2024 Parking Industry Expo in Schaumburg. Sean joined other respected parking professionals from municipal parking departments from Tallahassee, Fla., Sarasota, Fla. and Beaverton, Ore. to discuss the various challenges, opportunities and innovations that face today’s municipal parking programs. 

Osvaldo Robles rejoined the organization this week in his new role as a Community Service Officer within the Police Department. Osvaldo previously served as the Adjudication Intern until earlier this year. He recently graduated from University of Illinois Chicago.

The Village’s Facility Review Committee discussed the recommended design scheme for renovating Village Hall at its meeting this Wednesday. Click here for a video recording of the meeting. Plans are in place for the committee to bring its recommendation to the Village Board at a special meeting on April 9. More information about the Facility Review Committee is on the Village website – click here to view. 

The Police Department is joining law enforcement agencies across the state in stepping up traffic enforcement around St. Patrick’s Day. In addition to looking for alcohol- and drug-impaired drivers, the Police Department is also focusing on seat-belt enforcement, particularly at night when seat-belt usage rates are lowest. Speeding, distracted driving and other traffic laws also will be strictly enforced. More information is posted on the Village website – click here to view.

With multiple confirmed measles cases in nearby Chicago in recent weeks, Oak Park health officials are closely monitoring the spread of this contagious respiratory disease, and keeping in communication with city, county and state and public health representatives. To date, there are no confirmed cases in Oak Park. Public health officials advise the best way to protect loved ones, neighbors and vulnerable populations is to be up to date on vaccinations. Most Americans receive the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine as a child and are not at risk. The concern is for those that are unvaccinated, as 90% of unvaccinated individuals will likely contract measles if exposed to it. More information is available in a Community Public Health Alert posted on the Village website at www.oak-park.us/measlesalert.

Long-time Elmwood Park restaurant Café Cubano is moving from its current North Avenue location to 113 N. Oak Park Ave. in the Hemingway Business District. Known for its authentic Cuban food, Café Cubano will join more than two dozen restaurants and coffee shops located in the Hemingway District. The new restaurant is expected to open in late spring or early summer. The Fernandez family, which owns the restaurant, is currently applying for an Oak Park liquor license.

Join the Oak Park Arts District for its annual WOW! Women Owned Works event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday, March 16. The event offers an opportunity for the community to celebrate and support the unique, women-owned businesses flourishing in the Arts District. Look for bright yellow decorations inside and outside of participating businesses along with special activities, crafts and a variety of sales and promotions. More information is available on the Arts District’s website – click here to view.

Focus Development nearing completion – The final punchlist items are being addressed throughout the Focus Development building at the southwest corner of Marion Street and Pleasant Street. Metal panels are also being installed on the south and west elevations of the property.

Madison Street improvements – The contractor installed approximately 500 linear feet of water main along Madison Street in the past week. Water main work will continue next week and include installation of new water services. Two-way traffic on Madison will be maintained throughout construction.

Forest & Ontario update – The electric service will be installed under the alley south of Austin Gardens Park early next week. Once installation is complete, the new circuit will be lit and the old poles will be removed. Residents should exercise caution while crews are working. Construction activity in the area will pause after completion of the electric work and then resume in the spring when asphalt plants reopen.