In a 6-1 vote Thursday night, Oak Park’s Village Board of Trustees approved the transportation commission’s unanimous recommendation to expand overnight, on-street parking in zones Y1 and Y2.
The board’s decision expands access to overnight parking in those zones for existing permit holders only. The number of permits the village issues will not increase.
Zone Y1 includes the east side of the 100 block of North Oak Park Avenue, the south side of the 700 block of Ontario Street, the north side of the 700 block of Erie Street, and the east side of the 300 block of North Oak Park Avenue. Zone Y2 includes both the south and north side of the 1000 block of Pleasant Street.
Village staff received complaints from existing permit holders parking in these zones. Those residents said it was difficult to find parking spaces in a “reasonable” walking distance from their homes, according to village officials. Expanding parking in these zones allows for 36 more spaces in zone Y1 and 17 more in zone Y2.
Trustee Lucia Robinson was the sole vote against the recommendation. She said she doesn’t think just expanding the parking map is the answer and would prefer to configure it differently to reflect resident’s needs. This would include reducing parking in areas where there are no permit holders or less demand, not just expanding other areas, she said.
Staff members are constantly reassessing parking zones and looking for areas of improvement, said Sean Keane, parking and mobility services manager. Robinson said she’d also like to examine the cost of the overnight parking permits.
Trustee Cory Wesley, however, voted in favor of expanding parking access in these zones.
“I don’t care if we let people park anywhere and everywhere,” he said. “Wherever we don’t put bike lanes, let everybody park.”
Development Services Director Emily Egan pointed out one of the board’s goals is to create vibrant, diverse, connected neighborhoods. By expanding overnight parking zones, the board is improving access for residents who do not have other options, according to village officials. Staff members are also working to balance parking demand with infrastructure improvements like bike lanes, Egan said.
The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus also suggested the board consider eliminating the overnight parking ban, especially in high-demand areas, as part of its housing study. Robinson said she opposed that idea, too.
