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Resident urges board to prioritize affordable housing at Roosevelt Road site amid new EV charging plan
Summary
A resident told trustees that a lot at 6104 S. Roosevelt Road long earmarked for affordable housing appears set for a zoning board petition to host a private EV charging station; the speaker asked the board to oppose such a change if the ZBA approves it and to ensure affordable housing proceeds.
A resident, identified in the transcript as Mr. Donovan, addressed the board during non‑agenda public comments about a property at 6104 South Roosevelt Road that he said had been recommended by the village Affordable Housing Task Force for use in a mixed‑use affordable housing project. Donovan said a legal notice in a regional paper shows the current owner plans to petition the Zoning Board of Appeals to permit an EV charging station at the site.
Donovan said the property's prior building permit had been canceled and the owner had been delinquent on taxes and other obligations following purchase from the Cook County Land Bank. He asked trustees to investigate what happened to the previously proposed Community Builders affordable housing project for the site and urged the board to oppose a Zoning Board of Appeals approval that would allow a private EV charging station at the address. "Is there a need for a privately funded out‑of‑the‑way EV charging station on Roosevelt Road? I would say no," Donovan said; he contrasted the question with the ongoing need for affordable housing in Oak Park.
No action on the topic was taken at the meeting; Donovan's remarks were recorded as public comment for the board and will be part of the public record. He asked trustees to "refute" the zoning petition if the ZBA approves such an application and to prioritize affordable housing at the location.
Why it matters: Donovan raised questions about the status of a site previously recommended for affordable housing and asked trustees to weigh in if the Zoning Board of Appeals considers a change of use. Trustees did not take formal action during the meeting; further zoning proceedings would be handled by the Zoning Board of Appeals and any related village land‑use approvals.
