More than 100 Oak Park residents packed the Community Recreation Center on Monday, Sept. 14, to challenge the Shape Oak Park zoning proposal, filling the room past capacity and spilling into the lobby.

Village President Vicki Scaman and Jake Seid, a founding principal of consulting firm Sightline Planning, presented the plan to a crowd that at times met speakers with boos and screams, the Trapeze reported. One attendee called the undersized venue "tone deaf," according to the Wednesday Journal.

Shape Oak Park would allow up to four-unit housing in all residential districts, where five of eight currently permit only single-family homes. Lots of 5,000 square feet or more near major transit stations or key corridors could hold up to six units, provided they qualify as affordable housing. All new construction would be required to stay at "house scale."

A YouTube video uploaded Saturday, Sept. 12, by residents claimed Frank Lloyd Wright homes and other Oak Park landmarks would be demolished under the plan. The video had drawn 137,000 views in six days, according to the Trapeze. The plan does not propose forced demolition of any homes.

Carollina Song, who owns one of the Wright homes shown in the video, pushed back on its claims at the Sept. 14 meeting. "Imagine how I felt when I watched that misleading, misinformation, propaganda, and learned that apparently my house is due to be demolished imminently," Song told the Wednesday Journal. She called the video a "pack of lies" in the Trapeze and said she has no plans to sell. None of the homes featured are currently for sale, the Wednesday Journal reported.

Song said she supports the zoning changes, calling them "due" and "reasonable." Homes inside Oak Park's historic districts require additional approval from the Historic Preservation Commission before any demolition.

Resident Jack Schneider told the Trapeze the board is pushing the proposal on the community against residents' wishes. Resident Kevin Kell said at the meeting he wants the village to slow down and identify the real purpose before moving forward, the Wednesday Journal reported.

Trustees acknowledged the backlash. Trustee Jenna Leving Jacobson said she needs to sit with the feedback and find better ways to communicate with the community. Trustee Derek Eder said the board has been listening for months and will continue to do so. Scaman said she is working to "potentially address" concerns "through future programs."

The village board voted unanimously on Tuesday, Sept. 15, to create an ad hoc Housing Advisory Task Force to recommend next steps on the proposal, according to the Wednesday Journal. Nine of the task force's members had been chosen as of Sept. 22.

Development Services Director Craig Failor told the Wednesday Journal the process aims to create missing middle affordable housing but acknowledged the outcome is uncertain.

Plan Commission public hearings are scheduled to begin in October, with the first set for Oct. 1 at the Oak Park and River Forest High School auditorium at 6 p.m. The Village currently lists a late-October board vote, although the final timing could change as the proposal moves through the Plan Commission. A virtual Shape Oak Park workshop was scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 24, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. as the last public input opportunity before the Plan Commission meets.