Hispanics United et al. V. Village of Addison
United States of America V. Village of Addison, Northern District of Illinois

Michael Lane Consent Decree

Camiros was asked by both parties involved in a fair housing lawsuit to seek a planning solution that could serve as a basis for a consent decree and avoid a courtroom dispute. Camiros' approach was to use a solution-seeking process that would broaden the ability for those in the adversarial circle to find a way each could avoid a major courtroom battle and apply its energies and resources to neighborhood improvements instead. Working as a neutral party, Camiros developed a series of alternative plans to improve the Michael Lane and Green Oaks neighborhoods. The basis for these plans was to focus on the improvement of dwelling units and other land uses, particularly parks and community centers, that would further stabilize the neighborhood. By using this planning approach, Camiros was able to find marginal land adjacent to the TIF area which could offer relief in terms of providing areas for new housing, a park and community facilities, all needed in order to improve the situation in the area. A complete parking plan was also developed to provide more well organized and better located parking so a higher parking ratio could be achieved without the loss of any dwelling units. The consent decree was resolved after months of negotiation and numerous revisions to the plan.