Council and staff debated voluntary density bonuses and a possible mandatory inclusionary zoning requirement focused on rentals; staff will research legal and administrative options for a rental-focused mandatory program and return with proposals and implementation details.

Multiple residents urged the council to adopt mandatory inclusionary zoning to create affordable homes, saying voluntary strategies have not produced results in Park Ridge; speakers included long-time residents, housing advocates and neighbors of transit corridors.

Following extensive public comment urging mandatory inclusionary zoning and a staff presentation on density‑bonus options, council members asked staff and legal to research a rental‑only mandatory approach (suggested thresholds discussed) and administrative options for income verification and resident preference lists.

Councilors asked staff to prioritize review of vape-shop inventory rules after a state law change narrowed a federal hemp loophole; city staff and the city attorney said the change reclassifies some products as cannabis and will move enforcement toward licensed dispensaries and state enforcement channels.

Police Chief Sorenson said the department is grieving the recent death of Detective Frank Gloria and summarized monthly activity including 81 e‑bike enforcements (five underage citations). The department announced a drug take-back event Oct. 24 (10 a.m.–2 p.m.; no liquids or syringes).

Council discussed options to make Park Ridge's PUD public-benefit list more likely to produce affordable housing — including weighted scoring, tiered priorities, or mandatory inclusionary zoning for rental projects — and asked staff to research examples and legal constraints.