Three and a half years ago, village president Robert Abboud committed to residents that he would address concerns over some commercial horse boarding operations within the Village. He came. He saw. But only time will tell if he will conquer. We have our doubts.
Since this long battle began, the ZBA, lower and appellate courts (as recently as September 21), have upheld a commitment and concern for residential property rights under Village Codes, and more so, a vision for the Village’s future when it comes to any commercial operations invading our peaceful residential existence. We have paid dearly for these victories in legal fees in recent years relating to a problematic commercial horse boarding operation within our Village. As the Appellate Court ruled in that case, “because the [property owners] are using the stable for the commercial boarding of horses, which is a primary use and not a subordinate use, it is a use that does not comport with the Village’s Zoning Code.” Immediate action on this matter should be clear to any elected or appointed member of our Village government.
The Observer believes the story of this success should be told, since our “Village Community Forum” has not been updated in order to share this news. As a matter of fact, the “Community Forum” hasn’t been updated for two months now, and we at the Observer believe it should broadcast this great success as well as other current deliberations in process with our Zoning Board that might be affected.
After all, unlike the Duda or Iatarola cases, this time at least some of the Village taxpayers’ monies spent on legal fees in this matter can be recouped from accrued fines brought on by a cease order in this matter years ago.
But will our own village Caesar act on these legal victories? Will he begin the process of collecting long overdue fines? Will he now shut down a commercial operation which each of the ZBA, the Circuit Court, the Appellate Court, and his own highly-paid lawyers have stated is illegal? Only time will tell. But given Abboud’s recent renaissance with equestrian interests (and their political financial backers), we fear the worst.
– The Observer
Related articles:
http://barringtonhillsobserver.com/2011/09/08/deja-vu-all-over-again-4/
http://barringtonhillsobserver.com/2011/08/24/what-changed-your-mind-president-abboud/
If “we” ever get a fair end to this mess everyone should celebrate. Horses are nice but homeowners and families come FIRST ! Let’s not forget that if the real estate market ever turns around it would be nice to have some “value” left in our properties ! Thanks for all the hard work !
Great piece of reporting, BHO. The appellate court should be praised for finally bringing this glacial legal tangle to an end. And now that it’s over, the Village has no excuse for inaction — it needs to show some leadership and shut down this illegal facility.