That editorial prompted a resident to survey five “equine friendly” villages similar in nature and character to Barrington Hills for information on how their village codes address horse boarding. That resident has forwarded their findings to The Observer, and the results are eye opening.
Based on the regulations in Bull Valley, Homer Glen, Mettawa, Wadsworth and Wayne, if our Village approves the commercial horse boarding language contained in the HOO amendment as drafted, Barrington Hills will be the only community that:
- Considers horse boarding a home occupation
- Requires no special use permit for boarding
- Has no limits beyond total FAR for stable size, and
- Has no limit of horses allowed on residential properties
The comparison of “equine friendly” village codes can be viewed by clicking here. We urge all residents to read and share this comparison. Then, consider that to what our Village is contemplating by downloading a copy of the HOO Amendment here.
The Observer fully supports horse ownership and enjoyment. We also support the right of a resident to board one or two horses for other Village residents. That stated, we cannot support the current commercial boarding proposal that lacks any sensible, objective safeguards to protect adjacent landowners from potential encroachment of their deserved privacy and peace.
Some people mistakenly believe this matter is only about one boarding operation in our Village. It’s not. It’s about any present or future commercial boarding and training facility allowed on any five-acre or more residential property in our Village.
We encourage residents to voice their opinions at the June 18th ZBA Public Hearing at Countryside School. Please do not assume that “someone else” will speak out on your behalf so you don’t need to attend. If you can’t attend, or would prefer not to speak publicly, then send your opinions to the ZBA and Village Board via our Village Clerk either by mail or email at clerk@barringtonhills-il.gov.
– The Observer