Last week The Observer published an editorial addressing the deep concerns we and others in the Village have regarding the “Commercial Horse Boarding Amendment” in a piece titled, “Speak up to rein in the proposed commercial horse boarding amendment.” In it, we provided some compelling reasons for our Village to reconsider the proposed amendment through a comparison of other traditionally “equine friendly villages” where reasonable code protections are provided for residents.
We have also published every communication the Village has issued regarding the June 18 ZBA Public Hearing to discuss the amendment, including the agenda release, newsletter, and notices published on two of our Village websites. This blitz of announcements is cause for concern.
Our communications-challenged Village government has posted historically unprecedented notifications in the time leading up to this Zoning Board Public Hearing. Previous hearings addressing cell towers or lighting ordinances never received such widespread coverage. This can only mean that they intend for this to be the final opportunity for residents to provide their input.
If you cannot attend the meeting, but still wish to voice your opinion, send a letter via email (clerk@barringtonhills-il.gov) or fax (847-551-3050) to the Village before Monday’s meeting.
– The Observer
Funny how times change.
“COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS IN LARGE BARNS have recently become an issue within the Village. The Village supports equestrian activities and recently updated its code to allow small scale boarding on residential properties consistent with our Home Occupation code with the intent to maintain a rural residential character. However, several properties have attempted to operate commercial scale equestrian operations on properties not zoned for this activity. The Village has enforced this area of zoning code in the past and will continue to do so in the future. The effort ensures the protection of surrounding properties, protects health and safety, and prevents traffic congestion.” Bob Abboud, Village Newsletter February 2008
BTW, the Village Code (5-3-4 D) was only updated in June 2006 to allow small scale boarding, despite claims by some that the boarding of horses is and has always been legal on any scale in Barrington Hills.
You are correct “Most Informed” but all that changed with the Schuman [Abboud] Letter and a certain $15,000 secret campaign donation to “Save 5 Acres”. I hope you live up to the name of “most informed” by taking the time to read the information made available to the public on-line and connect the dots. Then you will know why Abboud changed his mind and realize like I have that it has nothing to do with horses.
This ZBA hearing is for RESIDENTS to speak, not politicians. If Abboud decides he wants to make a speech at the beginning of the meeting, I suggest that all residents attending be allowed to vote on whether “Presidential Comments” should be moved to the END of the meeting. Further, those comments should be limited to three (3) minutes only!