The Zoning Board of Appeals had a relatively full agenda when they met on February 17th, including two public hearings on special use permit applications, review and approval of the official 2016 Village Zoning Map, and a general discussion of how to better address various special events that occur in Barrington Hills.
The first special use application heard was for a back-lit lettered LED sign and cross mounted on the northwestern face of the Barrington United Methodist Church located at 98 Algonquin Rd. The sign was desired to better help those unfamiliar with the area to locate the church at night.
The sign was approved, and if approved by the Board of Trustees, it will be the first of its kind in Barrington Hills on a structure. The recording of the public hearing can be heard here, and the discussion and vote by the board can be heard here.
Another special use application was presented by representatives of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church at 337 Ridge Rd. for an addition of a small screened porch to the church’s rectory. The permit was required due to a needed setback variation.
The matter was tabled until the March meeting after discussion turned to some ongoing drainage and septic issues in the general area, and board members wished to look into those matters before deciding on the permit. That public hearing recording can be accessed here.
Board members then went through the ritual of approving the yearly official zoning map, but it was not unanimous, and was the subject of debate on if it accurately depicts R-1 zoning in the Village as can be heard here.
The board then began to consider how the Village might draft or better define codes related to the variety of special events held on private properties in the Village throughout the year, as can be heard here.
The menu of edited recordings by agenda topic from the full two and a half hour meeting can be accessed here.
Two questions after listening to the recording. Does the lighted sign the Methodist church wants to install conform to the Exterior Lighting Ordinance passed a few years ago? It applies to all newly installed lighting.
The Floor Area Ratio guidelines apply to churches as well as homes. Does St. Mark’s have available FAR left to add to the rectory? I didn’t hear either of these ordinances mentioned during the ZBA discussions.