Some Barrington Hills properties don’t just have numeric addresses. They come with charming names like “Serendipity” and “Hidden Pond Estate,” often seen on signs posted along village streets.
Concerned that proposed changes in a sign ordinance could force those markers to go away, some residents this week let elected officials know they want to keep that slice of Barrington Hills tradition.
But Village President Martin McLaughlin said those distressed about proposed amendments in the sign ordinance have it all wrong and their concerns are unfounded. He said the intent is not to get rid of property name signs but to tweak the dated ordinance so that those signs as they are can comply with local laws.
Trustee Colleen Konicek Hannigan said the village is trying to achieve a finely crafted sign ordinance that updates one that dates to 1963 and was last revised in 1977.
“For those who apparently are not aware, our current ordinance means that probably 90-some-odd percent of the signs that are currently existing are out of compliance,” Hannigan said.
Read more here.
Editorial note: We will publish a link to recordings from Monday’s Board of Trustees meeting soon.
There was a spooky site at Monday nights Village Board Meeting. Thanks to Paula Jacobsen stirring up the old guard with falsehoods regarding an update to our sign ordinance the meeting was attended last night by quite a small number of past bad characters. Ghouls or Gohl’s spooks and vampires attended . Many who had sucked the life out of taxpayers when in office . They spun spooky stories of how a sign ordinance update would destroy our community.
There were four presentations made by those in opposition to a new sign ordinance. First one stated that the history of the village and it’s rural charm would be destroyed. Then former trustee Gohl came forward and mentioned that the peaceful charm of the community would be ruined all due to a neighbor that didn’t like to look at a fence across from their property. We can only assume former trustee Gohl talking about the Grigsby forest preserve which was obligated to remove the sign they placed on the property in violation of the land trust wishes of the Grigsby family trust.
Then a former “female” trustee came forward rising up from the proverbial political crypt to claim management of our village and branding of our village was destroying its character and the history of the village. She went on to say the homogenization of-our community character was well under way and must be stopped. The final presenter appeared as if from the dead. He rose Bella Lagosi like dark haired with a piercing soulless stare. It was none other then the former Village President. He mentioned that this sign ordinance was a existential threat to the enjoyment of properties by residents in our community.
He further went on to mention that several mailboxes which are not subject to the ordinance would need to be changed. He also went on to make inaccurate claims regarding several village statutes and finally complained about Village resources being spent inappropriately which was by far the most ridiculous claim of all . This coming from a man who oversaw more wasteful spending in Barrington Hills than all of its prior 50 year history combined.
Trustee Koniceck Hannigan who is the liaison for the zoning board correctly stated that the update was to incorporate existing signs and protect new signs in a way that honors our traditions. She further mention the last sign ordinance drafted and in place is from 1977. Sources have learned that there have been several public meetings where the zoning board has asked for public input with none coming from any of the characters who spoke in opposition last night. Interestingly President McLaughlin asked at the board of trustees if the concerns of board members have been vetted with existing board members directly.
Trustee Deborah Buettner mentioned that she had conversation with zoning board members as she was on that committee when this project began. Otherwise the other trustees have not had interaction with the board. And Croll came up with five things he was uncertain about and Trusty Jacobsen I’m up with five additional issues that in both their minds and needed clarification.
Again interesting to note neither contacted news on board in advance of the board meeting to have those concerns resolved. After the discussion the matter was demanded to the zoning board for clarification and it appears that only board will respond to the concerns of the two trustees.
McLaughlin ask for trustees in advance of next months meeting to please get a specific language and answers so that we would not be wasting time or creating legislation on the fly. This is not the first time he has asked for this work from our board of trustees. This seems to be an ongoing thing with several of our current elected officials. They enjoy a public meeting where they can get on his soapbox and speak about issues but propose no solutions for any of them.
Sounds like a reunion of the Chicken Little gang LOL
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Section 5-11-4 of the proposed ordinance allows for the “name” and “address” of the property. This is something the existing ordinance does not permit. It’s like ole times are returning to VBH where certain BOT members and the public defer to others to do their thinking but not their speaking.
I do not think it is too much to ask BOT members and the public to read and understand the proposed ordinance before rendering judgment. You may even want to talk to a ZBA member or attend a ZBA meeting. Also, may I remind the 2 BOT members who stated the ZBA did not follow BOT direction on signage that the ZBA (unlike Plan Commission) is independent of BOT not obligated to follow BOT direction.
I think even the semi-sane among us can agree categorizing this proposal as an “existential threat” to VBH is unmeasured and hyperbolic to say the least. The individual who cast this aspersion during public comment has obvious ulterior motive none of which connected to passage of sound law or the good of the people of VBH in mind.
I am cognizant of the fact that during public comment, forsake of democracy, even the despondent and foolhardy are allowed to speak.