160 Hawthorne Road
The regular monthly Zoning Board of Appeals meeting will be available for remote participation only Monday, April 19th, beginning at 6:30 PM. Items on the agenda include public hearings and meetings on the following:
- Amendment to Existing Special Use (parking lot expansion): Al Azhar Islamic Foundation – 160 Hawthorne Road
- Special Use Application (recreational facility): Dundee Township Park District -South and Parallel to the Longmeadow Parkway near Algonquin Road
A copy of their agenda can be viewed and downloaded here.
So the ZBA Monday night will hear a revised proposal brought by the Alzhar foundation. They have reduced the number of parking lot spaces from 114 to 44 plus two handicapped spaces. In the packet, they refer to a property owner Carol Collins, stating that the spaces will not encroach on her property line. They plan to screen the property line, with a suggestion of two types of trees for screening; however the setback remains at 20ft. Neighbors are impacted by the comings and goings of attendees. The setback must be increased before the proposal by the foundation can be contemplated. Then there is the issue of removing 27 spruces. Will those trees be replaced? We don’t expect the ZBA to change their vote, because their pattern of voting is set. We will keep you informed on tomorrow night’s meeting.
“So last night’s virtual ZBA meeting had some tense moments. The meeting began with the Al-Azhar foundation attorney describing the reduction of 114 to 44 parking spaces. Then afterwards, members of the public were given a chance to talk. Several neighbors spoke, including Brent Burval candidate for Trustee in the last election, and Linda Cools a resident spokesman. The immediate neighbors presented to the ZBA a setback request of 100 feet, having agreed to it before hand among themselves. Brent Burval used his time to express his desire to see low level lighting as part of the plan. Linda Cools, long standing village advocate echoed the 100ft setback, and asked when and how a 20 ft setback was approved in the first place. Those questions weren’t directly answered, as well as the 27 trees the foundation plans to remove. However, later in the meeting Member Hennelly asked what does our code say about a non-traditional setback (parking lot)? This setback is not traditional because it has traffic from the mosque. The attorney’s answer wasn’t exactly clear. We are wondering why the ZBA members agreed to a 20 ft setback in the first place? They have been very favorable to the foundation in the past. Voting to forward their application, despite concerns and over protests by neighbors. Member Goss however went on a rant and accused members of the public for stonewalling the approval, and even stoking anti-Muslim hatred. The foundation’s Dr. and head stated that he was willing to make concessions or changes if it, “would make the neighbors happy.” One speaker mentioned a double yellow line, and a traffic accident that occurred years back when a driver wanted to make a left turn into the mosque. At that point, there was a conversation, regarding whether or not the double yellow line could be crossed. As far as we are aware driving rules always support not crossing a double yellow line. The attorney wasn’t sure, said that they should ask our police. And on and on it went. Members of the public took the opportunity to address Goss’ comments. Brent Burval said that Goss’ comments were , “outrageous’ and other homeowners responded by denouncing his remarks. Linda Cools also chimed in, a second time, saying that as a ZBA member, you have two jobs. One to support R1 and two the neighbors, the neighbors have to live with what is decided she said on a daily basis. She explained that neighbors who live in the area are directly impacted, and that no one else will be burdened by the traffic other than them. Goss was silent after she spoke. The ZBA decided that 100 ft setback was not practical. Members decided to put the setback at 50′ or more, and relocating the access roads as needed. A new map and architectural drawings were requested reflecting the possible changes which might be passed.
We noticed that Member Stieper and Root were not in attendance. Further, at the last meeting, Stieper’s name was absent from the nominations to village committees. Suggesting to us that he will be Cecola’s replacement as Roads’ chairman appointed by President McLaughlin. Cecola likely can’t occupy two posts. Stieper likely to be appointed to a long last Trustee seat minus an election. How easy it is when you know the right people?
We will find out, a week from Monday.
Why Goss was selected for any village post leaves us dumbfounded? He needs to apologize to all residents for his inappropriate comments. While he was on his tirade, he said the “foundation” has bent over backwards” to meet the special use conditions. Why he didn’t react with such outrage regarding the the lot line setback and other conditions which the residents were asking for leaves one wondering? Goss was absolutely overly sympathetic to the foundation, saying that if the foundation isn’t granted its special use, it will leave and likely what replaces it will not be good.” Does Goss have some personal interest in the foundation’s request? It sure looks suspect. Makes one wonder what his angle is? Stay tuned, the meeting was continued.. It seems to us that the ZBA doesn’t have a lot of questions to ask foundation members, but the public sure does!”
(You can’t make this stuff up! She actually wrote this.)
To Village Idiot II (a name well deserved) and to the Rest ……….
After 17 years of voluntary service to the Village of Barrington Hills I have stepped down to allow some one else an opportunity to serve. To those of you (including the Village Idiot) who believe mischief lurks in the dark recesses of Village Hall, let me put your concerns to bed, “I will not seek nor will I accept an offer to sit on VBH Board of Trustees or any other VBH board.” It has been my privilege to serve the residents of VBH these many years and for the most part, I am proud of the work the Plan Commission and ZBA accomplished while a member.
I have always served with the interests of residents in mind, placing the language and researched intent of the Village Code above partisan politics, individual interests or political interest groups. It was my now departed friend, James Kempe who asked me to first serve when I met him at Village Hall over a drainage issue on my father’s property in 2003. A time when most of us did not know there was a Village Hall let alone its location. In a way, the Board of Trustees under the deliberate hand of Marty has restored VBH to days of old restoring the philosophy of less is better than more.
I was asked by Marty after his slate was successfully elected to serve on the ZBA which I was reluctant to do. Marty has a way of convincing one to go against his or her better judgment and I fell victim to his Irish charm. I made a promise to serve as long as he remained Village President. I fulfilled this promise and now it is time for me to go.
It has been an honor to serve under the Kempe and McLaughlin administrations and even more of an honor to call Marty and certain others in VBH government my friends. In the end, it is the friendships and acquaintances I would have never made had I not served in Village government which is most rewarding.
For those with whom I have no contact outside of Village government, I doubt you will ever hear from me again. With this I bid President Cecola and the incoming Board best of luck moving forward and the rest of you a fond and long overdue adieu.