“PUBLIC HEARING Before the Zoning Board of Appeals Village of Barrington Hills Text Amendment – Special Uses, Section 5-5-3(A), R1 District Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing will be held on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. by the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village of Barrington Hills at the Village Hall, 112 Algonquin Road, Barrington Hills, Illinois, concerning an application filed by Chris Yamamoto, 315 Dundee Road, Barrington Hills, Illinois, which requests a text amendment to section 5-5-3(A) Special Uses, R1 District, of the Zoning Ordinance to include, in the list of Special Uses, Agritourism.
A copy of the Zoning Ordinance and the text amendment application is available for examination by appointment at the office of the Village Clerk at the Village Hall, weekdays during business hours, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
All interested parties are invited to attend the Public Hearing and will be given an opportunity to be heard. Written comment on the proposed amendment to be made part of the record of this proceeding will be accepted in the Office of the Village Clerk through 3:00 PM, August 20, 2024.
By: Village Clerk Village of Barrington Hills clerk@barringtonhills-il.gov 847-551-3000.”
I’ve read this guy’s BLOG and many other social media vehicles he’s used. There is NFW I would ever permit an operation like this near MY property.
I understand your concerns about having an operation like this nearby. Our goal is to create a positive, community-focused environment that aligns with the values and guidelines of Barrington Hills. Our farm has been operational for four seasons (summer 2022–spring 2024) without any complaints about traffic, noise, or aesthetics. We prioritize sustainable practices and aim to enhance the natural beauty and biodiversity of our area. We are committed to addressing any concerns and ensuring that our activities benefit the community without causing disruption.
Why are time and resources being wasted on this (ANNA)?
“Agritourism is a form of COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE…” https://www.nal.usda.gov/human-nutrition-and-food-safety/local-foods-and-communities/agritourism
Examples of Agritourism: Pumpkin picking patches, corn mazes, U-Pick operations, petting and feeding zoos, hay rides, cut-your-own Christmas tree farms, dude ranches, demonstration farms, agricultural museums, living history farms, on-farm farmers’ markets, winery tours and wine tasting, rural bed & breakfasts, and garden tours. https://nationalaglawcenter.org/overview/agritourism/
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and resources. While agritourism can be considered a form of commercial enterprise, our proposal emphasizes its educational and recreational aspects rather than a purely commercial focus. You can read more about it here: https://www.littleduckyflowerfarm.com/post/safeguarding-barrington-hills-rural-charm
The village has the authority to decide which specific agritourism activities it would like to permit, ensuring that they align with the community’s values and guidelines. I’ll be sharing a post about how other municipalities that have agritourism encoded have handled this soon.
Our farm aims to support local agriculture, provide educational opportunities, and preserve open space and scenic corridors. We believe that by working together, we can create a proposal that benefits everyone in Barrington Hills. Happy to show you space & share how our operation works if you’d like to see it first hand.
You were and still are operating a commercial operation in the village and advertising on multiple TV stations via YouTube replays, Instagram, Facebook and print not to mention an active blog. As a matter of fact, you’ve done so much marketing that there’s now a similar operation that sprang up across Dundee Road from you (GGF) that sells flowers, eggs, etc according to Instagram posts. This cannot continue.
There are numerous farmers markets in neighboring suburbs that would welcome your business. I suggest you take advantage of that.
Thank you for your continued engagement on this matter. I appreciate your concerns and would like to address them further. First, a clarification: we ceased all outdoor operation since the village asked us to and work hard at being in compliance.
1) Non-Commercial Nature: While we do engage in some forms of marketing to raise awareness about our educational and recreational activities, the primary aim of our farm is community connection. All revenue generated is reinvested into the farm to support its operations, maintenance, and community programs.
2) Community Engagement and Education: Our farm serves as a space for community members to learn about sustainable agriculture, connect with nature, and participate in hands-on educational activities. We believe that these experiences are crucial for fostering a deeper appreciation for local agriculture and environmental stewardship.
3) Support for Local Agriculture: The presence of another similar operation across Dundee Road highlights a growing interest and demand for local agriculture and agritourism in our area. This trend supports the notion that our community values these types of experiences and the benefits they bring.
4) Village Oversight and Regulation: As previously mentioned, the village has the authority to regulate agritourism activities to ensure they align with community values and guidelines. We are committed to working within these regulations and adjusting our operations as needed to comply with any requirements set forth by the village.
5)Alternative Options: While farmers’ markets in neighbouring suburbs are indeed a valuable outlet for local produce, they do not provide the same immersive, educational experiences that our farm offers. Buying a premade bouquet is not the same as standing in a field of blooms. Our aim is to complement, not compete with, these markets by providing a unique, community-oriented space for agritourism.
6) Invitation for Dialogue: I invite you to visit our farm and see firsthand how we operate. Understanding our setup and operations might help address some of your concerns. We are open to discussions and willing to make sensible adjustments to ensure our farm aligns with the community’s expectations and needs. We have extended this same invitation to all trustees and zoning board members. As you’ve mentioned, we post about our farm a lot, we don’t hide details about our operation or our aspirations for our small, little farm.
We believe that with thoughtful planning and community collaboration, our farm can coexist harmoniously with the residential nature of Barrington Hills while providing valuable educational and recreational benefits.
Our family has visited Little Ducky Flower farm every season while they have been open. What a gem of a resource and how forward thinking for The Village of Barrington Hills to have this flower treasure in your village. We love the cozy, prestige, natural space and enjoying nature while we take a step out of our home in the Village of Barrington. Please don’t allow a few grumpy people to be the voices heard, really anyone who can be hating on a flower farm needs to evaluate what makes them feel so grumpy! We support Little Ducky Flower Farm and can’t wait to visit once they are allowed to reopen!
We are a residential community at heart, first and foremost. If an enterprise such as this is to be allowed it must be strictly tailored, there must be time limits so the applicant has to renew on an annual basis, surrounding property owners, particularly ones sharing a common driveway, must be given a right of refusal/objection that supersedes the business operation, strict time limits of operation must be enacted if passed, along with traffic flow onto what can be a dangerous road. It’s a slippery slope. We grew up with neighborhood farmstands much less intrusive, vegetables on a cart on a rural road with an honor box to drop your payment for corn or tomatoes, run out by Bob Kosin after the village was incorporated. I hope these zoning and trustee members have their heads screwed on right. I’m thinking this is WAY beyond the current BOT’s capabilities
Thank you for sharing your concerns. I appreciate the importance of maintaining the residential nature of our community. Here are some points I’d like to address:
Tailored Operations: Our proposal includes strict guidelines and operational limitations to ensure minimal impact on the community. We are more than willing to adhere to specific rules and time limits to address any concerns. You can read about our operational model here: https://www.littleduckyflowerfarm.com/post/safeguarding-barrington-hills-rural-charm and scope here: https://www.littleduckyflowerfarm.com/post/introduction-to-agritourism-in-barrington-hills-il
Annual Reviews: We are open to the idea of annual permit renewals. This will allow the community to assess the impact and make adjustments if necessary. To give you some background, we were operating under the home occupation ruling (not realising it was not for outside activities) for 3 years or 4 seasons, with no complaints about traffic congestion, noise or disruption, or change to the village landscape. We have shared ideas for the board on how to implement this at the of this post: https://www.littleduckyflowerfarm.com/post/addressing-concerns-about-agritourism-in-barrington-hills
Neighbour Input: We value our neighbours’ input and are committed to maintaining positive relationships. We talked to our direct neighbours before starting. Although we do not share a driveway with any neighbours, we want to work with surrounding property owners to address their concerns and find mutually agreeable solutions.
Operational Hours and Traffic Management: We have already implemented strict operational hours and developed a traffic management plan to ensure safety and minimal disruption. Since we work full time, when we ran the u-pick, it only operated between 4-7pm on certain weekdays, and 9am-11am, 4-7pm weekends. It’s just the two of us, so we don’t allow walk ins, control the number of people per time (10 or less). Flowers are also only available seasonally. Picking flowers is generally a low noise-generating activity. Our location and setup are designed to control traffic flow and prevent any hazardous situations. We have shared a formal plan with the chief of police and fire department that they’ve reviewed. It should be in our application packet.
Community Heritage: We understand the nostalgia for simpler, less intrusive farm stands. Our aim is to complement this heritage by offering a modern, yet unobtrusive, agritourism experience. We believe this can coexist with the community values and traditions we all cherish. We limit the number of people per time slot (we believe that the experience amidst the flowers should be tranquil). There’s no music or loud parties, bright lights.
Community Benefits: Our farm is not just a business but an opportunity for education, recreation, and community-building. Any revenue generated goes directly back into the farm to support its maintenance, educational programs, and sustainable practices. This ensures that the farm remains a community resource rather than a profit-driven business. It promotes local agriculture which can enrich our community’s character and quality of life. It’s a more community centric approach: https://www.littleduckyflowerfarm.com/post/the-community-focused-nature-of-our-flower-farm
I hope these points help clarify our intentions and address your concerns. We are committed to working with the community and local government to ensure our operations benefit everyone involved. We will be hosting a few public q&a sessions at the library soon so that we can address questions in person. We have invited all trustees and board members to visit the farm so they can see how it works for themselves. We’re transparent about our vision and intention and openly share these on our website & social media accounts. We’re just two people sharing our love for locally grown blooms & the semi-rural country life living in BH has offered us.
Actually, Sarah, in looking through the materials you referenced, it is clear that you are looking for a code change that would impact the entire Village of Barrington Hills, just to benefit your self interests. It appears as though you want the Village to undertake a whole new zoning classification under the name of Agritourism. This would allow similar enterprises to any property within the Village, the effect of which opens up the entire Village to tourism, as opposed to our private, rural, residential community. We are not “semi-rural“. You stated in your response above that you were open to a renewed annual permit review. That is something that takes place under a request for “special use“. Why aren’t you seeking a special use? I saw on your Facebook page that somebody asked you a similar question and you responded that you have not sought a special use permit. Why do you think it is appropriate to change the zoning code of the entire village for your self interests?
Our goal is not to alter the entire zoning landscape of Barrington Hills for personal gain.
To clarify, there is a difference between permitted use and special use. Permitted use allows certain activities by right within a zoning district, without additional approvals (e.g., home occupation rule). Special use, on the other hand, requires specific approval from the village, including public hearings and annual reviews, to ensure the activities comply with community standards and do not negatively impact the area. We are seeking a special use permit specifically tailored to our small-scale educational and community-focused activities. This route ensures that our activities are reviewed and approved by the village, maintaining transparency and adherence to community standards.
Before we can apply for a special use permit, the text has to be amended to add agritourism as a special use under agriculture. The idea of an agritourism classification is to provide a framework for responsible, regulated activities tied into agriculture that align with the village’s values and rural character, not to open the village to widespread commercialization. We explain more here: https://www.littleduckyflowerfarm.com/post/why-the-special-use-route-for-little-ducky-flower-farm
As for the term “semi-rural,” this wording comes directly from the village’s comprehensive planning document where the village calls itself a semi-rural community.
We believe in the value of local, sustainable farming and want to share its benefits with our community in a controlled and respectful manner. Our mission is to promote the cultivation of local flowers and crops grown without pesticides or herbicides, fostering a healthier environment and community.
We appreciate your engagement on this matter and the opportunity to clarify our intentions and address your concerns. This town is our home too, and we are dedicated to working with the village and our neighbors to find a solution that benefits everyone without compromising the character of Barrington Hills.
Our family has visited Little Ducky Flower farm every season while they have been open. What a gem of a resource and how forward thinking for The Village of Barrington Hills to have this flower treasure in your village. We love the cozy, prestige, natural space and enjoying nature while we take a step out of our home in the Village of Barrington. Please don’t allow a few grumpy people to be the voices heard, really anyone who can be hating on a flower farm needs to evaluate what makes them feel so grumpy! We support Little Ducky Flower Farm and can’t wait to visit once they are allowed to reopen!
Try number 2 (not sure what this means), your own village’s code does not allow for a similar use. Like Barrington Hills, the Village of Barrington requires, among other things, that: The Home Occupation use shall be conducted entirely within a completely enclosed structure; No outdoor display or storage of materials, goods, supplies, or equipment shall be allowed; The total area used for the Home Occupation shall not exceed fifteen (15) percent or four hundred (400) square feet (whichever is less) of the habitable floor area of the dwelling.
Thanks for the response, Sarah. I, for one, miss the farmstands. They were some of the best parts of rural living. The issue is the use needs to be drafted in a way that maintains the character of the community while protecting us from other commercial enterprises. Hopefully there is someone on the zoning and village boards with the skills to not mess it up. We don’t need another Dark Skies or Ban Bikes debacle in our community.
Sarah, by your own admission you began violating village codes beginning in 2022. It was’t until this year that someone finally had enough and complained about it, thus shutting down your operation.
Given the multifaceted marketing campaign g you and your husband launched and currently maintain, the code enforcement likely came as no surprise to you whatsoever. Now your seeking “forgiveness” and asking permission to resume operations in the form of a text amendment.
Just how f@cking stupid do you think we are? And, the more words you write defending your actions, the people believe you since the truth needs few words.
We started our flower farm with the intention of engaging the community and promoting sustainability, unaware of potential code conflicts. We never hid our activities and have always been transparent about our operations. Upon learning of the issue in May, we ceased operations and have since been working to align with village regulations.
Our efforts aim to share the benefits of local farming, not to seek forgiveness. The text amendment is intended to create a framework for agritourism that benefits the community without compromising its character. We respect differing views and are committed to finding solutions that address concerns.
I do hope that the zoning board, trustees, and BH residents are paying attention to this. There is a LOT below the surface that isn’t described well. It’s purportedly pick by appointment only, but from the comments I have seen from outsiders coming into our village to utilize this service, there does not appear to have been a practice of “by appointment only.“ The links provided by the property owner describe things like “educational opportunities for locals”, “hands-on learning experiences” and “educational programs”. This clearly goes beyond by appointment only flower picking.
They seek an allowance for agriTOURISM. By its definition, this is a commercial enterprise in a RESIDENTIAL community: “Agritourism is a form of commercial enterprise that links agricultural production and/or processing with tourism to attract visitors onto a farm, ranch, or other agricultural business for the purposes of entertaining or educating the visitors while generating income for the farm, ranch, or business owner.” https://www.nal.usda.gov/human-nutrition-and-food-safety/local-foods-and-communities/agritourism#:~:text=Agritourism%20is%20a%20form%20of,%5Bnationalaglawcenter.org%5D%20.%5D
A search of the business shows they’ve advertised on WGN TV https://wgntv.com/morning-news/around-town/around-town-visits-little-ducky-u-pick-flower-farm/, CBS News https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/chicago/news/little-ducky-flower-farm-barrington-tulips/
It is not in keeping with the character of a residential district to solicit such widespread activity to a residential property. This new “use” opens the door to every lot owner to invite the public to attend commercial enterprises on their property. Flower picking may sound ducky, but this is a very slippery slope into a commercial district that our founders did not envision and I dare say most residents who moved here for the quiet and private charm, did not either.
Thank you for sharing your concerns. Our farm has always operated by appointment only, including workshops and educational activities, to ensure minimal impact on the community. We are not a large farm and cannot accommodate large crowds, nor do we wish to.
Our focus is on fostering a connection with nature and promoting sustainable farming practices. We aim to enhance appreciation for local agriculture, not create a commercial venture.
Our activities, particularly outdoor flower picking, fall outside the home occupation rule. This is why we seek a special use permit, allowing the village to regulate and ensure alignment with the community’s character. This permit process ensures that any agritourism activities are carefully controlled and do not lead to widespread commercialization.
The media coverage we received aimed to highlight the benefits of local, sustainable farming and share our story, not to solicit widespread activity. Did you know that 80% of flowers in the US are imported? Our mission is to promote the cultivation of local flowers grown without pesticides or herbicides, fostering a healthier environment and community. https://www.littleduckyflowerfarm.com/post/why-local-flowers
The special use permit application aims to create a regulated framework for our farm, preventing an unchecked influx of commercial enterprises and maintaining the quiet charm of Barrington Hills. The village can tie agritourism to agriculture and decide the scope of activities, ensuring they align with community values and do not lead to other lots becoming commercialized.
We appreciate the opportunity to address these concerns and are committed to working with the village and our neighbors for a solution that benefits everyone.
You clearly have not bothered to get to know many Barrington Hills residents. If you had, you would not be embarrassing yourself like you are now Sarah.
I thought conservatives were for less government control and overreach, yet they seem to be pushing for EXTREME regulation for a small flower operation?
WTH does politics have to do with this? Your assumptions are as ridiculous as your lack of understanding. If you live and pay property taxes in Barrington Hills, likely to be implicated by the zoning classification, by the way, give an opinion. It’s not political.
You DO realize in the unlikely event the village approves your plans, you’ll then be subject to COMMERCIAL Cook County Property Tax rates since you’ll be operating a legitimate business in their eyes… . OUCH!
While I’m not a lawyer, I can share some general information:
Special Use Permits: Generally, obtaining a special use permit does not change the underlying zoning classification of a property. The primary zoning designation remains the same (e.g., residential), but the permit allows for specific activities that are not typically permitted under the standard zoning rules (in our case: outdoor flower picking).
Property Tax Assessment: Property taxes are usually based on the assessed value of the property, which takes into account factors such as property size, improvements, and market value. Special use permits, which allow for specific additional uses under regulated conditions, typically do not result in a change from residential to commercial tax classification. The primary zoning designation and tax classification remains residential.
Other Taxes (e.g., state, federal): We already pay these taxes for our farm’s business activities, ensuring we comply with all applicable tax laws and regulations.
When do plan to make drive-thru service available?
I am a BH resident. I have lived and worked in the Barrington area for more than 50 years. I support Little Ducky Farm and hope the village of BH can find away to allow the farm to continue. Zoning rules are critical in maintaining our community. Let’s find a way to slightly amend the rules (eg. no more than 3 parking spaces, etc) so that we can make room for a local organization that contributes greatly to the charm, beauty, and natural ecosystem. Setting realistic protocols around a newly evolved agritourism zoning amendment is possible. This is not a massive pumpkin farm or Halloween maze. It is a well-maintained, sustainable, pesticide-free flower farm. Unlike farms, equine, or golf courses, the Little Ducky Farm does not attract trucks, heavy traffic, invasive lights, or use massive amounts of resources. It is SO Low-impact. We have all been working hard to support organizations like Citizens for Conservation in a community-wide effort to return our local flora and fauna to native landscapes that supports and attracts songbirds, bees, butterflies, bats, and ecologically-minded humans. We want this kind of neighbor.
I’m glad you feel that way Anne. Get your pen and checkbook ready because you’ll be paying THEIR portion and everyone else’s’ property taxes who join on their bandwagon. This text amendment opens up commercial agriculture to everyone with 5+ acres. What this couple fails to inform the public this was started to take advantage of the exemption. You’ll be paying THEIR portion of taxes to every taxing body—school district, fire district, library, township, village, etc. They clearly did their research into villages that offer what they were looking to do but they chose BH and snubbed their noses at village zoning and laws—which clearly doesn’t bother Sara as she states she is not asking forgiveness. Welcome to the neighborhood.
Ask any new resident and they say it was the charm and character that brought them here—not commercial business. My neighbor said she didn’t know such a place existed and said it was a gem. As you mentioned Anne our area already has conservation organizations. BH is already dedicated to conservation and open space. This may be new to Little Ducky but it isn’t to our area.
Anne, you will care when YOUR neighbor has obtained an agritourism special use and the diesel smell from the tractors, tour buses/school buses, etc. fills the air around your home nights and weekends; or when you’re trying to enjoy your property and the noise and traffic from the 40 visitors and their entertainment being proposed disrupts your tranquility—and lowers your property value.
Goeberts Farm started smaller too.
I think we all completely understand the slippery slope. Absolutely valid. However, I believe this is worth the discussion without anger and suspicious, but with an open and kind heart. I am sure we can come up with realistic parameters to protect our concerns and support a positive addition to our community.
Thank you for sharing your concerns. To clarify, our proposed text amendment is specifically aimed at allowing small-scale, low-impact agritourism activities that are carefully managed and aligned with Barrington Hills’ rural character. This is not about large-scale commercial agriculture or avoiding our share of taxes. We pay all applicable taxes, just like every other resident, and this amendment doesn’t change that.
Our farm operated on an appointment-only basis, with timed entry and a limited number of visitors per slot. This ensured that any impact on traffic, noise, and the surrounding environment is minimal. Additionally, we are close to converting our farm into an all-electric operation. We believe that gas-powered tools are inefficient and contribute unnecessarily to noise and air pollution, which is why we’re investing in electric alternatives to further reduce our environmental impact.
Regarding comparisons to large commercial operations like Goebbert’s Farm, it’s important to note that Goebbert’s is not zoned residential, whereas our farm is, and that’s a critical distinction. Our proposal is specifically tailored to fit within the residential zoning of Barrington Hills, with strict limitations to ensure that our activities remain low-impact and community-focused.
Our text amendment is not about paving the way for large commercial enterprises but rather about supporting small-scale, sustainable farming that enhances the community. It’s designed with careful safeguards to ensure that any agritourism activities are consistent with the village’s values and do not lead to unwanted commercialization.
For those interested in learning more about our proposal and the values behind it, we invite you to visit our blog http://www.littleduckyflowerfarm.com/blog, where we’ve shared detailed posts addressing many of these concerns. We’re committed to transparency and welcome the opportunity to provide more information.
We appreciate the opportunity to address these concerns. We value open dialogue and welcome comments that are respectful and constructive.
This is a side hustle by this property owner. If approved, this would open the floodgates for others to do the same in our village. This property owner is no doubt very aware of the significant reduction in their property taxes with a property re-designation, and other tax payers would have to make up the tax shortfall! The property would be a commercial parcel vs. residential—not at all in line with our village characteristics of residential properties. JUST NO!