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Archive for the ‘FPDCC’ Category

Owl-oween Bash at Crabtree Nature Center Friday

Posted in Crabtree Nature Center, Education, Entertainment, FPDCC on October 29, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Jack-o’-lantern walk, campfire stories and festive fun. Costumes encouraged.

Date: Fri, October 30
Time: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Cost: Free
Where: 3 Stover Rd, Barrington, IL 60010
Phone: 847-381-6592 – Registration required

Source

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Who Decides What Old Sutton Road Becomes

Posted in BACOG, Bicyclists, Cook, County, EJ&E/Canadian National, Ethics, FPDCC, Guest Essay, Hoffman Estates, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Lighting Ordinance, OP/Ed, Politics, Privacy, Property Rights, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, School Districts, South Barrington, Spring Creek Watershed, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Traffic, Village Code, Village Director of Administration, Zoning Board on October 26, 2026| 7 Comments »

(Please click on image to enlarge)

Community update on Cook County zoning | October 26, 2026

Neighbors along Old Sutton and Penny Roads are asking how much commercial truck activity this residential corridor can accommodate. Cook County is considering a request to park up to 50 dump trucks south of Penny Road. A group of us is also examining earlier special-use approvals and a separate truck-terminal rezoning request. We want the County to consider their combined effects on roads, homes and natural areas, with supporting evidence in the public record.

Who has zoning authority

The 50-truck site at 15N803 Old Sutton Road is unincorporated Cook County land zoned R-1 Single-Family Residence. Cook County’s zoning ordinance governs this application, not the zoning ordinances of Barrington Hills or South Barrington. A nearby village address does not change that. The County Zoning Board of Appeals makes written findings and a recommendation; the Cook County Board of Commissioners makes the final decision. Neighboring villages can object, but cannot veto this zoning request. Applicable road, environmental, health and other laws still apply. A separate annexation dispute involves other parcels.

What is being requested

Cases SU-26-0002 and VA-26-0017 involve approximately 4.4 acres. Cristobal Rodriguez and Lorena Galvez petitioned to park up to 50 dump trucks: six for their business and 44 additional spaces. They also seek an accessory-building height variance from 15 feet to 20 feet 2 inches. These uses require County zoning relief; R-1 status alone does not authorize them. The September 23, 2026 hearing was held. We have not confirmed a final County Board decision.

What residents have put on the record

Cook County published a compilation of 22 objection letters. Seventeen cited traffic and safety, 15 zoning compatibility, 14 noise or residential character, 11 environmental concerns, 10 sensitive locations, 9 road conditions and 7 property values. Each letter could raise more than one issue; these counts describe concerns, not established harm. Barrington Hills formally objected, residents of both Barrington Hills and South Barrington submitted objections, and South Barrington’s mayor publicized the hearing.

What else is happening along the corridor

Husky Trans, Inc. separately sought to rezone approximately 15.6 acres at 15 Old Sutton Road and 545 Penny Road from R-1 to C-4 commercial and I-4 motor-freight-terminal districts (MA-25-0002). Cook County deferred the application in October 2025; no final rezoning approval has been verified.

Barrington Hills’ 2024 annexation of roughly 44 acres nearby is under litigation. A trial court invalidated it, an appellate court reversed in September 2025, and the Illinois Supreme Court heard arguments September 24, 2026. We have not confirmed a final ruling. This is distinct from the 15N803 County application.

We are also tracing historic special uses at 191 and 193 Penny Road and 15N272, 15N365 and 15N701 Old Sutton Road. Our working map covers more than 200 acres under study, but that does not mean 200 acres have commercial or Special Use approval. Current ownership, permitted acreage and a recently identified parcel still require verification.

Why the combined picture matters

Old Sutton Road is narrow, unlit and without shoulders, yet it serves residents, cyclists and equestrians. Truck counts, vehicle weights, routes and hours matter across all nearby operations, not only on the applicant’s lot. So do noise and neighboring residential property use.

The 2010 MWRD watershed plan modeled flooding at the Penny Road crossing of Spring Creek. That does not establish runoff from this truck site. It does raise practical questions about grading, drainage outlets, downstream capacity and spill controls near forest-preserve habitat and private wells. Water leaving one lot still enters a shared system.

Cook County Section 13.8.9(A) requires written findings on health and safety, nearby property use and values, roads, drainage, traffic and County compliance. We want to see how those standards are supported while accounting for existing operations and pending proposals.

What we need to accomplish together

A credible County record, and any possible later legal review, needs evidence more specific than general opposition. We are collecting:

  • Recorded permits, approved acreage, current owners and exact authorized activities.
  • Dated traffic observations, truck routes, road measurements and operating hours.
  • Flood photographs, engineering and drainage studies, receiving-system capacity and groundwater information.
  • Qualified environmental, noise and property-value analysis, with clear sources.

We will ask the County to disclose its studies and explain each required finding. Credible records and expert testimony are essential; no evidence can promise a particular County or court outcome.

Please share questions information or ideas

If you live nearby, know these properties, have records or photographs, or have an idea for helping, please contact me. Different views are welcome. Our objective is a factual public record and a thorough Cook County review of this corridor.

 – Robin Duggan  |  Barrington Hills resident  |  rduggan@2gcinc.com

Public records and source documents

Cook County Zoning Ordinance Sections 3.3 and 13.8
County ZBA hearing application materials
County compilation of 22 objection letters
Barrington Hills formal objection
Husky rezoning request and deferral
Illinois Supreme Court oral argument docket 132527
MWRD watershed plans and reports

Related: “Status update on 15N803 Old Sutton Road petitions for Special Use and Variance with the Cook County Zoning Board of Appeals“

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Status update on 15N803 Old Sutton Road petitions for Special Use and Variance with the Cook County Zoning Board of Appeals

Posted in Cook, County, EJ&E/Canadian National, FPDCC, Hoffman Estates, Land Use, Open Meetings Act, Politics, Property Rights, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Roads and Bridges, School Districts, South Barrington, Traffic, Transparency, Village Clerk, Village Code, Zoning Board on October 25, 2026| 3 Comments »

15N803 Old Sutton Road via Google Maps

On September 18th we posted information regarding a Cook County Zoning Board of Appeals Public Hearing regarding an unincorporated Cook County property near the Village border taking place September 23, 2026. This was in addition to a previous post by the Village on September 15th.

Information currently available regarding the September 23rd public hearing include:

Minutes from the Zoning Board Hearing have been posted and state only that testimony was taken.

Audio recordings from the September 28th Barrington Hills Board of Trustees meeting (found here) reveal that apparently objections to the application, as well as the application itself, were not sufficiently made available to the public to review prior to the September 23rd hearing. Therefore, continuation of the hearing was postponed until (at least) January 2027.

Further, it was not decided it additional objections would be admissible in to the record considering original objections were not fully made public. If additional comments/objections are allowed, we will notify readers.

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Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways: Old Sutton Road Resurfacing Begins Monday, October 26 (Ish) – Expect Delays

Posted in Aunt Blabby, Cook, County, FPDCC, Goat Rodeo, Horizon Farm, Road construction, Roads & Bridges Committee, Taxes, Traffic, VBHPD on October 22, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Per the Village of Barrington Hills website:

“The Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways (CCDOTH) has notified the Village of Barrington Hills of upcoming resurfacing work on Old Sutton Road, a County-maintained roadway, between Dundee Road and County Line Road.

This Cook County project may begin as early as Monday, October 26, 2026.

Anticipated Construction Schedule

Weather permitting, the construction, being completed by Builders Paving is expected to proceed as follows:

  • Week of October 19: Installation of construction signage
  • Week of October 26: Installation of new lateral pipe culverts and hot-mix asphalt (HMA) patches over the culverts
  • Week of November 2: Milling of existing pavement
  • Week of November 9: Placement of new asphalt surface course
  • Week of November 16: Installation of permanent pavement markings and reflectors, and culvert cleaning

Traffic Impacts and Access

One lane of traffic will remain open during daytime construction activities, with flaggers directing motorists through the work zone. Both lanes will reopen during non-working hours.

Access for residents and emergency vehicles will be maintained throughout construction. However, motorists should anticipate potential delays and allow additional travel time when traveling through the area.

Project Questions

Cook County is responsible for managing this roadway improvement project. Residents with questions or concerns about the work should contact Cook County’s project representative, Brian Cameron, at Brian.Cameron@mbakerintl.com.

The Village of Barrington Hills appreciates Cook County’s investment in improving our local roadways and thanks residents for their patience and cooperation during construction.”

Source

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Equestrian/Riding Club Commission meets tonight

Posted in Agendas, Animal Welfare, Audio recordings, Aunt Blabby, Barrington Hills Farm, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, Bicyclists, Big Red, Commercial Horse Boarding, Crime, Democratic Socialists of America, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Don't Change Barrington Hills, Elections, Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, FRVPC, HARPS, Horse Boarding, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Look For The Union Label, Mad Cows, Massbach Hounds, Politics, Privacy, Property Rights, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Riding Club Commission, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Save 5 Acres, Taxes, The Other Half, Unions, Village Director of Administration, Well Water Quality, Your Barrington Hills on October 20, 2026| Leave a Comment »

The Equestrian/Riding Club Commission will be meeting this evening at 6:30 PM. Topics on their agenda include:

  • [Vote] Minutes – September 1, 2026 (Item left blank)
  • Horse/Large Animal Disaster Preparedness Plan – Discussion

A copy of the agenda and Zoom link can be found here.

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2026 Barrington Hills Fall Festivus photos posted

Posted in Entertainment, FPDCC, Heritage Fest, Village Board on October 17, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Nearly 300 images of last Sunday’s Festivus were posted yesterday to the Village Facebook page. A link to those can be found here.

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Barrington Hills Park District/Riding Club meets tonight

Posted in Agendas, Algonquin Rd, Animal Welfare, Aunt Blabby, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, Bicyclists, Big Red, Commercial Horse Boarding, Countryside Elementary School, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Don't Change Barrington Hills, E-bikes, Elections, Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, FRVPC, Horizon Farm, Horse Boarding, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Look For The Union Label, Open Meetings Act, Overhead, Privacy, Property Rights, Property Taxes, Real Estate, Riding Center Advisory Committee, Riding Club Commission, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Save 5 Acres, Simple Minds, Taxes, The Other Half, Transparency, Unions, Your Barrington Hills on October 14, 2026| Leave a Comment »

The Barrington Hills Park District Board/Riding Club of Barrington Hills will hold their monthly meeting this evening in person and via Zoom at 6:00 PM. Some topics on their agenda include:

  • Discussion of equine emergency stabling
  • Discussion of Treasurer’s overview
  • Grant Applications

A copy of their agenda can be viewed here. Instructions for accessing the meeting remotely can be found here.

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PUBLIC HEARING: Unincorporated Cook County property off Old Sutton Rd on county Zoning Board of Appeals agenda September 23rd

Posted in Cook, County, EJ&E/Canadian National, FPDCC, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Politics, Public Hearing, Real Estate, School Districts, South Barrington, Special Use Permits, Topics Of Interest on September 18, 2026| Leave a Comment »

15N803 Old Sutton Road according to Google Maps

CASE NUMBERS: SU-26-0002 & VA-26-0017
HEARING DATE: September 23, 2026
TIME: 11 AM (see agenda)
LOCATION OF HEARING: 69 W. Washington, 22nd Floor, Chicago, IL

“Lenny Asaro, acting on behalf of Cristobal Rodriguez and Lorena Galvez, has petitioned the Zoning Board of Appeals for a Special Use for a Unique Use (SU-26-0002) with a companion Variance (VA-26-0017) to the zoning requirements of the R-1 Single Family Residence District. The applicant is requesting a SU/UU to operate a commercial truck parking business for 50 dump trucks. If the companion SU/UU is granted, the applicant is also requesting a companion VA to increase the height of an accessory structure from the maximum allowed 15 feet to a proposed 20 feet 2 inches. The subject property is located within the 15th District with the common address 15N803 Old Sutton Road, Barrington, IL. 60164.”

The Zoning Board of Appeals agenda can be viewed here.

Per a recent post by the Village of Barrington Hills:

“Members of the public wishing to submit comment may do so by emailing their comment directly to Cook County’s ZBA by Monday, September 21, 2026. Comment will be accepted until 12:00 PM (Noon): ZBA.emails@cookcountyil.gov. Do not email the Village, as it will not be forwarded to Cook County on your behalf.”

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Citizens for Conservation Ignite the Night fest September 26

Posted in Barrington Hills Park District, Citizens for Conservation, FPDCC, Fundraisers, Resident Spotlights on September 17, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Come celebrate autumn and connect with family, friends and neighbors at an outdoors moonlit festival. Enjoy a cookout dinner with beer and wine, accompanied by great live music and an amazing blazing giant bonfire at the Barrington Hills Park District/Riding Center and Spring Creek Forest Preserve from 5-10 PM Sept 26.

The evening features a large eco-raffle, stargazing with powerful telescopes, meeting native birds of prey, and narrated horse-drawn wagon rides around a tallgrass prairie. Ignite the Night strives to be a zero-waste event again. For more information and tickets, go to CitizensForConservation.org/itn.

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Forest Preserves spent extra $40 million yearly on expanded conservation, maintenance

Posted in Animal Welfare, BACOG, Bicyclists, Chicago Tribune, Citizens for Conservation, Cook, County, Crabtree Nature Center, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), E-bikes, Education, Elections, Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation, Flint Creek/Spring Creek Watersheds Partnership, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, Friends of Forest Preserves, FRVPC, Horizon Farm, Horse Boarding, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Massbach Hounds, Politics, Preckwinkle's Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Spring Creek Stewards, Taxes, Unions on September 16, 2026| Leave a Comment »

 

Mark Kolasa, a teaching assistant for a restoration ecology class, uses his binoculars during a tour through Deer Grove East Forest Preserve in Palatine on Sept. 23, 2025, as part of a celebration of the completion of the habitat restoration project. The restoration project, funded by the O’Hare Modernization Mitigation Account, restored acres of native habitat and wetlands at this site. | Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune

By A.D. Quig | Chicago Tribune

Cook County Forest Preserves has used a $40 million yearly windfall from voters to buy up and conserve more land, pay for maintenance and add programming while bolstering its pension funds, the district reported Tuesday.

Voters overwhelmingly gave the preserves the OK to raise property taxes by 0.025% in a 2022 referendum. While at the time it cost the average homeowner about $20 a year, it was a “watershed moment” for the district, according to a new progress report on the district’s spending since then.

Because the new money was commingled with other preserve funds, it’s not possible to trace the improvements dollar for dollar, but the report puts some hard numbers on the “impressive and undeniable” benefits.

Among them: $11 million spent on ecological restoration projects, buying $4 million in new “greener” vehicles and equipment, and spending $2.4 million to expand the district’s “Conservation Corps.”

Revenues have grown only modestly after the referendum infusion. President Toni Preckwinkle is expected to roll out the 2027 budget for the preserves to the forest preserve board — which is the same as the County Board — on Oct. 7.

“The leap in capacity from increasing the budget in 2023 by nearly a third, and continuing that investment, has paid dividends for us all,” Preckwinkle said in a release.

District General Superintendent Adam Bianchi, hired in July 2025, inherited the district’s goals to ecologically restore 30,000 acres and expand the preserves from 70,000 to 90,000 acres by 2039. In the first three years after the referendum, the district added an “unprecedented” nearly 3,000 acres to its restoration work, Bianchi said at the district’s monthly board meeting Tuesday. Between 2023 and 2025, the district added 558 acres overall.

The district also spent $4 million to improve 64 miles of trails, $2.5 million to repair 43 picnic sites and $1.2 million to fix up more than a dozen bathroom buildings across the county. It planted 815 trees at preserves picnic groves, golf courses and campgrounds and created an accessible canoe and kayak launch at Beaubien Woods.

Report continues here.

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