Posted in 220, Barrington Area Library, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Elections, League of Women Voters, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, School Districts, Unions, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on March 1, 2025| Leave a Comment »
Candidates for the Barrington Area Library board will meet from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 2 at the Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Highway in Barrington.
The forum for Barrington Area Unit District 220 board candidates is from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, March 2 at the Barrington Area Library.
Due to limited capacity at all the venues, advance registration of attendees is required at lwvpalatinearea.org.
Posted in Agendas, Animal Welfare, Aunt Blabby, Barrington Area Library, Board of Health, Clown Car, ePacket agendas, FUBAR, Goat Rodeo, Land Use, Lighting Ordinance, Mad Cows, Plan Commission, Politics, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Hearing, Public Safety, Real Estate, Taxes, Traffic, VBHPD, Village Attorney, Village Clerk, Village Code, Village Director of Administration, WTF, Zoning Board on February 18, 2025| 1 Comment »
Our Zoning Board of Appeals will be holding public hearing this evening beginning at 6:30 PM. Topics on their agenda include:
Public Hearing
Text Amendment to Section 5-2-1 Definitions of the Zoning Ordinance to Amend the Definition of Agriculture, filed by Chris Yamamoto
Text Amendment _Agriculture-Posted.pdf
NWDH Cert of Pub-Text Amend Ag Definition.pd
Public Meeting
[Vote] Text Amendment to Section 5-2-1 Definitions of the Zoning Ordinance to Amend the Definition of Agriculture
A copy of their agenda can be viewed and downloaded here.
Related: “News to us…,” “Village Board of Trustees meets tonight,” “’Agricultural Experience’ application meets a similar fate as ‘Agritourism’ did in August,” “Zoning Board of Appeals Public Hearing tonight,” “Village Board votes down ‘Agritourism as a Special Use’,” “August Board of Trustees meeting recording released,” “Sitting ducks,” “Special Zoning Board of Appeals meeting scheduled Tuesday”
Posted in 220, Barrington Area Library, Board of Education, Elections, Frau Blücher, League of Women Voters, Politics, Property Taxes, School Districts, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on February 14, 2025| Leave a Comment »
By Eric Peterson | Daily Herald
Several candidate forums are scheduled to allow voters in the Barrington, Palatine and Schaumburg communities to hear firsthand from those seeking elected office in the April 1 election.
The upcoming forums are organized and moderated by the nonpartisan League of Women Voters of the Palatine, Barrington & Schaumburg Areas. Due to limited capacity at all the venues, advance registration of attendees is required at lwvpalatinearea.org.
Candidates for the Barrington Area Library board will meet from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 2 at the Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Highway in Barrington.
The forum for Barrington Area Unit District 220 board candidates is from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, March 2 at the Barrington Area Library.
Candidates for Barrington village board trustee are slated from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 4 at the Barrington Area Library.
Read more here.
Posted in 220, Aunt Blabby, Barrington Area Library, Barrington Education Association, Board of Education, Community Alerts, Deception, District 220 referendum, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Education, Elections, Ethics, Immigration, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Real Estate, School Districts, Taxes, Transparency, Unions, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on February 9, 2025| 3 Comments »
Wednesday, March 12, 2025, 9:30AM-11:30AM
Location
Barrington Area Library
505 N Northwest Hwy
Barrington, IL
847.382.1300
Directions
Price: Free—Free Event – First Come First Serve Basis
Description
Barrington 220 School Board Candidates’ Forum: Wednesday, March 12th, 2025: The District 220 PTO Presidents’ Council extends an invitation to the Barrington 220 community of voters to attend its School Board Candidates’ Forum on Wednesday, March 12th from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM at the Barrington Area Library.
There are six school board candidates running for four seats on the School Board in the upcoming April 1st election. The six candidates include:
The event will start with a short period of introduction by each candidate, followed by a question-and-answer session using questions from the audience and questions submitted in advance online.
The forum is open to all District 220 voters and is free of charge. All interested community members are encouraged to attend. Seating is limited and will be first come first serve.
Event Contact:
Barrington 220 PTO Presidents’ Council
Rena Slovick
linesptoinfo@gmail.com
847.624.0908
Posted in Barrington Area Library, Going green, Topics Of Interest on January 28, 2025| Leave a Comment »
Barrington Area Library
“Seed Library Launch
Tomorrow, Wednesday, Jan 29
10 AM-1 PM (BALibrary cardholders only)
1-3 PM (Everyone)
Let’s get growing! It’s time to pick up your seeds for the new season. During the Seed Launch, Master Gardeners will be on hand throughout the day to answer questions and help you make your selections.
After the Launch, the Seed Library will be available to everyone during normal Library hours. Seeds are free and available while supplies last. Produce seeds are organic and non-GMO.
Want to see which seeds will be available? Check out https://balibrary.org/garden.”
Click here for a downloadable list.
Posted in Barrington Area Library, DARCHED, IDOT, Politics, Road construction, Topics Of Interest, Traffic on October 18, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Village of Barrington President Karen Darch
Exciting Infrastructure Milestones Ahead: Route 14 Underpass, Park Avenue Plaza & More!
“I am thrilled to share some exciting updates about key infrastructure projects that will significantly enhance our Village and its future.
Route 14 Underpass Project
Our long-anticipated Route 14 underpass project has taken a great leap forward! We’ve reached an important milestone as the state has set the letting date for Nov. 8, 2024, when contractor bids will be opened. It marks a critical step in enhancing safety and improving traffic flow in our community. The positive impact of this project will benefit emergency responders, pedestrians and drivers alike.
Park Avenue Plaza Design & Paver Enhancements
The Village is finalizing design plans for Park Avenue between Cook Street and Station Street to transform the upper roadway and parking into a vibrant gathering space for families and visitors. This new plaza will feature paved and turf areas thoughtfully designed to accommodate daily passive use and special events. We are particularly excited about the opportunity to support neighboring businesses by incorporating space for outdoor dining patios, creating an inviting atmosphere under twinkling string lights. Once completed, this project will provide an additional amenity for our residents and the business community to enjoy.
In tandem with the Park Avenue project, the Village has initiated paver removals with our Public Works team as part of a broader effort to enhance the streetscape in the Village Center. Next year, we plan to begin construction to replace the existing pavers, incorporating large, raised planter beds and clay brick accents. These improvements are specifically designed to address long-term maintenance concerns while enhancing the overall aesthetic and functionality of the downtown area. Materials and design selections for this project will coordinate with those of Park Avenue, creating a cohesive and beautiful public space.
Infrastructure improvements have always been a top priority for our Village, and we’re excited to see these major projects come to fruition. These efforts are designed to not only improve safety and accessibility but also to enhance the beauty and functionality of core parts of our community, ensuring they serve our residents, businesses and visitors for years to come.
Thank you for your continued support as we move forward with these transformative projects, shaping a safer and more vibrant future for our Village.”
Karen Darch
Village President
Posted in Barrington Area Library, Elections, League of Women Voters, Politics, Springfield on October 13, 2024| Leave a Comment »
On Thursday, October 10th, candidates running for Illinois House 52nd District participated in a Q&A forum/debate hosted by the League of Women Voters (LWV) at the Barrington Area Library. Recordings of this forum have recently been posted to the LMV website.
To listen to the recordings, click here.
Related: “Local League of Women Voters announces new name and Candidate Forums in the Northwest suburbs“
Posted in Barrington Area Library, Elections, League of Women Voters, Politics, Resident Spotlights on October 7, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Submitted by Elaine Doremus
The League of Women Voters of the Palatine, Barrington and Schaumburg Areas will co-host two upcoming Candidate Forums for IL House Districts 51 and 52.
The former League of Women Voters of the Palatine Area recently changed its name to the League of Women Voters of the Palatine, Barrington and Schaumburg Areas (LWPBS-Areas), which now encompasses residents from 25 local ZIP codes, including Barrington, Hoffman Estates, Inverness, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, and Schaumburg.
The LWVPBS-Areas also announces the upcoming nonpartisan, in-person Candidate Forums listed below. These forums are presented as a service to voters so that they can hear directly from candidates prior to the Nov. 5 and make informed choices. All League candidate forums are run by trained, nonpartisan moderators.
“Our League takes pride in facilitating informative, respectful, and inclusive candidate forums,” says Camille Basak, copresident of LWVPBS-Areas. “The goal is to help candidates be seen and heard by their constituents.”
Upcoming Candidate Forums:
Candidates: Martin McLaughlin and Maria Peterson
Date: Thursday, Oct. 10
Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Location: Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Highway, Barrington.
Capacity is limited. Register at: balibrary.librarycalendar.com/event/candidate-forum-51st-district-207138
Sponsored and moderated by the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
Capacity is limited. Register at: balibrary.librarycalendar.com/event/candidate-forum-52nd-district-207137
Cosponsored by the Barrington Area Library and the League of Women Voters of the Palatine, Barrington and Schaumburg Areas.
Posted in Barrington Area Library, Politics, Press Release, Property Taxes, Resident Spotlights, Springfield, Taxes on August 23, 2024| Leave a Comment »
More Than $360,000 in Grant Funding Will Improve Local Library Services
Library districts are receiving grant funding to help ensure all residents have access to quality resources and programming, Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias announced.
Libraries throughout the 51st and 52nd House Districts, serving over 242,000 people, are receiving a combined $360,595 in grants.
“Libraries throughout the state must have the resources and financial support they need to provide high-quality materials and programming to Illinois residents,” Giannoulias said. “Libraries serve as centers for lifelong learning and are critical to providing opportunities for children and adults to enrich their lives.”
“I am proud to support libraries receiving additional funding that will help our families access information and community programs,” said State Representative Martin McLaughlin (52nd District—Barrington Hills). “These grants will allow our libraries to increase their collections, improve their technology and ensure they are accessible for people with disabilities.”
The grants, awarded throughout Illinois, included annual per capita and equalization aid grant funding, public library construction grants and one-time newly created technology grants to help libraries most in need to upgrade their technology infrastructure.
Public Library Per Capita Grants are awarded annually to support local public library services. This year, public libraries received just under $1.50 per person in their service area. Public libraries can use this funding for operational needs, including purchasing materials for their library collections and capital improvements to their facilities.
Equalization Aid funding is awarded under a statutory formula to provide a minimum level of funding when local funding through taxes is too low to meet the service population’s base needs.
Public Library Construction Grant funding allows libraries to address refurbishing and renovation of existing facilities; assure compliance with accessibility standards; and even build new facilities.
Under the new technology grant initiative, eligible public libraries were determined by review of their local tax base in comparison to the population that is served and also the poverty level of the community.
Libraries have two years to expend the technology grants to help fund things such as adding hardware and software, expanding online collections and e-resources, purchasing digital devices and mobile apps, increasing Wi-Fi capacity and internet accessibility, incorporating patron self-checkouts, and assuring DA compliance for library websites and purchasing adaptive technologies that accommodate service needs for persons with disabilities.
Posted in Agendas, Barrington Area Library, Board of Health, Building Department, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Don't Change Barrington Hills, ePacket agendas, Land Use, Lighting Ordinance, New Normal?, OP/Ed, Politics, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Hearing, Public Safety, Real Estate, Resident Spotlights, Topics Of Interest, Traffic, VBHPD, Village Attorney, Village Clerk, Village Code, Village Director of Administration, Village Government, Zoning Board on August 20, 2024| 7 Comments »
Our Village Code states a Home Occupation may be allowed if the general public is, “…unaware of its existence.” | March 23, 2023 Little Ducky Flower Farm Facebook photo seen above
Our Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) will hold a special public hearing on a relatively new resident’s request to add “Agritourism“ to the list of allowed uses in the R-1 Residential District this evening. We’d like to share what we’ve learned about the resident, and “Agritourism.“
Background
The applicant is a newcomer to Illinois it seems. He closed on his property at 315 Dundee Road on December 30, 2021. A month later, on January 27, 2022, he filed with the Illinois Secretary of State’s office to register a Limited Liability Company (LLC) under the name of, “YAMAMOTO FAMILY FARMS LLC.”
Weeks later (when presumably the ground was still frozen), Yamamoto registered a Facebook account: “Little Ducky Flower Farm.” On May 3, Little Ducky Flower Farm launched an Instagram page.
With his plans progressing so quickly, one might wonder if he happened to check to see if Village Code allowed for his commercial his plans? Apparently not.
Little Ducky Flower Farm website
According to Little Ducky Flower Farm website, they sell bulbs, t-shirts, wool products, ducks and sheep and, of course, flowers. Marketing of Little Ducky Flower Farm has included television coverage on WGN9, CBS2 Chicago and NBC5.
Country Magazine featured Little Ducky Flower Farm in a piece and there was a “Lunch and Learn” seminar at Barrington’s White House conducted on September 28th of last year.
Things progressed quickly with marketing and sales based at 315 Dundee Road, however the Village issued a stop to it with a cease and desist order in May of this year. Tonight our Zoning Board of Appeals has been asked to consider “Agritourism“ businesses to be allowed in our R-1 Residential community.
So, what is agritourism?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Library defines it as follows:
“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.”
The National Agricultural Law Center cites some examples of agritourism, including:
In the “Agritourism” filing submitted to our ZBA (seen here), the applicant has proposed a plan for parking for cars and presumably other “vehicles” seen below:
He has also posted a “Roadmap” for his zoning approval plans for the business on his website:
Our thoughts
It’s unclear how or when this homeowner communicated his plans with the Village or when the Village became aware of what was occurring at 315 Dundee Road. The answer to both it appears is too late, and that is unfortunate. Now it is clear that the property owner is asking the ZBA to forgive the violation(s) and allow him to reopen his “Boutique Flower Farm,” business.
Our Comprehensive Plan states, “Barrington Hills is a unique single-family residential community….” Little Ducky Flower Farm’s commercial operations did not and will not fit that description. And, if our ZBA approves the applicant’s requests, we fear homeowners in the Village might become sitting ducks to commercialization of neighboring properties.
We implore the members of our Zoning Board to deny this application, thus protecting our residential community.
– The Observer
Related: “Special Zoning Board of Appeals meeting scheduled Tuesday,” “Special Zoning Board of Appeals Public Hearing August 20th”
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