Posted in Aunt Blabby, Barrington Hills Farm, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, Bicyclists, BraveHearts, Clown Car, Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Don't Change Barrington Hills, Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, Frau Blücher, FRVPC, FUBAR, Goat Rodeo, Horizon Farm, Horse Boarding, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, LeCompte/Anderson Commercial Horse boarding amendment, Lighting Ordinance, Look For The Union Label, Mad Cows, Massbach Hounds, Open Meetings Act, Overhead, Plan Commission, Politics, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Riding Club Commission, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Save 5 Acres, SOUL Harbour Ranch, Taxes, The Other Half, Traffic, Transparency, Unions, Village Code, Village Director of Administration, Well Water Quality, Your Barrington Hills on December 1, 2025| Leave a Comment »
The Equestrian Commission/Riding Club will be meeting this evening at 6:30 PM. Though scheduled to meet quarterly, their last meeting was over a year ago on August 7, 2024.
Topics on their agenda include:
A copy of the agenda can be viewed here.
Posted in 220, Aunt Blabby, BACOG, Elections, Frau Blücher, Politics, Property Taxes, School Districts on March 19, 2025| Leave a Comment »
The Barrington Area Council of Governments (BACOG) is scheduled to have multiple meetings today beginning at 5:30 PM at the Barrington Township Offices, 602 South Hough Street. Those meetings include:
Meeting agendas are posted by BACOG, but their website does state, “Copies of approved minutes for BACOG committee and executive board meetings are available upon request. Please submit requests by email to bacog@bacog.org.”
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 Chicago Tribune, Frau Blücher, Letters to the Editor, Look For The Union Label, METRA, Politics, Topics Of Interest, Traffic, Unions on December 19, 2024| Leave a Comment »
The Chicago area’s looming $730 million mass transit fiscal cliff caused by the end of COVID-19-related federal subsidies is an inflection point for northeastern Illinois. Given the importance of transit to our region’s economic vitality and quality of life, sustainable funding for transit is a priority. Any changes to the region’s transit system, considered along with sustainable funding, must be guided by fiscal analysis and best practices.
The Plan of Action for Regional Transit (PART) concluded that northeastern Illinois transit service has historically operated more cost-efficiently than most peer agencies in the U.S. In addition to reviewing potential funding sources to fill the federal subsidy gap, PART also sought to address the need for improved services through more collaboration and coordination among transit providers.
The report suggested two options for changes in transit system governance — consolidation of the Regional Transportation Authority and the CTA, Metra and Pace into one entity or an empowered RTA with the three agencies remaining intact. While consolidation may sound appealing and efficient, proponents of consolidation provide scant details while touting significant cost savings. The Northwest Municipal Conference believes that consolidation would have adverse consequences for the transit services so vital to our region.
Merging the CTA, Metra and Pace, each with its own labor agreements, procedures, debt and legacy costs, would increase overall costs for regional transit. Shifting legacy costs, specifically pension liabilities created by one of the agencies onto a new consolidated body, would not save money but would increase costs for suburban taxpayers.
The more effective strategy — an empowered RTA — would ensure fair, meaningful regional representation while fostering more collaboration and coordination among the service agencies. It would preserve the specialized focus and localized expertise of the service providers.
Talk of consolidating transit governance misdirects attention from the hard conversations that must occur regarding revenue sources and legacy costs to ensure the transit system serves the entire region in the 21st century.
The Northwest Municipal Conference will continue to raise its voice in these difficult conversations and oppose proposed consolidation efforts, which ultimately would compromise transit service for our constituents.
— Karen Darch, president, village of Barrington in the Chicago Tribune
Posted in 220, BACOG, DARCHED, District 220 referendum, Elections, Frau Blücher, Politics, School Districts on November 1, 2024| Leave a Comment »
By Steve Zalusky | Daily Herald
Barrington officials dished out a heaping helping of positivity about the village this week to an audience of brokers, developers, potential tenants, property owners and managers in an effort to promote economic growth.
“Now is the time to be in Barrington,” Village President Karen Darch told the group at Tuesday’s “Be in Barrington” breakfast at the Barrington White House.
The village is hoping to see the former McGonigal’s Pub in Barrington reoccupied soon. | Daily Herald file photo
Village Manager Anderson touted the village’s economic position, highlighting Barrington Aa1 bond rating.
“AAA, the top of the rung, is really reserved for larger communities,” he said. “We’re a stutter step off of that.”
Anderson recapped some additions to the economic landscape — restaurants like Epic Burger, GiGi’s Wine Bar & Bistro, and significant movement in the automotive sector, including the relocation of the Cadillac dealership to the Motor Werks campus.
He mentioned the addition of 156 residential units within the past seven years, the most recent being a 15-unit condo building on Glendale Avenue.
Car condos will be part of a mixed-use development in Barrington’s “Golden Triangle.” | Steve Zalusky/szalusky@dailyherald.com
Deputy Village Manager Marie Hansen outlined developments on the horizon. They include The Nest, a state-of-the-art child care facility opening this year at 310 E. James St., as well as eight luxury rowhomes at 150 Washington St. Also, a Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin Robbins drive-through will be relocating and opening at 306 W. Northwest Highway.
Read more here.
Related: “Barrington approves TIF for the ‘Golden Triangle’,” “Barrington moves closer to TIF for ‘Golden Triangle’,” “MotorCave Suites: For-sale personal auto museum showrooms and entertainment Spaces for Chicago area collectors,” “Barrington village manager gets 12.5% pay hike,” “Barrington-area leaders tout growth at annual economic summit,” “Barrington pins high hopes on Golden Triangle development,” “Luxury apartments, restaurants. What Barrington might do with its ‘Golden Triangle’,” “Apartments, storage for high-end cars proposed for downtown Barrington”
Posted in 220, Cook, County, Elections, Frau Blücher, Land Use, Politics, Real Estate, School Districts, Topics Of Interest, Traffic on October 1, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Barrington Motor Werks wants to build a Porsche dealership at the corner of Dundee Road and Grove Avenue, | John Starks
By Steve Zalusky | Daily Herald
Motor Werks received a mixed recommendation from the Barrington Plan Commission for its proposal to build additional dealerships at its Barrington campus.
Commission members Monday recommended the village board approve a new Porsche dealership at the corner of Dundee Road and Grove Avenue and expansion to its main facility.
But commissioners balked at endorsing a proposed luxury car dealership and a parking structure with a restaurant and retail use.
Barrington Motor Werks wants to build a Porsche dealership at the corner of Dundee Road and Grove Avenue, across from the homes on the bottom right. The Barrington Plan Commission Monday recommended village approval for the Porsche dealership and an expansion to the main facility, but held off recommending approval of a proposed luxury dealership and a parking structure. | John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Commissioners want more details, especially since the dealer said the parking structure would take five to 10 years to build. Meanwhile, the timeline for the luxury dealership would depend on Motor Werks finding the right brand partner.
“I’m fine with the idea of another luxury dealership there, but not without some idea as to what it’s going to look like,” said commissioner Robert Windon.
Motor Werks attorney Betsy Gates-Alford said the plan was to get site approval and then return later for architectural approval.
Residents who live near the site voiced concerns about noise from car alarms in the early morning hours to transport trucks unloading vehicles.
Read more here.
Posted in 220, Agendas, Barrington Education Association, Barrington High School, Board of Education, Countryside Elementary School, Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Elections, Ethics, Frau Blücher, His Master's Voice, Immigration, Organizations, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, School Districts, Taxes, Unions, Video Streaming, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on October 1, 2024| Leave a Comment »
The District 220 Board of Education meets this evening at 6:00 PM at the District Administration Center, 515 W. Main Street. Items on their agenda include:
A copy of the agenda can be viewed here. The meeting will be live-streamed on the district YouTube channel.
Posted in Cook, County, DARCHED, Elections, Frau Blücher, Land Use, Politics, Real Estate, Taxes, Traffic on September 30, 2024| Leave a Comment »
A rendering of the Porsche dealership proposed on the Motor Werks of Barrington campus. | Courtesy of the Village of Barrington
The Village of Barrington Plan Commission will be holding a special meeting this evening beginning at 6:30 PM at Barrington’s White House – 3rd Floor at 145 W. Main Street. The primary topic on their agenda is:
PC 24‐02: 1475 S. Barrington Road, 18 E. Dundee Road, 20 E. Dundee Road; (PINs: 01-12-400-001) and E. Dundee Road (inventory parking lot) – Continued Public Hearing
The Petitioner is seeking approval of a special use planned development amendment for the construction of two (2) new car dealership/service centers, an addition to the main dealership building and a standalone parking structure as well as related site improvements including but not limited to parking, lighting, landscaping, signage, etc.
The agenda can be viewed and downloaded here
Related: “Barrington gearing up for more discussion of Motor Werks expansion,” “Barrington neighbors push back on Motor Werks car dealership’s efforts to expand,” “Neighbors give Barrington auto dealership proposal the works (Werks),” “Barrington neighbors blast plan for Porsche dealership,” “Motor Werks looking to expand in Barrington”
Posted in BACOG, Cook, County, Elections, Frau Blücher, News Media, Politics, Property Taxes, Real Estate, Taxes, Topics Of Interest on September 22, 2024| Leave a Comment »
By Steve Zalusky | Daily Herald
The Motor Werks auto dealership’s proposed expansion of its Barrington campus will undergo further scrutiny by village officials and residents next week.
The plan commission will reconvene Sept. 30 as it considers the proposal, which calls for the new Porsche facility, a parking garage with restaurant and retail elements, an expanded showroom and another high-end dealership to the site on Dundee Road between Barrington Road and Grove Avenue.
The site plan for the proposed expansion of the Motor Werks of Barrington campus. | Courtesy of Barrington
The proposal has met with vocal opposition from residents of the surrounding neighborhoods in Barrington and Inverness, many of whom attended the commission’s meeting last week.
They shared frustrations with disturbances associated with trucks delivering cars and car alarms going off in the dealership’s parking lot.
Commission Chair Anna Markley Bush added to the complaints.
“I’m one of those people who lives in that neighborhood, and I am here to tell you that every morning there’s a truck someplace. And they do make noise at night, and the brakes do squeal,” she said.
She also recalled how someone test driving a Mercedes convertible through the Park Barrington subdivision at about 60 mph almost hit her husband and their dog (oops!).
Read more here.
Related: “Barrington neighbors push back on Motor Werks car dealership’s efforts to expand,” “Neighbors give Barrington auto dealership proposal the works (Werks),” “Barrington neighbors blast plan for Porsche dealership,” “Motor Werks looking to expand in Barrington”
Posted in Cook, County, Elections, Frau Blücher, Lighting Ordinance, News Media, Politics, Property Taxes, Real Estate, Taxes, Topics Of Interest on September 18, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Some Barrington, Illinois neighbors are pushing back on Motor Werks car dealership’s efforts to expand near Dundee Road and Grove Avenue.
By John Garcia | ABC7 Chicago
BARRINGTON, Ill. (WLS) — There is a fight to stop the expansion of a suburban car dealership.
Motor Werks in north suburban Barrington wants to expand its campus near the corner of Dundee Road and Grove Avenue.
Neighbors say large vehicle transport trucks roll down their residential streets all day, and even overnight. They are heading to and from the car dealership, one of the largest in the state.
“There is a noise issue definitely. Car carriers are here 24/7, 365,” neighbor Lisa Wax said.
Wax looks out from her house at the edge of the Motor Werks property. The luxury car dealership has six high-end brands, and has grown dramatically over the last 40 years. Another neighbor has recorded video of car alarms going off at all hours of the day.
Motor Werks is asking the village for zoning variations that would allow them to add several more buildings, including a four-story indoor parking structure with space for about 700 cars, as well as a restaurant and retail space.
Owner Mario Murgado plans to ask Barrington’s Planning Board for a zoning change to allow the construction.
“I want to be able to develop this, enhance it, let it be part of the tapestry of this community, and, at the same time, make sure this business evolves,” Murgado said.
Story, plus a video report, continues here.
Related: “Neighbors give Barrington auto dealership proposal the works (Werks),” “Barrington neighbors blast plan for Porsche dealership,” “Motor Werks looking to expand in Barrington”
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