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Archive for the ‘Land Use’ Category

Arnold Randall

Arnold Randall, the general administrator of the Cook County Forest Preserve District, addresses the audience at the forest preserve’s public meeting in June of 2014 on what should be done with Horizon Farms at Countryside Elementary School. (Daily Herald Staff Photographer)

By Eric Peterson | Daily Herald

Cook County Forest Preserve District General Superintendent Arnold Randall has announced plans to step down next month, ending a distinct and productive 13-year tenure.

He will become the next executive director of the Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelly Foundation, whose mission is supporting land conservation, artistic vitality and the regional collections of often overlooked people in the Chicago region and the Lowcountry of South Carolina.

ince Randall’s appointment by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, the forest preserve district has forged an ambitious Next Century Conservation Plan, celebrated its centennial, developed new strategic plans for its trails and habitat restoration, strengthened its partnerships including through the creation of an advisory Conservation and Policy Council, and opened five new campgrounds.

Randall credited Preckwinkle for providing the political will to improve the reputation of all aspects of Cook County government, including ending the practice of making the forest preserves a patronage dumping ground and embracing its original mission of land conservation and investment in equitable accessibility to natural areas.

About 15% of today’s trail system in the county’s preserves has been built during Randall’s tenure.

“The trails get millions and millions of visitors,” he said. “We recognized that improving that trail system was very important. … We looked at places where there had been a historic lack of investment.”

Read more here.

Related: Forest Preserves of Cook County Fully Opens Northwest Cook County’s Horizon Farm Preserve

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RCBH

“RCBH BRIDLE PATH ETIQUETTE AND RULES

The bridle paths include both public trails on county-owned property and private trails in Barrington Hills. Over 150 miles of these paths are maintained by the Riding Club of Barrington Hills. Everyone with a Forest Preserve of Cook County tag for their horse and license for the rider can take advantage of the public trails maintained by the Riding Club of Barrington Hills in the Cook County Forest Preserves. Trails located outside the Forest Preserve are for the exclusive use of Riding Club of Barrington Hills members and guests by stipulation of the land owners where these trails are located.

RCBH TRAILS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY – When the Riding Club of Barrington Hills (RCBH) was established in 1937, an informal agreement was entered into by neighbors, whereby mounted members of the Riding Club could traverse the landowners’ properties on horseback. Almost 80 years later, that relationship still exists. Our relationship, by its very nature, is a delicate one, we therefore ask you to follow the bridle path rules, to ensure that our system will continue to be viable.

  1. Riders must be current RCBH members in order to ride on the private trails, however RCBH members may bring a guest when they ride. The host club member is responsible for ensuring that their guest has signed the required waiver form before riding. Waiver can be found in the directory and is also available on our website https://ridingclubofbarringtonhills.org/online-waiver/
  2. Follow the RCBH bridle path markers, always stay on marked trail, be respectful of the trails and don’t ride if conditions would cause damage or leave hoof prints on the lawn. Don’t litter and where possible consider picking up manure after you ride.
  3. Current RCBH bridle tags must be displayed at all times when riding on private trails.
  4. Private bridle trails are for mounted riders only, no dogs, motorized vehicles or pedestrians allowed.
  5. If you open a gate, close it.
  6. Private trails are walk only.

RCBH TRAILS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY

The Riding Club of Barrington Hills maintains 65+ miles of trails within the Forest Preserve District of Cook County (FPDCC) properties. These are multi-use trails. Riding on FPDCC trails is by permit only: to obtain these permits, please go to their website at https://fpdcc.com/things-to-do/equestrian/. Rules for riding in the FPDCC are available on their website at https://fpdcc.com/about/rules-regulations/.

IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO CLEAR A PATH YOURSELF, PLEASE REPORT BLOCKED TRAIL TO THE TRAIL REP IN YOUR SECTOR.

TRAIL REPS ARE LISTED IN THE RCBH DIRECTORY AND ON OUR WEBSITE UNDER TRAILS.

The Sponsor certifies that the Applicant has adequate knowledge of the RCBH Bridle Path Rules to join the Club by entering information below and clicking [Submit]

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DD

32W939 Algonquin Road

The Village Zoning Board of Appeals meets this evening at 6:30 PM. Topics on their agenda include:

  • [VOTE] APPEAL: VETERINARY CLINIC USE IN B3 GENERAL BUSINESS DISTRICT (32W939 Algonquin Road)
  • CODE MODIFICATION DISCUSSION – RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AND RENEWABLE ENERGY, and
  • [VOTE] RULES FOR REMOTE PARTICIPATION

A copy of their agenda can be viewed and downloaded here.

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RCBH-logo-4-830x455The Barrington Hills Park District Board will hold their monthly meeting this evening in person and via Zoom at 7:00 PM. The only item of note on their agenda is a, “Truth in Taxation Ordinance,” and, of course, no further information is provided. Truth without transparency is worthless.

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

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ZBA 10.24 Spec

The Village Zoning Board of Appeals meets this evening at 6:30 PM. Topics on their agenda include:

PUBLIC HEARING

  • Variation Application Pursuant to Section 5-3-9(F)1 of the Village Code allowing a solid fence six feet in height at 32 Oak Knoll Road

PUBLIC MEETING

  • [Vote] Appeal: Veterinary Clinic Use in B3 General Business District
  • [Vote] Variation Application Pursuant to Section 5-3-9(F)1 of the Village Code allowing a solid fence six feet in height at 32 Oak Knoll Road, AND
  • Code Modification Discussion – Recreational Vehicles and Renewable Energy

A copy of their agenda can be viewed and downloaded here.

AUDIO OPTIONS  
Dial: 312-626-6799 and enter meeting ID 889-5617-0602
Link: Zoom Meeting ID 889-5617-0602; Passcode 849920

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Spring Creek

Volunteers at Spring Creek Forest Preserve

By A.D. Quig | Chicago Tribune

Flush with money after voters authorized a fresh property tax hike, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle pitched next year’s Forest Preserves budget Tuesday as the start of “a new era.”

“For the first time in a long time, it is not the budget of an agency in a holding pattern, keeping long-term, pressing needs at bay,” Preckwinkle said Tuesday. “For fiscal year 2024, we are moving forward, and there is only more on the horizon for the residents and visitors of Cook County.”

Three years ago, Preckwinkle pitched a pandemic austerity budget that tapped into the forest preserves’ rainy day fund. Then-Commissioner Larry Suffredin highlighted the district’s “precarious” financial state and warned officials may have to sell off land owned by the forest preserve district to stay afloat

In the summer of 2021, Preckwinkle and the district board — whose members are the same as the Cook County Board — paved the way for county voters to say “yes” or “no” to a property tax hike that would raise money to help maintain the 70,000 acres of green lands, trails and water.

Last November, after a concerted campaign by preserves boosters, voters overwhelmingly authorized a 0.025% increase in the preserves’ property tax levy, raising an additional $40 million that officials said they would be spent on maintenance at facilities such as the Chicago Botanic Garden and Brookfield Zoo, land restoration and pension payments.

The 2024 budget is the second year with extra funding in place. This year’s budget was amended after voters approved the referendum. On Tuesday, Preckwinkle proposed an $188.7 million budget for the district in 2024, an increase of 34% from this year’s pre-referendum proposal.

Read more here.

Related:Barrington Hills Park District soliciting recommendations regarding, ‘Future development of Horizon Farm and Spring Creek’

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RCBH Track

Per the Barrington Hills Park District website:

“Forest Preserve Master Plan Presentation for Horizon Farm & Spring Creek

When: Nov. 8, 2023 – 7:00 p.m.

Where: The Riding (Club’s) Meeting Room, 361 Bateman Road, Barrington Hills

What:  The Forest Preserve District of Cook County (FPDCC) developed a long-term, comprehensive master plan for Horizon Farm and Spring Creek which they will share with the public.

You are welcome to attend the meeting to learn the details of how this plan addresses conservation and recreational issues.

Share your thoughts with the forest preserve about their future development of Horizon Farm and Spring Creek. The Park District will present your comments to the Forest Preserve representatives.”

Editorial note: It’s concerning recommendations are being sent to the Park District only instead copying officials at the Forest Preserves of Cook County.

Therefore, we strongly encourage residents save their suggestions submitted to the Park District, and utilize the official Forest Preserves of Cook County “Contact Form” to directly communicate those recommendations under the, ”Planning and Development,” category. Make sure your comments reference, “Future development of Horizon Farm and Spring Creek.”

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RCBH Track

The Barrington Hills Park District Board will hold their monthly meeting this evening in person and via Zoom at 7:00 PM. Their meeting is scheduled to start with a Forest Preserve Master Plan Presentation for Horizon Farm & Spring Creek.

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

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racetrack-2048x2048

When: Oct 11, 2023, 7:00 p.m.

Where: The Riding Club Meeting Room, 361 Bateman Road, Barrington Hills.

What: The Forest Preserves of Cook County developed a long-term, comprehensive master plan for Horizon Farm and Spring Creek which they will share with the public.

You are welcome to attend the meeting to learn the details of how this plan addresses conservation and recreational issues.

Related:  “Horse lovers trying to save racetrack at Horizon Farm Forest Preserve, while bird and nature lovers question the impact,” “Forest Preserves of Cook County Fully Opens Northwest Cook County’s Horizon Farm Preserve,” “Park District hosting February 8th Cook County Forest Preserve District discussion,” “FPDCC holding Horizon Farm public meeting June 14th,” “FPDCC presents Horizon Farm update,” “Decadelong legal battle over Barrington Hills horse farm — eyed as huge forest preserve — may be nearing resolution

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VBH Entrance

PUBLIC HEARING Before the Zoning Board of Appeals Village of Barrington Hills Re: 32 Oak Knoll Road, Barrington Hills, IL Application for Variation Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing will be held at a Special Meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village of Barrington Hills, commencing at 6:30 PM, October 24, 2023, concerning an application for a variation pursuant to section 5-3-9(F)1 of the Village Code allowing a solid fence six feet in height at the property bearing the address of 32 Oak Knoll Road, Barrington Hills, Illinois.

A copy of the application for zoning relief is available for examination in the Clerk’s office by appointment and will also be included in the agenda packet. The agenda will post no later than the end of the day on October 20, 2023 at www.vbhil.gov.

All those interested will be given an opportunity to be heard. Written comments on the application will be made part of the record of this proceeding, and questions posed in such comment will be asked. All written comments should be mailed/emailed to the Village Clerk to be received by 3:00 PM, October 24, 2023.

By: Village Clerk Village of Barrington Hills 112 Algonquin Road Barrington Hills, IL 60010 clerk@vbhil.gov Published in Daily Herald September 30, 2023 (4606144), posted 09/30/2023

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