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 Algonquin Rd, Animal Welfare, Deception, Don't Change Barrington Hills, Elections, Ethics, Horse Boarding, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, LeCompte/Anderson Commercial Horse boarding amendment, New Normal?, Perjury, Politics, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Resident Spotlights, Save 5 Acres, Topics Of Interest, Village Attorney, Village Government, WTF on October 3, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Daily Herald File Photo, 2011
A state appeals court has upheld a Cook County judge’s 2023 ruling in a civil case stemming from a lengthy dispute between Barrington Hills neighbors over a horse-boarding business.
A three-judge panel on Monday unanimously affirmed Judge David B. Atkins’ decision against James J. Drury III, who’d sued Barrington Hills in 2015 over a zoning ordinance establishing rules for boarding businesses in the equestrian-friendly town. Drury alleged the ordinance was unconstitutional; Atkins disagreed.
The appeals court found Atkins made no errors and that the evidence presented at trial “fully supported” his conclusion.
Also listed as plaintiffs are Jack E. Reich and James T. O’Donnell, both of whom were Barrington Hills residents at the time the lawsuit was filed. An attorney for the plaintiffs couldn’t be reached.
Mary Dickson, an attorney for the village, declined to comment on the appellate ruling. Mayor Brian D. Cecola and trustees haven’t yet met to review the decision, Dickson said.
The ruling was the latest development in a legal fight that dates back to the 2000s between Drury and neighbors Benjamin and Cathleen LeCompte, who at the time operated a commercial boarding operation at their Oakwood Farms, 362 Bateman Road. Drury — the former leader of a polo club that once used LeCompte’s polo field — alleged the business disrupted the neighborhood.
In 2015, the village amended zoning rules to allow commercial horse boarding as an agricultural use. But after the board’s composition changed as a result of the spring 2015 election, trustees repealed the ordinance.
In his lawsuit, Drury alleged the now-repealed zoning rules resulted from political corruption, pointing to $5,000 campaign donations Benjamin LeCompte made to trustee candidates in the 2011 village election. Those donations were refunded after the Illinois State Board of Elections determined the candidates didn’t properly identify LeCompte as the donor in campaign reports.
The appellate court agreed with Atkins’ ruling that the donations didn’t represent a political conspiracy and didn’t affect the creation of the ordinance.
“The court found no connection whatsoever to LeCompte or anything diabolical in nature,” the court said. “LeCompte’s donation was perfectly legitimate.”
The case continued after the 2015 ordinance was struck down. Oakwood Farms still operates and is run by the couple’s daughter, Ashlee, its website indicates.
More here.
Posted in Agendas, Animal Welfare, Barrington Hills Polo Club, Clown Car, Commercial Horse Boarding, Cook, County, ePacket agendas, Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Horse Boarding, Land Use, LeCompte/Anderson Commercial Horse boarding amendment, Mad Cows, Mówimy po polsku, Politics, Property Taxes, Public Hearing, Riding Club Commission, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Save 5 Acres, Topics Of Interest, Traffic, Transparency, Unions, Village Code, Village Director of Administration, Village Government, WTF, Zoning Board on August 18, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Our Zoning Board of Appeals will be holding their regular monthly meeting tomorrow evening beginning at 6:30 PM. Topics on their agenda include:
Public Hearing
Public Meeting
A copy of the 100-page agenda can be viewed and downloaded here.
Editorial note: The two (2) public hearing notices published in the Daily Herald listed the PIN for 350 Bateman Road as 01- 07-200-001. The agenda for tomorrow’s meeting also states, “350 Bateman Road, PIN 01- 07-200-001.”
However, the notice sign (seen at top) on the subject property we photographed Friday clearly reads, “350 Bateman Road, PIN 01-06-401-014.” Not to pick at nits, but that isn’t even close.
Related: “Zoning Board Public Hearing (Take two) scheduled August 19th,” “Special Zoning Board of Appeals meeting tonight,” “Special Zoning Board Public Hearing scheduled for July 17th”
Posted in Agendas, Animal Welfare, Barbarian Migrants in Busses at the Gate, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, Clown Car, Commercial Horse Boarding, Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Elections, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, FRVPC, Goat Rodeo, Horizon Farm, Horse Boarding, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, LeCompte/Anderson Commercial Horse boarding amendment, Look For The Union Label, Mad Cows, Massbach Hounds, Organizations, Plan Commission, Politics, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Riding Center Advisory Committee, Riding Club Commission, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Topics Of Interest, Traffic, Transparency, Unions, Village Code, Village Director of Administration, Village Government, Zoning Board on May 23, 2024| Leave a Comment »
The Village Equestrian (Riding Club) Commission is scheduled to meet for the first time since September 7, 2022, tomorrow at 1 PM at Village Hall (not the Riding Center). The sole topic on their agenda is, “Equestrian Trails Discussion.”
A copy of their agenda can be viewed here. Minutes from their last meeting have not been released as of this posting.
Editorial note: The Commission (Club) was scheduled to meet in less than two weeks on June 3rd. After nearly two years of inactivity (publicly, at least), one might question what precipitated this special meeting right before a holiday?
Word has it recordings from Monday’s Plan Commission meeting might shed some light on this once they are released.
Related: “Riding Club makes their annual pitch for renewing”
Posted in Algonquin Rd, Animal Welfare, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, Commercial Horse Boarding, DARCHED, Don't Change Barrington Hills, Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, FRVPC, HARPS, 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, Organizations, Politics, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Resident Spotlights, Riding Center Advisory Committee, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, SOS Party, The Other Half, Topics Of Interest, Transparency, Unions, WTF, Your Barrington Hills on April 5, 2024| 1 Comment »
Following are minutes from a March 6th, 1971 Riding Club of Barrington Hills board meeting. Handwritten notes title the topic as:
“Owen Fairweather: outlined the impact of the heavy tax load on the economy of the financial operations of the Club. He demonstrated how the adoption of the proposed plan to place the Center under the aegis of the Park District would free money that could then be used to expand the facilities of the Center property, adequate paddock areas, for example and make the Center a more attractive facility for larger numbers of the area people. He said the officers and directors had studied every aspect of the proposal together with the conceivable alternatives for a long time and that he and they would welcome dialogue hopefully to gain the permission of the Club membership to finalize the arrangement with the Park District.
Owen presented and read three items pertaining to the proposed transfer:
Item one – a letter to the members of the Board of the Park District of Barrington Hills;
Item two – a proposed resolution that might be adopted by the Park District to implement the formal transfer and
Item three – a “reverter clause” limiting use of the Center facility to “horseback riding purposes and, for purposes of Boarding horses only”.
Two aspects rendering such a transfer desirable are:
a) an end to our tax load with the added and also very desirable possibility that gifts to the Center operation could be tax deductible. This would attract substantial amounts from persons in this area, Owen added.
b) perhaps the tax remission could be made retroactive for the past year leaving us some $7,000 to the good.
Owen averred that without the tax relief promised by the Park District our path leads nowhere but downhill into the hands of the professional tax buyers.
Discussion ensued as to the degree to which the actions of current Board of the Park District might bind future Boards. Fear was expressed that in years to come should the complexion of that Board shift away from an understanding and appreciation of the horse in the community emphasis might be directed into other types of activity (i.e. tennis courts etc.) deleterious to the interests of the horse-oriented groups. Owen said that some latitude must be allowed to make room for future understanding by all parties but that in any dire event our aforesaid “reverter clause” stands as our protection to any radical deviation from the riding and boarding concepts for the entire operation. If plans are announced for undesirable uses of the property we can, under the clause, recover our property.
Mr. Holtzer asked what the reaction of the part of the community not interested in horses might be to having their Park District invest their funds in a horse-oriented activity. Owen explained that the Park District will, undoubtedly be faced with choices among a variety of interests as time goes on and will accommodate and help these interests in the order of their desirability and interest in the community in a balanced deployment of available money. The Park District, he said, is less a politically oriented body than the Village Board and less vulnerable to shifting tides of pressure from different groups.
There will be no major change in the operating procedures involving Jack as the Management Committee consisting entirely of people related directly to horsemen and their activities will work with him, honor his contract and protect his administration of the Center. (The proposed member of the Management Committee from the Park District Board is a well-known horseman and member of the Mounted Patrol to boot).
In the event that the Center should through some disaster cease to exist in its present form details of settlement would depend upon the insurance and encumbrances effective at the point of transfer.
Some confusion seemed to exist about the relationship between the Riding Club and the Riding Center as separate entities. It was explained that the Park District proposal relates only to the Center property. The Riding Club would continue to be an entirely separate organization with its dues income, trail maintenance and other activities separate from Park District control.
Discussion returned via a question from Ed Holtzer as to the possible future change in personnel on the Park District and the impact inherent in the appearance of a person or persons not horse oriented. Julian Hansen that the reverter clause would be binding but that no political body could possible, agree to certain nominees being selected down through all future years. Owen added that a certain amount of reliance on the honest intentions of the Park District spokesman must be entertained as their commitment has to be an implied one not a legal one. However, once again, the reverter clause is a legally binding and viable barrier to any deviation from the exclusiveness of horse related use of the Center property.
It was explained that the Park District will have no control or relationship to our riding trails; just to the barn and the surrounding fifteen acres of land.
Rob McCullagh noted that Park District ownership of the Center would be a valuable protective feature. The Center is surrounded entirely by the Forest Preserve who might undertake to acquire it from the Riding Club. Or the Forest Preserve might install a large public parking lot or other unwelcome public activity proximate to the Center property and the Riding Club as such might find it difficult in a political atmosphere to defend against such encroachments on our environment. The Park District being a politically oriented entity would be in a much more feasible position to erect defenses against such moves. A tentative plan for a Forest Preserve parking area is considering (installation of) a parking area about two years from now.
Mr. Scott asked if Riding Club dues automatically entitle one to use of the Center facility. No-such usage is arranged for by payment of use fees.
Ralph O’Neil outlined the clearly individual segments of the Riding Club/Riding Center relationship:
a) The Center will be on its own, the property of the the Park District of Barrington Hills, operated by Jack Arnold and administered by the Management Committee as defined and peopled in Item 2, Section 7 on page 2 (of the item) where the committee makeup is set forth.
b) The Riding Club of Barrington Hills as we have always known it with its own dues income, Horse Show, trail rides and other activities and the riding trail system. Riding Club income will continue to be applied to Riding Club debts, mortgages and other obligations.
Rob added the observation that the Center is not supported by Riding Club dues–many members do not use the Center and such support would be unfair to them, for one thing.
Owen felt that the people on the Park District Board are all dedicated to the concept of providing healthy, recreational activity facilities for the people of Barrington Hills. In any form of such activity they will play a major role in providing for the people facilities for the type of activity for which a demonstrable need and demand exists. As time goes. on this might include any of a number of activities in various parts of the area. In this particular instance an arrangement is contemplated around a demonstrated need and demand for a financially viable horse riding and horse boarding center and the desires of that segment of the population will be met.
In the process and to insure the proper control and management in a type of activity demanding great expertise, experience and understanding it is arranged through a management group made up of representatives of the established horse clubs to provide the proper control of the activity. In other areas of activity it is presumed that similarly sophisticated control groups will serve in like capacity.
Owen explained that in fact the same individuals will be managing overall affairs at the Center that are now performing that function and that Win Alberts, of the Park District Board, is of the same ilk.”
We’ll have some thoughts to share on this at a later date.
A copy of the minutes can be found here. A copy of the deeds that resulted can be found here.
Posted in Agendas, Algonquin Rd, Barbarian Migrants in Busses at the Gate, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, Bicyclists, Big Brother, Big Red, BraveHearts, Clown Car, Conflict of interest, Countryside Elementary School, Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Don't Change Barrington Hills, Dumb and Dumber, Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, FRVPC, Goat Rodeo, Horizon Farm, Horse Boarding, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, LeCompte/Anderson Commercial Horse boarding amendment, Lighting Ordinance, Longmeadow Parkway, Mad Cows, New Normal?, Open Meetings Act, Organizations, Politics, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Riding Center Advisory Committee, Riding Club Commission, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, The Other Half, Transparency, Unions, Village Code, Your Barrington Hills, Zoning Board on March 13, 2024| 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 7:00 PM. Some items on their agenda include:
A copy of their agenda can be viewed here. Instructions for accessing the meeting remotely can be found here
Posted in Agendas, Animal Welfare, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, Big Red, Countryside Elementary School, Deception, Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Financial Statements, Fox River Valley Hunt, FRVPC, Goat Rodeo, Horizon Farm, Horse Boarding, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), LeCompte/Anderson Commercial Horse boarding amendment, Lighting Ordinance, Mad Cows, Massbach Hounds, Politics, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Riding Center Advisory Committee, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, The Other Half, Transparency, Unions, Well Water Quality on January 24, 2024| Leave a Comment »
“Barrington Hills Park District 364 Bateman Road Barrington, IL 60010 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO THE LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE BARRINGTON HILLS PARK DISTRICT COOK, LAKE AND MCHENRY COUNTIES The Board of Park Commissioners for the Barrington Hills Park District has adopted a Tentative Combined Annual Budget and Appropriation Ordinance, a copy which is available for public inspection by contacting the administrative assistant at 847-783-6772.
Public Hearing will be held on: Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 6:45pm Barrington Hills Riding Center Meeting Room, 361 Bateman Road Barrington Hills, IL 60010. Any individual with a disability requiring a reasonable accommodation to participate in this meeting should contact the Administrative Assistant within a reasonable time prior to the meeting at Barrington Hills Park District Riding Center, office@bhillsparkd.org, 1-847-783-6772.“
Posted in Agendas, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, Big Red, Commercial Horse Boarding, Countryside Elementary School, Deception, Ethics, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, FRVPC, FUBAR, Goat Rodeo, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, LeCompte/Anderson Commercial Horse boarding amendment, Mad Cows, Massbach Hounds, Politics, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Riding Center Advisory Committee, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Transparency, Unions on November 8, 2023| Leave a Comment »
The 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.
Posted in Agendas, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, Deception, Don't Change Barrington Hills, Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, FRVPC, Goat Rodeo, Horizon Farm, Horse Boarding, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), LeCompte/Anderson Commercial Horse boarding amendment, Massbach Hounds, Politics, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Riding Center Advisory Committee, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Save 5 Acres, Taxes, Transparency, Unions on November 1, 2023| Leave a Comment »
The Forest Preserve District of Cook County will present their long-term plans December 13th at Barrington’s White House.
The Barrington Hills Park District (Riding Club) posted the following on October 20th after previously publishing this meeting occur on November 8th:
“Share your thoughts about future development of Horiszon Farm and Spring Creek. The Park District will present your comments to the Forest Preserve representatives.
The next Forest Preserve Presentation will be:
Dec. 13, 2023 at 7:00 pm
Please note this is a change in date and location
Where:
Barrington’s White House
145 W. Main Street, Barrington, IL 60010
224.512.4284
Barrington White House
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.
Learn more information about the FPDCC’s Master Plan.p”
As we shared in a previous post, “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.’”
Posted in Barrington Hills Park District, BH Polo Club, Commercial Horse Boarding, Contests, Cook, County, Deception, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, FRVPC, Goat Rodeo, Horizon Farm, Horse Boarding, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, LeCompte/Anderson Commercial Horse boarding amendment, Lighting Ordinance, Longmeadow Parkway, Look For The Union Label, Mad Cows, New Normal?, Politics, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Riding Center Advisory Committee, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Taxes, The Other Half, Transparency, Unions on October 13, 2023| 1 Comment »
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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