The village of Barrington Hills Plan Commission met July 11 to address stormwater retention backup.
Here is the meeting's agenda, as provided by the commission:
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VILLAGE OF BARRINGTON HILLS
Plan Commission Meeting Minutes
Monday, July 11, 2016 ~ 7:30 pm
112 Algonquin Road, Barrington Hills, IL
The Meeting of the Village of Barrington Hills Plan Commission was called to order by Vice Chairman
Pamela Cools at 7:31 pm.
Members Present
Lou Anne Majewski
Kelly Mazeski
Julie Joyce
Arnold Cernik
Pamela Cools
John Gigerich
Curt Crouse
Kim Van Fossan
Member Absent
Kenneth Bosworth
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
J.R. Davis, Chairman of Barrington Hills Farms, commented that he was not notified nor invited to the
meeting but noticed BH Farms was on tonight's agenda. Commissioners were provided with copies of
Barrington Hills Farm LLC - McHenry County Staff Plat Review and Mr. Davis handed to Bob Kosin
items for adjustment recommended by McHenry County to be entered into public record.
PREVIOUS MINUTES:
Review of minutes required some minor corrections including a correction that the rewriting of the
INTENT AND PURPOSE section was done by Commissioners Mazeski and Cools.
Commissioner Majewski abstained. All others accepted by voice.
TREE PRESERVATION ORDINANCE REVIEW:
Commissioner Cools lead the rest of the commission step by step through the draft Tree Preservation
Ordinance (TPO). All were comfortable with revised INTENT AND PURPOSE section.
Robert Kosin explained that the TPO would not be triggered by sick or damaged trees or those
destroyed in other ways unrelated to the removal for construction of something - house, pool, gazebo,
landscaping etc. Trees must be quality and single trees are not pertinent.
No changes for Page 2.
On page 3, definition of growing season changed (word "is" removed).
Commissioner Cools believed the definition of HERITAGE TREES (Page 3) should read "such trees
shall be of "good or excellent condition".
Page 4 contains changes in the (D) escrow. Bob Kosin reiterated that the MINIMUM replacement of a
woodland would be 80" at 10" diameters or 8 trees in an acre. Commissioners Cools and Mazeski
thought a dollar amount should be assigned to DBH for replacement stock. Mr. Kosin believed the
escrow amount should be tree replacement cost without overhead costs. Escrow would be a
Plan Commission Meeting Minutes
Monday, July 11, 2016
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commitment to go forward with the landscape plan. Later in discussion Commissioner Joyce suggested
that resident must comply within 1 year (solidly within growing season). It was decided to omit blue line
"Exception" and section (E) - page 7.
Page 5, no changes.
Page 6, (c) years changed to growing seasons. Discussion about changing dbh to all caps. It was
suggested that a Tree Removal permit sign should be incorporated into ordinance. Mr. Kosin said it we
can put it under General Requirements.
Page 7, 3. (B) change "destroyed" to removed. Omit "Exception" section and Section E.
Discussion ensued regarding staggered planting, i.e., planting Heritage Trees FIRST before other
landscaping. Mr. Kosin argued that because monies are being held in escrow there is little chance that
resident would not follow TRO. Commissioner Gigerich suggested that the escrow amount be
significant so that it will be respected. It was discussed whether escrow should be put up for trees that
'may' be injured during construction.
Page 8, no changes.
Page 9, Mr. Kosin explained section (B) Contribution in-lieu of Replacement. Commissioner Cools felt
this section needed to be more adamant so there is no ambiguity that 'in lieu of' cannot replace
replanting in full. Other ways to use 'in lieu of' were explored. Mr. Kosin explained that remediation
must fulfill public interest and not private.
Arnold Cernik commented that Illinois has severe penalties for co-mingling escrow amounts and
general funds.
It was determined all were satisfied with changes made. Mr. Kosin was to get back to Commissioner
Cools approximate completion date after his conversation with the village attorney.
BARRINGTON HILLS FARM LLC - MCHENRY COUNTY STAFF PLAT REVIEW:
Mr. Kosin gave brief history of property. He explained that Barrington Hills Farms LLC located in
unincorporated McHenry County falls under McHenry County Unified Development Ordinance
adopted in 2014. This ordinance is responsible for developments greater than 20 acres and reviews
permits. A portion of this property adjoins Chapel Road and Village of Barrington Hills has "driveway
ordinance". McHenry County must implement building permits and have a dialogue between County
and Village. Mr. Kosin said the County has been very transparent and applicant provided Village with
plans and reviews.
Commissioner Cools asked if neighbors have been informed of activity. Commissioner Majewski raised
concerns that this enterprise could grow and increase traffic. She is afraid of how an increase in traffic
will impact wetlands and an already flood prone road.
Mr. Kosin stated that McHenry County declined to provide the village with context and standards to
review the project. Barrington Hills building requirements, stormwater drainage requirements and
zoning ordinances do not apply.
Commissioner Cools voiced concern that stormwater retention areas back up to Barrington Hills and
she and Commissioner Majewski believe that the residents are owed transparency and as much
information as is available after the Duda fiasco.
Plan Commission Meeting Minutes
Monday, July 11, 2016
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Mr. Davis explained that their entire parcel is 602 acres and HARPS would have 100 acres designated
for it, but the building site is only 20 acres.
Commissioner Cools asked why the signage says “Barrington Hills Farms”, and not HARPS. Mr. Davis
explained that it was a “scrivener’s error” and the sign would read HARPS as well. he also stated that he
hoped one day in the future that the property could be re-annexed into Barrington Hills.
Commissioner Cools referenced the Comprehensive Plan and felt that the project generally fit with it
nicely, though traffic is a concern and 2 driveways onto the site seems onerous. It was explained that
one is a service driveway, Both would be off Church Road.
Commissioner Mazeski felt that it was not our place or our jurisdiction to be notifying neighbors or
setting precedents. Commissioner Gigerich felt that we should have a vote on the subject, but it was
explained that the Plan Commission could not take a vote on anything that was not designated for a
vote on the Agenda, per the Open Meetings Act.
There was much back and forth on this topic including how to get the word out to residents about the
project, and it was finally agreed that Anna Paul would include an article in the next newsletter.
Commissioner Cools asked Mr. Davis if they had applied for an Illinois Livestock Facilities Permit. Mr.
Davis implied they would do whatever was necessary for the property.
Anna Paul, Village Clerk, said she has received no calls regarding Barrington Hills Farm and told Mr.
Davis if he could provide her with pertinent information she will answer questions she receives.
TRUSTEES REPORT: Trustee Maison was absent but sent word through Anna Paul that the ZBA may
be coming to the Plan Commission for assistance with a horse boarding text amendment.
Commissioner Cools said that Commissioner Cernik had asked for discussion of Village property off
Route 25 to be put on current agenda but it was not. She asked that it be put on next agenda. The
Village is looking for suggested uses of 5 acre parcel to defray property taxes. Suggestions should be
sent to Anna Paul.
A Special Meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 9th at 6:30 pm when the Commission will hopefully
vote on the Heritage Tree Ordinance and discuss Village’s Route 25 property.
Commissioner Joyce asked if Anna had info regarding basketball court construction at Countryside
School, and Anna believed that Countryside had recently picked up a permit for asphalt work.
ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Cools asked for motion to adjourn. Commissioner Gigerich motioned, Mazeski
seconded. All present said aye. Meeting adjourned at 9:29 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kim Van Fossan, Recording Secretary
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