Welcome to the Barrington Hills
Community News and Information Website
Barrington Hills is an equestrian community approximately 40 miles northwest of Chicago, Illinois straddling across parts of four counties - Cook, Kane, Lake and McHenry. The population as of the 2010 Census is 4209. The village has roots from early settlers in the 1830s and incorporated as a Village in 1957. Residential properties of 5 acre zoning with agricultural and horse farms welcomed within the community.
Welcome and thank you for visiting the Barrington Hills Village News and Information Home Page. If you have suggestions for content, news and photos to share, please send e-mail to the Village Clerk at clerk@barringtonhills-il.gov. We want to hear from you! Share our email address and the Village Mega Portal address www.barringtonhills-il.gov, with friends and family members. The Mega Portal Page is our front door to Barrington Hills Government, Village News and Information, and the Police Department.
Winter / Spring 2013
Grigsby Prairie Celebrated 25th Anniversary in September 2012
Did you know?
- Grigsby Prairie was the first prairie restoration project undertaken by Citizens for Conservation and volunteers from the community.
- Seeds were first sown at Grigsby Prairie in 1987 and harvested 10 years later to enrich other areas.
- 85 percent of the seeds originally planted in Grigsby Prairie came from along the Chicago and Northwestern railroad tracks – a seed source that no longer exists.
- In 2009, Grigsby Prairie provided approximately 40 pounds of native prairie seed to other sites in the area and 65 pounds of seeds to sites that CFC is actively restoring. Source Quintessential Barrington
“[Grigsby Prairie is] a vibrant kaleidoscope of native prairie flowers, grasses, birds, and insects that serve as an immersion classroom for hundreds of young people and adults each year, not to mention as habitat for rare grassland species of birds, insects, reptiles, and amphibians.” –Wendy Paulson, CFC Consultant
Civil War 150 Years
The Barrington Area Historical Society is hosting lectures and displays about the Civil War. We are the beginning of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War from 1861 to 1865. Barrington Township's center for soldiers to muster in and out of the war was in Barrington Hills. Local historian Gerald Barry has compiled a significant amount of information including selected photos and names of local residents who served. Go to the Barrington Area Library's Barrington Civil War History references online. Please be patient with the download as there are many files.
Civil War Memorial with names of local area residents who served resides at the current site of the Korean Wesleyan
Methodist Church at Old Sutton Road and Dundee Road Highway 68. Photo courtesy of Nancy Schumm
The Korean Wesleyan Church in Barrington Hills is home to a monument with the names of the soldiers from the Barrington Area. At least 10 Civil war soldiers are buried in the cemetery adjacent to the Church grounds. Many more soldiers were buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Barrington. Watch for additional photos and check our calendar for news and local events in the coming months. A new Civil War History Page will be developed to celebrate the 150 year anniversary.
Rededication of the Commemorative Plaque July 1, 2012 Photo B. Kemp
The Village of Barrington Hills held a Civil War re-enactment at the Village Hall grounds in 2007. Go to the Civil War History Page for 2007 to see those photos.
ZBA June Public Hearing
A public Hearing is scheduled Monday June 18th before the Zoning Board of Appeals to consider a text amendment of the Zoning Code provision for home occupation as it applies to the breeding, raising, training and boarding of horses. The text is the basis for the public hearing before the ZBA and can be found at this [link]
A text amendment is a change limited to specific provisions and in this instance being Section 5-3-4 “Home Occupation” of the Zoning Code and does not affect other zoning provisions or the Village Code. When the ZBA considers a text amendment, it shall give due allowance for existing conditions, the conservation of property values, the directions of building development to the best advantage of the entire Village, and the uses to which property is devoted at the time.
The proposed text amendment does not change the stated intent of the Home Occupation provision of the Zoning Code which is to provide peace, quiet and domestic tranquility within all residential neighborhoods within the Village and in order to guarantee to all residents freedom from nuisances, fire hazards, excessive noise, light and traffic, and other possible effects of business or commercial business uses being conducted in residential districts. It is further the intent of the Home Occupation to regulate the operation of a home occupation so that the general public will be unaware of its existence. A home occupation is to be conducted in neither a manner which gives an outward appearance nor manifest characteristics which would infringe upon the right of neighboring residents to enjoy the peaceful occupancy of their dwelling.
A text amendment should be consistent with the provision of the [Comprehensive Plan] and adopted from time to time in support of the Comprehensive Plan. Community character as describe in the Plan has six fundamental components: (1) protecting scarce and critical environmental resources - especially groundwater; (2) maintaining limited municipal services supplemented by individual responsibilities; (3) preserving a community character which provides personal opportunities consistent with a countryside environment; (4) perpetuating the keeping of horses and agricultural activities as a viable element of the community, along with the expansion of the interwoven open space and equestrian trail system; (5) protecting property from vehicular traffic, noise and equestrian to vehicular conflicts by limiting road capacity and arterial road penetration through the open countryside; and (6) preserve the 5 acre lot pattern.
The ZBA may, following the public testimony at the hearing, arrive at a decision to include all, some or completely different text in an amendment to be submitted to the Board of Trustees for their consideration.
After receiving the recommendation and documentation from the ZBA, customarily the Trustee whose committee assignment includes the ZBA introduces a motion at a public meeting of the Board of Trustees to consider the adoption of the text amendment. The public record of the proceeding before the ZBA is considered by the BOT. If the Zoning Board has recommended changes to the proposed text, the BOT reviews the changes and a Trustee may introduce them as an amendment. Unless the BOT approves the motion, the text amendment does not pass.
Spring Creek Watershed
Barrington Hills is a member of the Spring Creek Watershed SCW. Nancy Schumm has contributed an article on this latest effort for local Conservation. Go to the Community Conservation Page for all of the details of the partners and the grant that has been awarded to fund the work.
Bicycle Safety Reminders
Warm weather has increased the number of joggers and bicyclists on the Village roadways. Please be mindful of the narrow roads and need for extra safety precautions. Bicycles and Horses are sharing roads. Give the riders extra berth as you drive. Bicycle and other resident Information click here.
Resident Information Information
For resident information go to the Resident Information part of the Website, email the Village Clerk clerk@barringtonhills-il.gov putting Resident Info into the header to get a handy brochure to put by your phone. You will receive information on how to locate a trash recycle solution, how to reach your trustees and village officials, and information on utilities and some of the key ordinances pertinent to owning a home and living in the Village.
Park District Information
For resident information related to the Countryside Park District within the Village and other neighboring park information go to the Resident Information part of the Website.
McHenry County Zoning Ordinance Meetings
McHenry County invites residents to participate in open forums and meetings to address changes to their Zoning Ordinances in accordance with the objectives and goals set forth in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan.
County residents are interested in Lighting, Water Management, Open Spaces, Cell Towers and new technology such as Wind Turbines and Solar Panels. Residents want information about building requirements, agricultural and equestrian land and related topics. The County Board will finalize Zoning Ordinances based on the recommendations.
Public participation is important; watch for future news. Link to the article in the Village News section of the Website. More links are provided directly to McHenry County's website.
Weather
Barrington Hills uses the services of "Weather Underground" to keep residents informed of the current conditions within the Village. The connection from this website uses that service. You can always find out the latest weather while you are online.
Residents with photos you would like to share reflecting the the unique weather conditions within the village, are encouraged to mail them to the Village clerk with a notation of the location, photographer and weather conditions. Send them to: clerk@barringtonhills-il.com
Get Ready for Spring
The Village of Barrington Hills celebrates Spring.
Now is the time to check your culverts and make sure water from spring rains can flow properly through your property and ensure nothing is preventing good flow to and from your neighbors land.
Refer to the Village Tree Ordinances when considering tree removal. Certain trees are protected.
The Citizens for Conservation are always looking for support to remove invasive species; the Village Calendar includes fun events and the opportunity to volunteer.
The Village Beautification Committee sponsors activities throughout the year to clean up public roads within the Village and maintain historical sites.
.The Trustees are seeking volunteers for committees and commissions on a regular basis.
|
|
Barrington Hills History and Photos
A significant part of the beauty and social aspect of the village is reflected on History Pages. The Village Photo Gallery has photos from village events current and past.
|
