Comprehensive Plan Revisions Are Underway

Barrington's Comprehsive Plan is getting a major overhaul this year.  

The plan is an ongoing effort to address such topics as land use, development and city improvements during public meetings with each of the village's designated areas and update the last comprehensive plan, which was developed in 2000.

Village officials have been meeting with neighborhoods across the area to gather ideas for the plan.  The most recent meeting involved the Center Neighborhood on Sept. 15. 

"We really want to have an opportunity to hear from the public," Village Manager Jeff Lawler said.  "This was to make people aware of the plans 10 years ago and get input from the public. We want to know,'What do you want to see in your neighborhood?' so we can start working on the plan."

The mission of the Barrington's comprehensive plan is to establish policies and implement strategies that will fulfill the consensus vision for the village.

Chairperson Ann Bush and Commissioners Dan Hogan and Ed McCauley, presided over the Sept. 15 meeting which was attended by village officials including, Village President, Karen Darch, Trustee, Beth Raseman and Village Manager, Jeff Lawler along with most department heads. 

Topics discussed by the board were the Cook and Station Plaza, façade and business grants, street fixtures, design guides for future development and historic site development.  The meeting was then turned over for questions and comments.

The main topic for community discussion was the village's current code, which restricts new structures to three stories. 

The board heard from Jonathon Knight, representing InDeck Development in Wheeling, which hopes to construct multi-use buildings on vacant land. He proposed that the board reconsider the three-story limitation on new structures.

Audience members offered opinions both for and against the ordinance with the majority against such changes.

An informal vote was taken on the following topics: Building height legislation, senior housing, medium density housing, the creation of more sidewalks and bikeways and bike racks.

Although the citizens were of different opinions on the topic of building heights and the density of future developments, most were in agreement about the creation of sidewalks, bikeways and racks, which were universally approved.

After the meeting, Lawler stressed that the gathering was an information-gathering event and that no official decisions will be made as a result. 

"We have an open mind as far as the comprehensive plan," he said. "We want to be forward thinking as to the next 10 years."

The next meeting will take place on Sept. 29 at 7:00 p.m.