Residents Discuss Sidewalks, Stop Signs

It was a full house at Village Hall on Wednesday night for the final neighborhood meeting regarding the 2010 Comprehensive Plan.

Residents who live in the neighborhoods of Oaks of Barrington, Park Barrington, Barrington Highlands and the unincorporated college streets were invited to attend.  Those who couldn't make it to the Sept. 1 neighborhood meeting were also welcomed.  

One of the main topics of discussion was creating additional sidewalks throughout town.  Brooke Jones, Village of Barrington Development Planner, explained that some new sidewalks are on their way.  The village was given $250,000 by IDOT through the Safe Routes to School Program for the construction of new sidewalks along Summit Street.  It's estimated that they will be built in 2011. 

Another main concern residents had was the amount of traffic that will likely be brought in when Orchard Church opens on Grove Avenue in December.  Sandy Brown, a resident of the Park Barrington neighborhood, raised the issue of installing a four way stop sign.  

"I know we've had the discussion with Orchard Church coming in, about bringing in more stop signs," she said.  "There is still not a stop sign on Cornell going towards Barrington Road. We need to make sure we have those stop signs in place."

Village Manager Jeff Lawler explained that process for installing stop signs in Barrington isn't simple. 

"We can't arbitrarily just put up stop signs, there is a process that we're required to go through.  A study has to be done to determine the need to have a stop sign," he said. " Once the traffic increases, that would be a good time for us to take a look at that intersection, count the vehicles and make that determination," Lawler explained.  

One resident raised concerns about the condition of Summit Street.  It is the only through street connecting the village to the unincorporated section of town, and is littered with pot holes.  

Barrington Township Supervisor Gene Dawson explained that the funding to re-pave the road just isn't available.

"We have been talking about sharing of costs for Summit Street [with the Village of Barrington] because it is a thoroughfare," he said.  "On the other hand, we are waiting for money from the state if we're ever able to pave it.  Your concerns are not unheard, it's a matter of having the money to do it." Dawson explained.

The Village of Barrington Comprehensive Plan is revised every ten years.  Suggestions and opinions collected from the eight neighborhood meetings will be reviewed in the coming months.  Village officials hope to have the revised plan to the Village Board for approval by early 2011.