VILLAGE OF BARRINGTON HILLS

PLAN COMMISSION MEETING

SEPTEMBER 8, 2008

The regular meeting of the Village of Barrington Hills Plan Commission was called to order by Chairman Bosworth at 7:30 p.m.

Commission Members Present: Kenneth Bosworth, Chairman

                                                            George Gottlieb *

                                                            Peter Grande

                                                            Patrick Hennelly

                                                            Julie Joyce

                                                            Lou Anne Majewski

                                                            Joseph Messer

                                                            James O’Donnell

                                                            David M. Stieper

                                           Absent:      (none)

The Attendance Sheet is attached and made part of these Minutes.

PREVIOUS MINUTES: Commissioner Stieper made the motion, seconded by Commissioner Hennelly, to approve the August 11^th Minutes.  During a discussion of that motion, it was agreed to include the word “or” between the words “annual” and “greater” in Item 18 on Page 4.  Motion was carried to approve the corrected minutes.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING ORDINANCE:  Chairman Bosworth advised that the Plan Commission has been directed by the Board of Trustees to review and edit the previously proposed exterior lighting ordinance drafted in 1997, ultimately to make a recommendation to the Zoning Board of Appeals for their consideration.  There were two representatives of the Village Engineer’s office present for questioning, Daniel Strahan and Arthur Penn. 

Arthur Penn reviewed their July 30^th memo in which they advised that the former draft was used as a starting point for regulation of exterior lighting.  In addition, the Village Attorney Gerald Callaghan provided a list of text amendments and the Barrington Area Conservation Trust furnished information from the International Dark Sky Organization.

Mr. Penn reviewed the additional definitions to be included in Section 5-2-1.  He talked specifically about the use of luminaries as a method of determining guidelines for brightness rather than wattage.  He distributed several types of bulbs using this new standard.  He also discussed various methods for preservation of Dark Sky, such as cut-off fixtures.

(* Commissioner Gottleib joined the meeting at 8:10 p.m.)

In a discussion on the subject, the Commissioners expressed many of their concerns on this proposal, including:

• Whether it would only address the issue of light intruding from a neighboring lot or if it would also include visibility of such lighting.
• The longer this issue is not addressed, the more there will be more opposition to it.
• Whether there is likelihood this new proposal would also be rejected as was the 1997 draft which, among other reasons, was thought to be too restrictive.
• Excessive Holiday lighting
• Landscape lighting, including lights in trees
• Sodium lights.
• Lighting of outdoor arenas
• Barn lights
• Lighting of tennis courts, basketball courts and other recreational type areas.
• Enforcement.
• Standards for new homes
• Should there be an amortization clause for existing lighting to phase out its use over a period of several years.

Though several Commissioners had their concerns, there was a consensus among the Commission to proceed with the review.  Consideration was given to taking a poll of the residents, either with a direct post card or inclusion in the next Newsletter.

Chairman Bosworth asked the Commissioners to study the proposal and be prepared at the next meeting to discuss their concerns in further detail.

OTHER BUSINES:  It was agreed to cancel the regularly scheduled October 13^th Plan Commission meeting as it was to be held on Columbus Day, and reschedule a Special Meeting of the Plan Commission on Wednesday, October 15^th, at 7:30 p.m. 

Chairman Bosworth advised of a Plan Commission and Elected Official Workshop being held at the Makray Memorial Golf Club on September 13^th and 27^th.  The fee is $80, which would be reimbursed by the Village of Barrington Hills.  He urged all Commissioners that could attend to do so.

TRUSTEE’S REPORT:  Mr. Kosin reported that the Board has approved the Commission’s recommendation to approve the Halloran Subdivision.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned after being so moved and seconded.

Respectfully submitted,

Lou Anne Majewski

Recording Secretary