VILLAGE OF BARRINGTON HILLS
PLAN COMMISSION
JANUARY 12, 2009
The regular meeting of the Village of Barrington Hills Plan Commission was called to order by Chairman Bosworth at 7:35 p.m.
Commission Members Present: Kenneth Bosworth, Chairman
George Gottlieb, arrived at 8:05
Peter Grande
James O’Donnell
Julie Joyce
Joseph Messer
David M. Stieper
Absent: Lou Anne Majewski
Patrick Hennelly
PREVIOUS MINUTES: Commissioner Messer made the motion, seconded by Commissioner Stieper, to approve the December 8th Minutes as presented. Motion carried.
STORM WATER MANAGEMENT: The Village is considering an amendment of its current Storm Water Management Ordinance. The Village Engineer provided the Plan Commission with a comparison of county-wide storm water ordinances for Cook, Kane, Lake and McHenry Counties. The Village Engineer made the comment that when comparing these counties, no two are the same, and so the following was found:
· Cook County does not have a storm water ordinance and so the Village Code would apply, whereas the Lake or McHenry County codes would manage and review residential permits.
· Kane County showed no interest in working in Barrington Hills.
With these findings, the following summary was suggested for determining amendments.
The Village can do one of two things when managing its storm water system:
1. Practice a watershed by watershed approach, where the Village would continue to apply storm water management practices as they pertain to each county that the watershed resides; or
2. Adopt an existing county-wide storm water ordinance.
The Village Engineer commented that he does not recommend the first approach because of the long review time. He went further to say that if the Village does choose this approach, however, each review would require an intergovernmental agreement with the county that the watershed resides. Moreover, if the Village chooses an already established storm water management ordinance, then Lake County is the recommendation. He added that Lake County is the longest, most technical and frequently used ordinance.
A comment in regard to the Clean Water Act was made by Nancy Schumm-Burgess, BACT, who stated that the Village has an advantage if they go with Lake County’s more stringent code because it has more water-protecting resources. Village Administrator, Robert Kosin clarified that because Cook County does not qualify, the Village should opt to use Lake County’s storm water ordinance, as Barrington Hills is the only municipality that does not enforce this ordinance. The Village Engineer stated that if the Village chooses to go with Lake County’s storm water ordinance, it will have to get their approval and the Village will have to implement and enforce regulations, with reviews to be completed by a P.E. licensed engineer; a practice similar to the Village septic system code.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING: Agenda item 3.2 International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) -- Recognition was presented first. One half hour before the meeting, the Chairman attended a meeting with Mr. Dave Toeppen, Illinois liaison for IDA, regarding the Village’s interest in the IDA Dark Sky Community program, a certification program that would allow the Village to hold the title “Dark Sky Community”. The Plan Commission has been working with Mr. Toeppen on the prospect of becoming the second Dark Sky Community in the world, behind Flagstaff, Arizona, and the first Dark Sky Community “East of the Mississippi”. Chairman Bosworth reported that due to certain criteria such as the lack of streetlights and commercial sites, Barrington Hills has a head start above other communities toward achieving the title.
Trustee Knoop asked how proactive IDA is in its effort to promote its message. Chairman Bosworth answered with Mr. Toeppen’s comments on the resistance that was met throughout IDA’s first 20 years. He went further to say that today’s generation is more receptive to the “green” movement and the Dark Sky initiative falls under this topic. He also mentioned that people today better grasp the reality that light pollution is not only a growing concern, but is the easiest remedied type of pollution.
Commissioner Gottleib joined the meeting at 8:05 pm.
Trustee Knoop posed the question of how the Village can officially become applicants for IDA’s community program. It was determined that Mr. Kosin would speak to the Village Attorney before giving consideration to this certification opportunity.
Commissioner Joyce voluntarily researched two municipalities that are associated with the Dark Sky Community Program and shared her findings. She spoke to John Graham from Flagstaff, Arizona whose community holds the title of “World’s First Dark Sky Community”. She asked what Flagstaff is currently doing to promote its dark skies. Mr. Graham supplied her with a list of special events held to celebrate their 50th anniversary of the first lighting ordinance ever enacted. Mr. Graham also mentioned that his community’s best asset is the dark sky and educating the community about good lighting practices is the most effective tool for promotion and regulation.
The second community Joyce researched was Borrego Springs, California, who is also considering becoming the second Dark Sky Community. No additional information associated with this community was found.
Agenda item 3.1 “Draft Lighting Ordinance” was presented second. An Ad Hoc Draft Lighting Committee that was formed at the November 2008 Plan Commission meeting, and have met several times to discuss issues associated with exterior lighting and to begin developing a draft ordinance. The draft derived from a conservative model to allow for material to be taken out during planning and editing. The Chairman shared with the Commission that the draft lighting ordinance will the first of its kind concerning residential lighting. He stated that the earliest a draft will be before the ZBA would be in March 2009.
Commissioner Steiper said that the Chairman of the ZBA gave insight to the Ad Hoc Committee about how to present the draft. From this discussion, the following questions emerged:
· A draft that is a short summary with a separate regulatory component that could be enforced per the Building Department.
· A draft that would allow for flexibility as technology advances.
· A draft that is long and conservative or short and sweet.
Commissioner Messer said that he thinks it is important to take a look at what is happening in the Village before defining terms and regulations.
Commissioner Grande supported the concept of the lighting ordinance to include more about the ill effects that light pollution can have on human health and the environment. Commissioner Gottlieb mentioned that sensor motion lights for security should be promoted.
It was brought up that the Village should promote the lighting ordinance in local papers, the community forum website and brought to the attention of other organizations. Commissioner Grande recommended that there are two separate issues concerning this matter: 1) the Dark Sky initiative and IYA2009, and 2) the draft lighting ordinance. He went further to suggest that the Village should be the source for all Dark Sky and IYA matters, while the Plan Commission should be the body responsible for promoting the draft lighting ordinance. Commissioner Messer corresponded with Gottlieb by stating that if the Village and its respective Plan Commission is to promote the night sky and a lighting ordinance, then now is the time to begin using proper terms such as “tree lighting” and “ordinance,” so that the public is fully aware of the Village’s mission.
Trustee Knoop reminded the Commission of his extended efforts to support both IYA and the ordinance by writing about it twice in the Village Newsletter. It was proposed that President Abboud and Trustee Knoop would send out a community-wide letter in April, perhaps nearing Arbor Day that would clearly define the Village’s involvement with the Dark Sky movement.
TRUSTEE’S REPORT: Trustee Knoop updated the Commission on Village matters concerning, 1) the Police Pension Board Organization, and 2) the text amendments for the ZBA meeting, which will bring forward:
· Easements: road vs. platted public rights of way
· Definition of “Agriculture”: as it applies to a principal and accessory use in R1 zoning district
o Legal Review Committee to look at the definition of “Agriculture” from a municipality standpoint
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, a motion to Adjourn was made by Commissioner Stieper and seconded by Commissioner Grande at 9:08 pm.