VILLAGE OF BARRINGTON HILLS

PLAN COMMISSION

June 8, 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

                                                            Patrick Hennelly

                                                            Peter Grande

                                                            George Gottlieb

                                                            Julie Joyce

                                                            James O’Donnell

                                                            David Stieper, Chairman

                                     Absent:            Lou Anne Majewski

PREVIOUS MINUTES:  Commissioner O’Donnell made the motion, seconded by Commissioner Gottlieb, to approve the April 13^th Minutes as presented.  Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS DEFERRED / ADJOURN SINE DIE:  Commissioner Hennelly made the motion, seconded by Commissioner Grande, to adjourn the meeting sine die for the annual organizational meeting.

Deputy Clerk Dolores Trandel swore in David Stieper as the new Plan Commission Chairman and Kenneth Bosworth as a Plan Commissioner. 

ORGANIZATION OF NEW COMMISSION

Election of New Officers:

Vice Chairman: Commissioner Grande made the motion, seconded by       Commissioner Hennelly, to appoint Commissioner Kenneth Bosworth as Vice Chairman.  Motion carried by voice vote.

Secretary / Recording Secretary:  Commissioner Bosworth made the motion, seconded by Commissioner Hennelly to reappoint Commissioner Lou Anne Majewski as Secretary / Recording Secretary.  Motion carried by voice vote.

Time and Place of Regular Meetings:  It was the consensus of the Plan Commission to adopt the meeting schedule for the balance of 2009, as set forth in the annual calendar of Village meetings.  

Adoption of Policies:  Commissioner Bosworth made the motion, seconded by   Commissioner Hennelly, to approve the Policy Statement as presented.  Motion carried by voice vote.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:  Commissioner Bosworth proceeded with the review of the draft for the Exterior Lighting ordinance.

Commissioner Hennelly gave a presentation on lumens vs. wattage.  He explained that wattage is an indicator of how much energy is consumed whereas lumens reflect the amount of light being emitted.  He pointed out that there is a device with which to measure lumens.  He also made reference to compact fluorescents, which are energy efficient and economical but take time to reach full lighting capability especially in cold weather.  A fourth type of lighting is LED (light emitting diode), which is not available in retail yet and also temperature dependent, but not as severe as compact fluorescents.

Because of the complexity of the lighting issue, Commissioner Hennelly suggested the Commission seek professional guidance. 

The Commission reviewed photos taken by Nancy Schumm-Burgess, BACT, of homes and areas throughout the Village displaying various types and intensity of lighting.   She said for the most part the community was pretty dark, and that preservation should be their goal.  She thought the biggest infractions were schools.

Commissioner Bosworth briefly reviewed all of the sections in the proposed draft, and then proceeded to discuss in more detail several of these sections:

Section 3 – Applicability

• Conflict with Other Laws:  Consideration will be given to taking out (b) as there currently are no planned development districts within the Village.
• Exempt Lighting:
• (c)  The word “installed” will be replaced with “illuminated.”
• (d) Federal law dictates that all flags must be illuminated at night.  Sarah Kenney was asked to find out if that law specifies minimum lumens.
• (g) It was noted that a permit will be required from the Village for temporary outdoor lighting.
• Trustee Knoop asked if motion sensor lamps should be exempt as well.
• Prohibited Lighting
• (h)  Commissioner Joyce suggested including arbors. Chairman Stieper thought all of the non-essential lighting items should be either prohibited or restricted.  Trustee Knoop suggested deleting “… except as approved by the applicable Board or its designee.”  It was agreed to consider putting this item aside.
• (i) Delete “Lighting of trees, shrubs, flora or fauna” as it was included in Landscaping.

Section 4 – General Standards

• (1)  Commissioner said all of the items listed were defined terms.  Trustee Knoop thought there should be stronger intent to preserving and protecting Dark Sky.

Section 5 – Residential Lighting Standards

• (1)  Add the concept of Dark Sky.
• (3) (b) Commissioner Joyce thought it would be acceptable to have some decorative lighting with minimized angles.
• (3) (c) The question was raised as to how many landscape lights should be allowed and within what range of the property to prevent clustering. 
• (3) (d) Commissioner Joyce suggested including home lighting in this section.  The Commission also questioned whether 10,000 lumens were too much or too little.  It was recommended that IDA (International Dark Sky Association) be asked for their recommendation as far as lumens per area. 

Commissioner Bosworth said this section didn’t cover lighting of trees upward.  Downward lighting would be prohibited with the 15 foot maximum height, shielding requirements, and specific lumens per acre.  He may consider making the lumens-per-acre stipulation less, such as a 50 foot radius or at any given point.

Section 6 – Non-Residential Lighting Standards

Commissioner Bosworth added 11. Special Uses to allow for the consideration that church steeples not be illuminated after a certain time of night. 

Section 7 – Amortization of Pre-Existing Non-Conforming Lighting

• (2) (c) Commissioner Bosworth said he would delete this item regarding the extinguishment and removal of lighting mounted on a utility pole intended to illuminate private property.

Commissioner Bosworth reiterated that the primary purpose of this proposed ordinance is to maintain the Dark Sky and control light trespass.

Trustee Knoop wanted the Commission to understand that the Village would not go forward with its application to the International Dark Sky Committee without the approval process started by the ZBA of this lighting ordinance.  He would prefer ZBA’s approval before submission.

It was agreed that the Ad Hoc Committee would meet within the next few weeks to finalize the draft, and that its consideration would be included on the July Plan Commission agenda.  Chairman Stieper added that the Commission has been grappling with completing the draft and how to make it as user friendly as possible.  He is proud of the work that has been done to date and the effort expended to protect the Dark Sky. 

TRUSTEE’S REPORT:  Trustee Knoop advised of a special Board of Trustees meeting held June 8^th approving a new health care plan for Village employees. 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:47 p.m. after being so moved and seconded.

Respectfully submitted,

Lou Anne Majewski

Recording Secretary