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Reflecting on Our Third Proposal Post-ZBA Hearing
- Chris Y
- Feb 22
- 10 min read
Updated: Apr 18
This is the third text amendment proposal we’ve submitted for Little Ducky Flower Farm, and while it’s been met with rejection, we remain committed to our mission of creating a sustainable, small-scale agricultural space that can be shared with the Barrington Hills community. Over the past year, we’ve attempted submitting text amendments for special use route twice. Unfortunately, those proposals were also rejected.
Just as the board dedicates time to these hearings, we’ve also spent significant time putting together proposals, submitting it, and rallying support. It’s important that we all engage in the process with a shared respect for the time and energy invested. At last night’s meeting, a board member again suggested forming a task force to further study the issue. This is a positive step forward, but we’re left wondering: what is the timeline for this process? We’ve lost the 2024 summer and fall U-Pick season, it looks like Spring 2025’s tulips will face the same fate.
It’s challenging to sit through public hearings where ZBA board members make accusations, such as implying that we’ve been "knowingly operating under the radar." After receiving the public comment packet today and reviewing the letters, it's clear that many of the concerns raised are rooted in misunderstandings or misstatements about the true intent of our proposal/ what our proposal actually entails. What’s even more concerning is that a small minority of voices seem to hold disproportionate influence in Barrington Hills, despite the strong support from many others in the community who recognize the value of responsible, small-scale farming.
In the spirit of transparency, we’ve summarized below 18 key points from the public comment letters that we believe misrepresent or misunderstand the proposal. These are not word-for-word quotes, but we aim to correct the record, ensure future discussions are based on accurate information, and address questions raised, while still respecting the differing opinions in the community. The public comment letters from the points highlighted below can be read here*.
"This is not about agriculture, it is about running a business"
Margaret and David Hirsch
The amendment is not about transforming the farm into a business but clarifying that small-scale sales of agricultural products grown on-site are an extension of farming activities, not commercial retail. The goal is to allow local farms to sell products they grow directly to the community while maintaining the rural character of Barrington Hills.
"The sale of agricultural products, no matter how or where they are grown, has no place on a five-acre R-1 residential parcel"
Glenn W. Reed
The proposal allows for the sale of products grown entirely on-site, without introducing commercial businesses or altering residential zoning. We seek to clarify that such sales are an integral part of agricultural use, which is already permitted, and are intended to support sustainable, small-scale farming.
"This would be inherently commercial in nature"
Glenn W. Reed
The sale of products on the property is part of the agricultural operation, not a commercial venture. No retail-style elements like signage or permanent displays are allowed. This is simply a way for local farms to share what they grow directly with the community.
"Farm stands have their place, but not in Barrington Hills"
Glenn W. Reed
The proposal does not seek to create a permanent farm stand or retail-style operations. Instead, it focuses on small-scale, on-site sales that align with the farm's existing operations. The goal is to provide a controlled, low-impact experience that fits seamlessly with Barrington Hills’ rural character, ensuring the farm continues to contribute to the community without disrupting the peaceful, residential nature of the area.
"The proposal will lead to corn mazes, U-pick pumpkin farms, petting zoos, etc."
Pamela A. Cools
This is a concern based on a misunderstanding of the proposal’s scope. The focus is strictly on a small-scale, family-run, appointment-only model where visitors can engage with the farm to purchase locally grown produce. This model is designed to be simple, controlled, and low-impact, fitting naturally with Barrington Hills' rural character while offering a sustainable and community-centered agricultural experience.
"The enterprise proposed by the petitioner with up to 160 people per day and dozens of cars would increase traffic and congestion."
David Meehan
The concern about traffic and congestion is based on a misunderstanding of the proposal’s scope. This proposal did not set any specific maximum for the number of participants as we wanted to give the board the power to determine what could be an acceptable number.
The proposal focused on controlled, low-impact experience, where small-scale, seasonal agricultural sales take place by appointment only and during reasonable daylight hours. Additionally, all parking had to be on-site. This ensures that visitors are limited and well-managed.
The proposal defined sales are an extension of the farm's natural operations (agriculture is a permitted use in Barrington Hills) and was designed to respect the residential character of Barrington Hills so that farms would integrate seamlessly with the community.
While this proposal does not introduce new regulatory provisions, the Village of Barrington Hills' code already has established clear parameters to prevent nuisance.
"The proposal will increase traffic and congestion"
Pamela A. Cools
The proposal includes operational measures to limit traffic, such as appointment-only visits, limited hours, and onsite parking management to prevent disruptions. The farm will manage traffic and parking to ensure that the neighborhood remains peaceful and quiet.
"The proposal conflicts with the Comprehensive Plan"
David Meehan, Curt Crouse, Pamela Cools, Margaret and David Hirsch, Glenn W. Reed
The proposal aligns with the Comprehensive Plan by promoting small-scale agriculture and maintaining Barrington Hills’ rural character. It does not seek to introduce commercial enterprises or disrupt the village’s peaceful atmosphere. It simply clarifies agricultural sales as a natural extension of farming to ensure farms can operate without unnecessary restrictions.
"The petitioner violated zoning laws, violated zoning laws for two years"
Margaret and David Hirsch, Larry and Mary Kay
The farm reached out to the village multiple times via email and in person before starting its operations for clarification. The village knew the intention of setting up a U-Pick. They sent along the code where it said Agriculture was permitted. The farm is 3 doors down from the village hall. The village allowed the farm to operate for 2 years/ 3 growing seasons. To remove ambiguity, the farm is now seeking a text amendment to explicitly define the sale of agricultural products as part of agricultural use. The letters sent to the village in February and March 2022 can be accessed via FOIA for transparency. In-person meetings with the village admin during this time was unfortunately not recorded.
"The proposal would undermine the peaceful enjoyment of one’s property"
Pamela A. Cools, D.D.S., Margaret and David Hirsch,
The proposal includes safeguards like no external signage, limited hours, appointment only, and traffic management to ensure that the farm’s operations do not disrupt neighbors. It’s about low-impact, seasonal agricultural sales that fit seamlessly with the village’s residential nature.
"The applicant's business is an illegal entity"
Larry and Mary Kay
It is important to clarify that the farm complied fully with the cease-and-desist order and have been working with the village by submitting these proposals to ensure our operations align with the village’s vision. The proposal seeks to clarify how small-scale farms can exist in the village, not to circumvent any existing regulations."
"The farm is a 'Faux Farm' claiming agricultural tax breaks"
Curt Crouse
The USDA defines a farm as "any place from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the year."
The farm operates in alignment with Barrington Hills' definition of agriculture and farming traditions. The farm is not a "Faux Farm" but a small-scale farming operation that is consistent with Barrington Hills’ values of local, sustainable farming. The farm grows over 50, 000 stems of cut flowers annually, using sustainable practices that prioritize the health of our soil, the environment, and the community. Additionally, the farm grows about 2000 sq ft of vegetables for personal use.
Sarah is a trained Master Urban Farmer from the University of Illinois, having completed a comprehensive certification program in urban agriculture. This training includes sustainable farming practices, soil health, and community engagement—skills that directly benefit our farm and the Barrington Hills community.
Chris aka Farmer Yams has completed the Floret workshop, a highly regarded training program in the flower farming industry, focused on best practices for flower farmers.
Both Sarah and Chris have attended the Midwest Cut Flower School, taught by the Center for Agrarian Learning at McHenry County College.
Both Sarah and Chris participate in Illinois Specialty Growers Association conferences to stay up-to-date with industry trends, new growing techniques, and to network with other farmers.
Our memberships with the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers, Central States Dahlia Society, American Dahlia Society, Cook County Farm Bureau, and Illinois Farm Bureau further demonstrate our commitment to producing the highest quality flowers using sustainable and responsible farming practices. This dedication ensures that we continually implement innovative and effective methods, producing premium flowers that are grown with care for our community, all while respecting the traditions of Barrington Hills. We remain steadfast in our commitment to sustainable, small-scale agriculture that adds value to the village’s agricultural legacy.
In addition to our focus on flower farming, we are also dedicated to responsible livestock stewardship. We hold memberships with the North American Babydoll Southdown Sheep Association (NABBSAR), and the Vallais Blacknose Sheep Society (VBSS). These organizations help us stay connected to the larger community of responsible livestock farmers, providing valuable resources, networking opportunities, and industry updates.
We actively participate in annual conferences and workshops on livestock management, which enable us to refine our practices and ensure the highest standards of animal care. These opportunities allow us to learn from experts and other farmers, improving the quality of life for our animals and enhancing the sustainability of our farm operations. Our commitment to ongoing education in livestock management ensures that we implement best practices in animal welfare, breeding, and land stewardship, further supporting the values of responsible farming in Barrington Hills.
Question: "What is 'onsite traffic management'?"
Kim Van Fossan
Onsite traffic management refers to simple measures such as staggering visit times to prevent overcrowding and ensuring that visitors park in designated areas on the farm property and not on main roads or blocking neighbors’ driveways. The goal is to keep the flow of traffic organized and avoid disruptions in the neighborhood. It's not about creating a complex system but rather ensuring a smooth, low-impact experience for everyone.
"This will lead to traffic chaos and accidents!"
Kim Van Fossan
We’ve carefully planned our proposal to mirror our previous operation to ensure minimal impact on the neighborhood, including appointment-only visits, limited hours, and on-site parking management to avoid disruptions. If we were to follow the line of thinking here, we might as well say that all delivery trucks should stay out of Barrington Hills, ride-share services like Uber and Lyft shouldn’t be allowed to drive through our roads, and perhaps even postal delivery should be halted for fear of causing traffic chaos and accidents. After all, if we really start policing every single form of traffic, it’s not hard to see how it could escalate into something rather absurd. The reality is, our farm, the model for this proposal, is not some bustling retail business—it’s a small, controlled agricultural operation that is designed to fit seamlessly into the community’s rural character. We’re not running a highway for commercial trucks, and we certainly don’t expect a traffic nightmare. When the farm was open to the public, there were zero traffic complaints.
"I object to the LDF Petition change in Zoning, I want our Village of Barrington Hills to remain only Residential"
Raynette Boshell
The proposal does not seek a change in zoning. Instead, it aims to clarify the definition of agriculture to allow small-scale sales, which are already permitted under the current zoning code with certain conditions. No change to the residential zoning designation is being proposed.
"The farm was running a business without proper permitting"
Bridget Fiandaca
It’s important to clarify that the farm was not operating without proper permitting. Before we began any operations, we reached out to the Village of Barrington Hills in person and via email to confirm what was permissible under the zoning code. Agriculture is a permitted use and we operated under that. When we received the cease-and-desist notice, we took immediate action to ensure full compliance, which is why we are now seeking a text amendment for clarity in the village code. The purpose of this amendment is not to retroactively justify anything, but to provide clear guidelines for all small-scale agricultural activities in Barrington Hills, ensuring that they align with the village’s rural character.
We have always operated with the intention to respect the village’s zoning laws and to maintain a low-impact, community-oriented farm. These proposals seek to remove any ambiguity and ensure that small farms like ours can thrive in harmony with the village’s values.
"They knew at the time of purchase that the property wasn’t zoned for commercial farm usage"
Bridget Fiandaca
When we purchased the property, we were aware of the zoning and the residential character of Barrington Hills. Our intention was to engage in small-scale, sustainable agriculture that aligns with the village’s values of preserving open space, maintaining its rural character, and supporting agricultural activities, all while being mindful of responsible land use.
We did our due diligence by consulting with the village and seeking clarification on the zoning rules before starting any operations. Agriculture is a permitted use. It was only after receiving the cease-and-desist notice that we realized there was ambiguity in the village code regarding farms selling direct to consumers on site. That’s why we are now working to amend the code, not to bypass it, but to ensure clarity for all small farms in Barrington Hills, including ours. We are committed to preserving the rural character of the village while allowing small-scale agricultural practices to thrive, and this text amendment simply seeks to address the lack of clarity that currently exists in the zoning code.
"No to agriculture or commercial retail business in BH residential zoning"
Zach & Micca Swiatek
Agriculture is a permitted use in Barrington Hills.
The proposal does not seek to introduce commercial retail businesses into Barrington Hills. Rather, it seeks to clarify that small-scale, on-site agricultural sales, such as U-pick, are part of the agricultural use already permitted in residential zoning. This is not about creating a commercial business, but about allowing local farms to share what they grow directly with the community, while preserving the rural, residential nature of Barrington Hills.
Closing Thoughts
It’s important to note that this list, taken from written public comments, does not include the statements made during the public hearing, as the meeting audio and transcript are not available at the time of this writing. We are committed to continuing this conversation in a respectful, transparent way, and our goal is not to dismiss opposing views, but to ensure all discussions are based on accurate information.
We are proud of our farm and the role it plays in preserving the agricultural heritage of Barrington Hills. Our farm provides a space where families can connect with nature, learn about sustainable practices, and enjoy the beauty of flowers grown with care. By continuing this legacy, we hope to ensure that Barrington Hills remains a place where small-scale, responsible farming can thrive for generations to come. As this process moves forward, we hope all voices will be heard, leading us to a solution that benefits everyone. We are dedicated to preserving Barrington Hills’ rural character while ensuring small-scale, sustainable agriculture can thrive in harmony with our community's values.
Thank you for taking the time to read and reflect on the facts with us. We look forward to working together to find common ground so that Barrington Hills local farms can flourish.
*Please note that the full public comment packet can be requested directly from the Village Clerk. We are not hosting the packet on our website, as some letters include personal photos, including those of children, that individuals have shared as part of their testimonies. For privacy reasons, we want to ensure these materials are handled appropriately.
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