Update:

A GoFundMe has been set up for the Area N Legal Defend Fund.  To learn more and contribute, please visit:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/area-n-legal-defense-fund?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=sms&utm_source=customer

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As residents of the South Barrington community, we strongly oppose the development of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church on Bartlett Road and Route 59 (referred to as “Area N”).  This land was originally zoned residential and the construction of the Plymouth Christian Church detracts from the Village and park district of South Barrington’s overall mission to preserve the unique natural areas of South Barrington for the benefit of all residents of South Barrington.  The development of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Chruch will undermine the wetland and upland areas to allow for both conservation and enjoyment of this beautiful natural space.

This development gives rise to increased traffic and security concerns for neighboring communities. We understand the current proposal would construct an entrance onto Acadia Drive for church traffic which is a safety concern for residents of the Woods of South Barrington community. Acadia Drive has no sidewalks (like most South Barrington communities) and is a quiet community with families and children outside playing. The increased traffic presents a nuisance and safety concern for this community in particular. 

This petition was put together to demonstrate the overwhelming opposition from the residents of South Barrington to this development.  Our expectation is that the Village and the park district have the residents’ best interest in mind and will ensure that the land will remain zoned for a park or residential single family homes, as it was originally intended or allow it to remain a wetland in accordance with the overall mission of the South Barrington park district to preserve open spaces. 

We are requesting the Village and the South Barrington park district to do the following:

1.  Allow Area N to remain a wetland and preserve the open space in line with the South Barrington park district’s overall mission.

2.  If Area N will be sold for a development, access should not be granted through Acadia Drive.   Acadia Drive is within a residential community that has no sidewalks and permitting access to the development through the residential community, without sidewalks (the Woods of South Barrington), presents a nuisance and would be grossly negligent on behalf of the Village and the South Barrington park district.  There is a walking trail (that is accessed from Acadia Drive or feeds residents onto Acadia Drive) where the access would be granted and children and residents are outside after school, on weekend and holidays.  These are all peak worship times.  The school also presents this same safety issues at the end of the school day where children who live in the residential community are walking home from being dropped off by the school bus.  The residential community should remain residential and not be subject to increased development traffic.  As repeatedly noted, this is a significant safety concern.  The safety of our children and residents should be top priority for the Village and the South Barrington park district.  

3.  Further we request access not be granted on Bartlett road at all to preserve the surrounding residential communities from the same safety concerns.