Barrington Plan Commission rejects 21-unit condo proposal

Commissioners cite density concerns and say project doesn't fit neighborhood character

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The Barrington Plan Commission has rejected a proposal to build a three-story, 21-unit condominium building near the Foundry of Barrington, citing overwhelming public opposition over concerns about density, traffic, and the project not fitting the character of the existing single-family home neighborhood.

Why it matters

The decision is a setback for the developer, but the plan still has a chance to be approved by the village board, which has gone against the commission's recommendations in the past. The case highlights ongoing tensions in Barrington over balancing new development with preserving the character of existing neighborhoods.

The details

The 1.63-acre site proposed for the condos contains wetlands and would retain around 60% open space. The developer argued the building would provide a transition between commercial uses on Northwest Highway and the single-family homes to the north and east. However, neighbors strongly opposed the project, saying their streets are narrow, lack sidewalks, and already have issues with cut-through traffic. Commissioners agreed the 21-unit density was too high for the area.

  • The Barrington Plan Commission rejected the proposal in a 4-1 vote on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.

The players

HAD Enterprises LLC

The petitioner and developer behind the proposed 21-unit condominium project.

Michael Caldwell

The project engineer who spoke on behalf of HAD Enterprises LLC.

Tristan Bishop

A resident who opposed the plan, citing concerns about traffic and safety on the narrow streets.

Susan Dodson

A resident who called the existing neighborhood a "hidden gem" and said the density increase was "irresponsible."

Dan Hogan

The Plan Commission chairman, who cast the lone vote in support of the project, arguing it was an appropriate residential transition from the busy Northwest Highway.

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What they’re saying

“It is scary living there when people don't follow stop signs.”

— Tristan Bishop, Resident (dailyherald.com)

“We're rural. Our neighborhood has been rural for 100 years. Many of us are there because we chose that neighborhood based on its privacy, based on its quietness. To make that big a density change is so irresponsible.”

— Susan Dodson, Resident (dailyherald.com)

“I do think that it is trying to shoehorn something that is bigger and denser than really fits into this space.”

— David Holtermann, Commissioner (dailyherald.com)

“To me, it's the volume. Twenty-one is too many in this space for me.”

— Robert Windon, Commissioner (dailyherald.com)

“I do believe that overall a residential development here is an appropriate transition between Northwest Highway, which is a busy, loud, four-lane highway, and single-family homes.”

— Dan Hogan, Commission Chairman (dailyherald.com)

What’s next

The proposal now moves to the Barrington Village Board for consideration, after the Plan Commission's rejection. The village board has previously gone against the commission's recommendations on development decisions.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions in Barrington between new development and preserving the character of existing neighborhoods. While the developer argued the condos would provide an appropriate transition, the Plan Commission and residents overwhelmingly rejected the project's density as incompatible with the surrounding single-family homes.