New horse boarding rules in Barrington Hills survive veto

After years of debate, Barrington Hills residents finally have rules regarding the number of horses they can board on their property.

Village trustees on Monday voted to overturn Village President Marty McLaughlin's veto of boarding regulations first approved by the board in December.

The new rules allow one boarded horse per acre on properties 10 acres or smaller. For properties larger than 10 acres, two boarded horses per acre would be allowed.

There are no properties in the village under 5 acres.

McLaughlin vetoed the measure in January, stating that he believes it was written to benefit specific residents and not the village as a whole. He said he has heard repeated threats of litigation against the village should the rules be established.

"The temporary village attorney and special counsel has provided a clear opinion as to the jeopardy a change in the law can cause," McLaughlin said in his veto statement. "Yet, the majority of the board seems not to care."

Trustee Joe Messer said the new rules are the best solution for residents and he is confident they will withstand legal challenges.

"Legislative bodies are entitled to change the law at any time without fear of recrimination," Messer said. "(Residents should) rely on it. It is the law."

There are no limits on how many of their own horses property owners can keep.