Trustees refer Trimborn Farms zoning text amendment to Plan Commission to allow limited animal uses

Trustees on May 5 referred an application to the Plan Commission seeking a zoning text amendment to allow a limited‑animal use at Trimborn Farms for educational, research and simple recreation events.

A trustee who serves as the village representative on the Trimbor(n) Farms committee described the chicken‑coop proposal as one of several initiatives to generate revenue and support restoration at the site. "This is strictly for the Trimborn Farms initiative," the trustee said, stressing the referral would not change residential chicken rules.

The motion to refer the zoning‑text amendment (adjustments to park district and agricultural district sections) was seconded and approved by roll call. Staff told trustees that the referral begins the Plan Commission review and that subsequent applications could trigger additional approvals, public hearings and possible reimbursement agreements for professional review fees.

Staff later noted that many Trimbor(n) Farm applications (nine total, staff said) may require zoning text changes or reimbursement agreements to cover village planner, attorney or engineer time; staff cautioned applicants about potential professional fee exposures and suggested reimbursement agreements would be used to recover consultant costs.

The Plan Commission will review and make a recommendation to the board; trustees and staff emphasized the referral was an early step in a multi‑stage review process.