As we seek to obtain the proper building permits to bring the barn "up to code" we have met several surprises.
1. Since the barn is now a commercial building, we cannot do the required work ourselves, but must hire professional contractors.
2. The county inspector is requiring far more than we initially understood would be required. At this point, the county is not looking at us "remodeling" and bringing the barn up to code for safety and ADA accessibility, but that we are a full fledged industrial-commercial building needing to meet all required DeKalb County codes for a new commercial building. The plans we submitted meet Illinois State codes. The county codes are more stringent. We are currently engaging MEPs (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) contractors to determine what is required to meet county codes.
3. The health department denied our variance request to install a holding tank rather than a new septic field for the barn, unless as a "last resort." We are currently working with a county approved & certified plumbing and septic contractor to determine if a holding tank is indeed a "last resort" because of all the mature trees and root systems.
4. Although the county is within its right to require us to meet all its codes for an industrial commercial building, we believe it is unreasonable and excessive for what we do and how often we do it.
PRAYER REQUESTS
* The Lord to work in the hearts and minds of the county staff, contractors and us to find mutually agreeable, reasonable, attainable solutions.
* Wisdom
* Peace - these "surprises" are wearing on our relationships and nerves. We are frustrated and exasperated at the different answers we get.
* Patience & Endurance - this is obviously not moving nearly as fast as we thought, hoped or would like. But, God's timing is perfect.
*People - the Lord would provide the right people at the right time for the right jobs
*Joy- we would continue to serve the Lord, kids and families with joy as we prepare for Alice in Wonderland Jr!
Our request for a Special Use was unanimously approved by the DeKalb County Board on June 17. We are currently waiting to obtain the building permits to complete the upgrades to the red barn to meet commercial codes.
In October 2025, we received a notice from DeKalb County stating that we were operating an event venue on our private property, it is a violation of county code and we must cease and desist. We quickly met with county staff to determine what code was being violated, after 5 years of running Red Barn on the property. Basically, we are using an agricultural building for a non-agricultural use and that is not allowed without a special permit to do so. There is also a big concern about safety. The county needs to be sure the public is safe on the property.
After our meeting in October, the county graciously allowed us to finish our performances of Annie Jr but afterwards Red Barn was not allowed to "operate" audition, rehearse, or perform on the farm. While we were working with the county to determine what permits needed to be filed, Red Barn rented a local facility to rehearse and perform because developing Christlike character on and off stage can happen anywhere, not just in a barn.